Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

H.M.S. Otranto and Fort Screven

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 12, 2022

1. H.M.S. Otranto and Fort Screven Marker

Inscription. On September 19, 1918, 574 US Army officers and enlisted men departed Fort Screven under the command of 2nd Lt Samuel E. Levy to board the British troopship H.M.S. Otranto. The ship departed New York carrying more than 1025 U.S. soldiers and crewmen bound for the battlefields of France.

On October 6, the Otranto was accidentally rammed by a sister ship near Islay, Scotland in heavy seas. A heroic rescue attempt saved over 500 lives. However, 470 men perished including 358 American servicemen. More than 130 casualties were from Georgia, including 11 from Chatham County. World War 1 officially ended November 11, 1918.

Erected by American Legion Post 154, Tybee Island, GA.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 6, 1918.

Location. 32° 1.294′ N, 80° 50.659′ W. Marker is on Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker can be reached from Meddin Drive north of Sprucewood Avenue/Gulick Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in the parking area of Battery Garland in Fort Screven. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tybee Island GA 31328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Loss of the HMS Otranto October 1918 (here, next

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to this marker); Henry Sims Morgan (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Henry Sims Morgan (a few steps from this marker); Tybee Island Wade-Ins (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Tybee Island Wade-Ins (a few steps from this marker); Fort Screven (a few steps from this marker); Tybee Island (within shouting distance of this marker); The Middle Passage and Tybee Island, Georgia (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 12, 2022

2. H.M.S. Otranto and Fort Screven Marker

Featured marker is second from left.

The H.M.S. Otranto image. Click for full size.

Bedford Lemere & Co. (Public Domain), 1909

3. The H.M.S. Otranto

The ship, seen here when it was a luxury cruise liner, was transformed into a merchant raider and troopship at the outbreak of World War I.

Red Cross workers search the wreckage for survivors image. Click for full size.

American Red Cross via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), October 1918

4. Red Cross workers search the wreckage for survivors

First burial of American victims image. Click for full size.

American Red Cross via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), October 11, 1918

5. First burial of American victims

Almost 200 U.S. servicemen were buried in trench graves in Kilchoman, Islay, Scotland, on a bluff overlooking the site of the tragedy. A second mass funeral was held a week later.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 18, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.