Sylvania in Screven County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Sinking of the H.M.S. Otranto
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 4, 2020
1. The Sinking of the H.M.S. Otranto Marker
On September 25, 1918, the British troopship H.M.S. Otranto left New York carrying more than 1,025 U.S. soldiers and crewmen as part of a convoy headed to fight in Europe during World War I. Most of the soldiers onboard had trained at Fort Screven on Tybee Island. On October 6, nearing the Scottish coast in stormy seas, the Otranto was accidentally rammed by sister ship H.M.S Kashmir. In a desperate rescue attempt that saved over 500 lives, men jumped from the foundering Otranto onto the nearby British destroyer H.M.S. Mounsey. Approximately 470 soldiers and crew died, including nearly 130 from Georgia, the single greatest loss of life in troop transport during the war. Nearly a third of the soldiers from Georgia who lost their lives on the Otranto were from Screven and Berrien counties.
Erected 2017 by Georgia Historical Society, Georgia World War I Centennial Commission, and VFW Post 7116. (Marker Number 124-1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters •
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Location. 32° 45.02′ N, 81° 38.207′ W. Marker is in Sylvania, Georgia, in Screven County. Marker is at the intersection of West Ogeechee Street (Georgia Route 73) and North Main Street, on the left when traveling west on West Ogeechee Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sylvania GA 30467, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sylvania (a few steps from this marker); Screven County (a few steps from this marker); Wesleyanna Memorial Church (approx. 4 miles away); Jacksonborough (approx. 5.4 miles away); The 14th Corps (approx. 5.4 miles away); The Goodall House (approx. 5.4 miles away); Washington's Route (approx. 5.4 miles away); John Abbot (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sylvania.
Additional keywords. The Sinking of the H.M.S. Otranto
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 270 times since then and 53 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 4, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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