The Tragic Tale of the SS Cygnet: Sunk by Italian Submarine Enrico Tazzoli in the San Salvador Bahamas

On August 10, 1941, the SS Cygnet, a British merchant ship, was sunk by the Italian submarine Enrico Tazzoli in the San Salvador Bahamas. The sinking resulted in the deaths of 91 people, including 17 children.

Swan Sinks: SS Cygnet Sunk by Italian Submarine Enrico Tazzoli San Salvador Bahamas in World War II (U-Boats in the Bahamas Book 2)

by Eric Wiberg

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3826 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	146 pages
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The Cygnet was a 4,948-ton cargo ship that was built in 1919. She was owned by the Hain Steamship Company of London and was on her way from Jamaica to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a cargo of sugar and molasses.

The Enrico Tazzoli was an Italian submarine that was launched in 1939. She was one of a class of six submarines that were known as the "Acciaio" class. The Tazzoli was armed with four torpedo tubes and one deck gun.

On the morning of August 10, the Tazzoli spotted the Cygnet steaming along the coast of San Salvador. The submarine submerged and closed to within torpedo range. At 8:45 AM, the Tazzoli fired two torpedoes at the Cygnet. Both torpedoes hit the ship, and she sank within minutes.

The sinking of the Cygnet was a major tragedy. The ship was carrying a large number of passengers, including women and children. Many of the passengers were Jamaican immigrants who were traveling to Canada to start a new life.

The Italian government expressed regret for the sinking of the Cygnet and offered compensation to the families of the victims. However, the British government refused to accept the compensation, saying that it was not enough.

The wreck of the Cygnet still lies on the seabed off the coast of San Salvador. The wreck is a popular dive site, and it is a reminder of the tragic events that occurred on August 10, 1941.

The Aftermath of the Sinking

The sinking of the SS Cygnet had a profound impact on the people of San Salvador. The island was a small and isolated community, and the loss of so many lives was a devastating blow. The island's economy was also badly affected, as the Cygnet was a major source of income for the local people.

In the years after the sinking, the people of San Salvador worked to rebuild their lives. They established a new fishing industry and began to welcome tourists to the island. Today, San Salvador is a popular tourist destination, and the wreck of the Cygnet is one of the island's most popular attractions.

The Legacy of the SS Cygnet

The sinking of the SS Cygnet is a reminder of the dangers of war. It is also a reminder of the courage and resilience of the people of San Salvador. The wreck of the Cygnet is a memorial to the victims of the sinking, and it is a reminder of the importance of peace.

Swan Sinks: SS Cygnet Sunk by Italian Submarine Enrico Tazzoli San Salvador Bahamas in World War II (U-Boats in the Bahamas Book 2)

by Eric Wiberg

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3826 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	146 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE