SINKING OF THE U.S.A.T DORCHESTER: On Wednesday, Feb. 3rd, 2021, Wreaths Across America will honor the American heroes known as “The Four Chaplains” with a special Facebook live event at 12 pm EST, from the Balsam Valley Chapel and tip lands located in Downeast Maine.
On Jan. 23, 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester left New York harbor bound for Greenland carrying over 900 officers, servicemen and civilian workers. The ship was transiting the Labrador Sea when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat (U-233) on Feb. 3, 1943.
The ship sank and 675 people on board lost their lives. Amidst the chaos to save 230 lives four chaplains guided soldiers trapped below deck to escape hatches and gave away their life jackets to save others on that fateful day. When the chaplains had done all they could, they linked arms to pray and sing hymns as the Dorchester slipped beneath the waves.
In this ceremony, participants will hear messages and stories about Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist) from Pennsylvania, Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish) from New York, Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed) from Ohio and Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic) from New Jersey, “The Four Chaplains.”
African American Coast Guardsman Charles Walter David Jr., from New York, jumped into icy Greenland waters from a nearby rescue ship, to save two men from drowning and then continuing to help rescue a total of 93 survivors from life-boats. After his heroic acts, 54 days later Charles Walter David Jr., succumbed to pneumonia stemming from those icy waters.
Today there is a USCGC Sentinel class cutter named the Charles David Jr. in his honor, which has its home port in Key West, Florida.
To view the live ceremony, visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/170854841480684
