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Marine Heritage Database
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Typical Profile
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Tonnage
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2222
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Length(ft)
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266
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Breadth(ft)
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41.3
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Depth(ft)
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17.5
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Masts
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Decks
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Hull
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Shipwreck Details
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Description
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Story
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CARIBOU was torpedoed by U 69 on her regular run between Cape Breton and Newfoundland. Her escort, the minesweeper HMCS GRANDMERE had only short range ASDIC (sonar detection) and no radar. She did not detect the submarine but sighted it after the attack, giving chase with depth charges as the submarine dove. U 69's torpedo struck at 2:21 am hitting CARIBOU's boilers. She sank in four minutes. Survivors were left in overcrowded lifeboats and clinging to wreckage until dawn when GRANDMERE returned from its unsuccessful hunt for U 69. Only 101 of the 237 people aboard survived. The sinking caused alarm in the Canadian and Newfoundland public about the vulnerability of the St. Lawrence to submarine attack.
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Vessel Type
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Steam, Ferry
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Type of Event
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Loss
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Nature of Event
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Sank
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Cause of Event
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Enemy action
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Date of Wreck
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1942-10-14
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Location
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Cabot Strait
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Cargo
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Passengers
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Lives Lost
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136
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Voyage from
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North Sydney, Nova Scotia , Canada
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Voyage to
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Port aux Basques, Newfoundland
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Remarks
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Ship Construction
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Built at
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Schiedam, Netherlands
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Date
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October, 1925
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Official Number
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151660
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Registered at
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Saint John's, Newfoundland , United Kingdom
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Date
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Propulsion
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Unknown
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Rig
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Unknown
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Details
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