Local History
The Gulf Coast is rich with stories—some celebrated, others long forgotten. In this ongoing series, we’re shining a light on the lesser-known chapters of our region’s past: ghost towns, shipwrecks, lost communities, and remarkable events that shaped the coastline we call home. These stories aren’t just relics—they're reminders of the people, industries, and legacies that built the foundation of today’s Gulf South. In this edition, we revisit the dramatic World War II sinking of the SS Joseph M. Cudahy, a forgotten tragedy that unfolded just off the Florida coast…
On a quiet May morning in 1942, deep in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, tragedy struck just 125 miles west of Naples, Florida. The SS Joseph M. Cudahy, a 430-foot steam tanker loaded with crude and lubricating oil, was torpedoed by a German U-boat—marking one of the many little-known but deadly attacks that took place close to home during World War II. Today, its wreck rests on the sea floor—a silent time capsule, a war grave, and a potential environmental threat—largely forgotten by the general public. This is the story of the Cudahy, a ship that reminds us that even in the warm, serene waters of the Gulf Coast, history runs deep.
The Final Voyage
The SS Joseph M. Cudahy was built in 1921—an unarmed merchant vessel, 430 feet long, designed to transport large quantities of oil across U.S. waters. On its final voyage, it was carrying over 300,000 gallons of crude and lubricating oil from Houston, Texas, to Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. But on May 5, 1942, it never made it past the Florida coast.
The Attack in the Gulf
Just after dawn, the German submarine U-507 fired a torpedo that struck the ship midship. The explosion ignited a massive fire, setting the tanker ablaze. As the fire spread, the crew abandoned ship—but for many, it was too late. Out of 37 crewmembers, only 10 survived. They were eventually rescued by a U.S. Navy aircraft and brought to safety in Key West. As if ...
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August 27th, 2025
