Recently, I made a return trip to Bell Island, Newfoundland for some exciting wreck and mine diving with my friends from Ocean Quest Adventure Resort. We hatched a plan for a round-Newfoundland expedition in 2020. Included in that plan will be a visit to the U.S. Navy wrecks Truxtun and Pollux. The loss of these ships represents one of the greatest losses in U.S. Naval history. But the story of the sinkings and subsequent rescue efforts also brings to light the generosity and heroism of the Newfoundland people.
“The USS Pollux was a supply ship carrying general cargo for delivery to Argentia at the time of her grounding.” The American navy vessel USS Pollux was lost along the coast of the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland, on February 18, 1942. It wrecked during a storm on Lawn Point near St. Lawrence. There were 140 survivors and 85 fatalities. Maritime History Archive, Memorial University, PF-306.983. John Cardoulis Photograph Collection.
