SS Marine Electric

Marine Electric
History
United States
Name
  • Musgrove Mills (1944–47)
  • Gulfmills (1947–1961)
  • Marine Electric (1961–83)
Owner
  • U.S. Maritime Commission (1944–47)
  • Gulf Oil Corp. (1947–61)
  • Marine Transport Lines Corp. (1961–83)
Port of registryWilmington, Delaware
BuilderSun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Chester, Pennsylvania
Yard number437
Laid down10 January 1944
Launched2 May 1944
Completed23 May 1944
Identification
FateFoundered, 12 February 1983
General characteristics
Class & typeModified Type T2-SE-A1 tanker
Tonnage
  • As built:
  • 10,448 GRT
  • 16,613 DWT
  • After 1962:
  • 13,757 GRT
  • 25,575 DWT
Length
  • As built:
  • 523 ft (159 m)
  • After 1962:
  • 605 ft (184 m)
Beam
  • As built:
  • 68 ft (21 m)
  • After 1962:
  • 75 ft (23 m)
PropulsionTurbo-electric, 6,000 shp (4,474 kW)
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Range12,600 nmi (23,300 km; 14,500 mi)

SS Marine Electric was a 605-foot bulk carrier that sank on 12 February 1983, about 30 miles off the coast of Virginia, in 130 feet of water. Thirty-one of the 34 crew members lost their lives due to hypothermia; the three survivors endured 90 minutes drifting in the frigid waters of the Atlantic. The wreck resulted in some of the most important maritime reforms in the second half of the 20th century. The tragedy tightened inspection standards, resulted in mandatory survival suits for winter North Atlantic runs, and helped create the now famous Coast Guard rescue swimmer program.

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