Just a few months after the rescue operation of the SS Avila Star survivors in July 1942, German submarine activity remained intense, particularly targeting Allied convoys traveling from the United States to the British Isles and the Mediterranean Sea.

The City of Flint SOS

On January 26, 1943, in the afternoon, the Portuguese destroyer NRP Lima, docked at the port of Ponta Delgada, received orders to search for survivors of the American ship SS City of Flint, torpedoed the previous day. The SOS came from a location approximately 340 nautical miles southwest of São Miguel Island.

The Lima departed promptly. After nearly 24 hours of navigation, it reached the indicated area on January 27 and began its search.

An Unexpected Encounter

In the early morning of January 28, around 4:00 a.m., light signals were spotted at sea. In less than two hours, 71 survivors were rescued. However, they were from the SS Julia Ward Howe, another American vessel that had been sunk the night before by the German submarine U-442.

These survivors had only been adrift for about 12 hours and were found by chance. The Lima continued its search, still trying to locate the City of Flint survivors.

Rescuing the City of Flint

Three days after the attack, on January 29, three lifeboats were found:

• 9:00 a.m.: First lifeboat with 16 survivors
• 11:00 a.m.: Second lifeboat with 16 survivors
• 12:00 p.m.: Third lifeboat with 16 survivors

In total, 48 City of Flint survivors were rescued.

Search operations continued for two more days in hopes of finding a fourth lifeboat and potential survivors of the SS Charles C. Pinckney, another American ship sunk by the German submarine U-514 in the same area on January 27.

The Storm

Weather conditions had been favorable, but on the morning of January 30, a deep depression approached, bringing strong winds and heavy seas. The Lima was forced to end the search and return to Ponta Delgada with 118 survivors on board (one of whom had died on January 29).

While returning, the ship faced an extreme storm:

“The scene was magnificent but terrifying. The bow plunged into the swell, creating high sprays that began at the level of the forecastle. Everyone's focus was on steering the ship, with no time to admire the view.”

At 5:30 p.m., the ship tilted dangerously:

“At 1730, the ship registered an extraordinary heel of 67 degrees, causing significant damage and injuries.”

A Sailor’s Harrowing Testimony

“It’s five in the afternoon, and few dare to go out on deck, even clinging to the ropes.

But then a larger wave lifts the warship from the stern, forcing it to tilt to port with a frightening angle. As everyone held their breath, another wave struck before the ship could right itself, exposing its port side down to the keel.

Panic was written on every face. Those few seconds felt like an eternity.

Miraculously, the ship slowly rose from its desperate position, under the frozen gaze of the stunned crew.”

The Lima survived what seemed physically impossible. It continued sailing through the night in the midst of violent downpours and zero visibility, until 5:35 a.m. on January 31, when the Ferraria lighthouse on São Miguel’s western tip came into view. Two hours later, the Lima entered the port of Ponta Delgada, after traveling over 1,500 nautical miles, bringing 118 survivors to safety.

International Recognition

According to Correio da Horta, the U.S. Minister in Lisbon, Robert Fish, visited the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express gratitude:

“For the swift intervention of the destroyer Lima in rescuing 119 American survivors.”

In a formal statement, he wrote:

“On instructions from my government, I wish to present to Your Excellency — and, through you, to the Prime Minister and members of the Portuguese Government — the profound appreciation of the United States Government for the heroic action taken by the crew of the Portuguese destroyer Lima, in rescuing numerous survivors of American ships sunk in the Azores region.

This act, carried out with extraordinary courage and skill under the harshest weather conditions, will certainly leave a deep impression on the American public once all the details become known. It will be seen as a shining example of the noble Portuguese tradition, where naval mastery is united with a Christian duty to aid those in danger and distress.”

A heroic mission by the Portuguese Navy, marked by bravery, skill, and humanity in the depths of World War II.

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