Largest German Surface Ship Sunk By American Surface Ship

[TheHistoryGuyChannel]

A few naysayers are presenting the absurd claim that the two vessels were somehow equally matched. That is false in every sense of the word. The Stier was a warship, armed with seven heavy guns, anti-aircraft guns, torpedo tubes, floatplanes, and 300 navy crew. It was a warship. Hopkins was a merchant vessel. Those trying to minimize the difference are being disingenuous at best.

[GordonKley-nzqm]

A seventeen year old sailor manned the deck gun when he came from below and saw the dead crew. He loaded aimed and fired. He continued while the ship sank beneath him and he died. Beyond bravery. A man I knew served on that ship and he cried for days while on the emergency raft.

[d.esanchez]

The Merchant Marine: I didn't hear no bell!

[lancerevell]

The US Merchant Marine never got the recognition they so richly deserved during snd after the war. Bravo, sailors! 😎👍

[marksasahara]

Here, here! Remember the U.S.S. Stephen Hopkins!

[genespell]

That is what is known as overwhelming odds. There were some expert marksmen onboard on that ship.

[bforman]

My great uncle was in the merchant marine and survived 5 ships being sunk from under him.
On the other side of the family, my grandmother was a tacker on the liberty ships.
Bless the greatest generation!

[AdmSlava]

The hero of this battle was Merchant Marine Academy Cadet Edwin O’Hara. He has a statute at the US Merchant Marine Academy.

[jackmessick]

My uncle was in the Naval Armed Guard, serving on the SS John Harvey, which exploded during an aerial raid on the port of Bari, Italy.

[OTGBob]

My grandfather was a Merchant Marine who regularly sailed off the coast of North Africa. While he never fought on a battle field, he did a job that required no less bravery but is often overlooked. Thank you for remembering.

[SquatchStomper]

Good old fashioned American determination

[zam]

That must of been intense
Desperate, tenacious, and deadly accuracy

[kielwilson]

Keep swinging till you hit the water. Words to live by! 😅

[tdhawk]

I’m retired USN with a love of WWII history, and I didn’t know about this. Thanks!

[Thecrownswill]

This, people, why when you’re backs against the wall, you never give up ! You don’t ACTUALLY know what’s going to happen, and as long as you try, you may come out on top!

[petermccollin]

Those sailors were hellaciously brave: given the option to surrender: they chose to Fight. Tough, proud, brave men.

[FuzzyMarineVet]

An interesting sea story. Thanks, Lance.

[holgernarrog]

The Stier was a merchant ship that was converted to a raider.

[laurencetitusoates]

It's not what you got but the way that you use

[jimsmith]

History that deserves to be remembered!