William H. Machen

Not much detail can be found concerning the details of the Machen's loss, but it was sunk in a nighttime collision with the Maid of Stirling on July 7, 1942.  Only short articles in local papers even mention it.  There was no loss of life, all 34 men got safely into lifeboats and were towed back to shore by the Coast Guard.  

The Machen was owned by the Pocahontas Steamship Company, and under contract to the US Government at the time of the sinking, hauling coal and water up the coast from Norfolk VA to Portland, ME.  Most of the paperwork associated with the ship relate to Pocahontas seeking compensation from the government for the ship.

Specifications:

The ship type of this model had:
ONE SMOKESTACK, TWO SINGLE MASTS, THREE RAISED HULL ISLANDS,
Typical Dimensions of this type of ship:
Length: 355'
Beam: 48'
Draft: 17.7'

These ships were built in the hundreds in both the UK, the US and many other European countries between 1900 and 1940 and some remain in service to this day. They were able to serve and berth just about any size harbor, and often unloaded into lighters when there were no wharfs or quays available. They carried just about every conceivable cargo and sadly many were lost in convoy duty during the wars. They were the backbone of the merchant marine service and were served by three generations of sailors of all nationalities and services.

The Machen today rests on her port side in 300 feet of water off the Isle of Shoals.  All wooden sections of the wreck have rotted away, and the bridge contents now rest in the coal spilling out of the ship.  The stern gun is buried in the mud, and the galley area can be accessed only by squeezing between the steel deck beams.  The engine room is accessible, but has always been cloudy to the extent that visibility is quickly reduced to zero.