Sinking of USS President Lincoln-- Part 4: Just When They Thought They Were Safe

On May 31st, the USS President Lincoln was 500 miles from France and the general feeling aboard was that she was safe.  However, at 9 a.m., there was a huge explosion.  The ship had been hit by three torpedoes.

The German submarine U-90 had been following the wakes of the ships since midnight.  The defenders aboard the President Lincoln prepared to open fire, but the submarine had only used its periscope instead of surfacing.  It had fired and then immediately dove to a lower depth.

The Ryndam had tried to ram the sub, but the submarine dived even deeper.

All four ships had been steaming in a line.  The President Lincoln was chosen to receive the torpedoes because it was the largest ship.

--Cooter

The Sinking of the USS President Lincoln-- Part 3: Part of a Convoy

Continued from June 15.

The troop transport USS President Lincoln left Brest, France on May 29, 1918 with three other naval transports, the Susquehanna, Antigone and Ryndam and was escorted by French and American destroyers until dark on May 30 when they left to join a large convoy heading to France.

The American ships were hoping to pass safely through the war zone under cover of darkness.  That meant avoiding U-boats.

On the afternoon of May 30th, Memorial Day services were held.

The crew added to their vigil after the destroyers left.

--Cooter