Bussum

BUSSUM

Built by A. Vuijk and Zonen, Capelle an der Ijssel for owner Stoomvaart Mij Oostzee NV (Vinke and Co.), Amsterdam. She was completed during March 1917 as a 3636 ton steam merchant.
In March 1918 she was seized at New York by the US Government and then acquired by the US Navy and used as cargo transport USS Bussum. After one voyage she was transferred to the US Shipping Board in May 1918.
On 19 July 1918 she rescued survivors from the mined cruiser USS San Diego off Fire Island, New York.
She was returned to her Dutch owners during May 1919.
On 13 May 1940 she was bombed and badly damaged by German aircraft north of the West Hinder Lightship. Her crew abandoned ship and was picked up by the French torpedo boat Boucher. The ship was taken in tow by HMS Harrier, later relieved by HMS Lady Brassey and arrived at London on 18 May. After repairs she was returned to service in July 1940.
She did not have long left to serve as on 23 November 1940 she was sailing as part of Convoy SC-11 on voyage Montreal to Belfast with a cargo of 5200 tons of grain. She was under the command of Master L. Wulp when at 21.05 ours she was hit in the bow by a torpedo from U-100 about 90 miles west of Tory Island and later foundered. All of her crew was rescued by HMCS Ottawa.
U-100 was sunk on 17 March 1941 south-east of Iceland after being rammed and depth charged by the British destroyers HMS Walker and HMS Vanoc with the loss of 38 of her crew of 44.

Photograph belongs to Stuart Smith
Copyright A. Duncan, Gravesend, Kent.