Memorial service held to remember lost US sailors

Historian Alexander Ferne organised a memorial service to mark 80 years since 16 US sailors lost their lives off Jersey

A memorial service has been held in Jersey to mark the 80th anniversary of the sinking of a US naval vessel sunk off the island's south coast.

Historian Alexander Ferne said 16 lives were lost during the "fierce battle" that took place just off the Noirmont Point on 9 August 1944.

A service to remember the lives lost was held at Noirmont Point at 11:00 BST where wreathes were laid.

He said the battle was not well-known, which had inspired him to conduct research because of the "strong island connection".

Alexander Ferne said he laid wreathes at the memorial on behalf of the relatives of those who lost their lives

Mr Ferne said: "The fierce naval battle took place just off Jersey’s south coast, with the US Navy PT Boat Squadron, RON 34, intercepting a German convoy in the early morning, firstly at La Corbière and then along the coast to Noirmont point.

"The battle saw PT509 - the Sassy Sue - sunk, PTs 503 and 507 damaged and 16 US Naval personnel lost their lives.

"There were 15 men on board [PT509], 14 of them were killed and there was a sole survivor who after the liberation of the island was able to tell the detailed story of what happened."

He said after PT509 was lost, two other boats attempted to find it and during the search two other men were killed just outside St Helier harbour.

'Home'

Mr Ferne explained how he had been in contact with the families of the men who have helped "put parts of the jigsaw together".

At the memorial, he said wreathes were laid on behalf of the families who had lost loved ones. A minute's silence also took place to remember those lost.

Mr Ferne said: "For me, the story developed around the fact that it wasn’t well known.

"There is a very strong island connection because the boats were built in New Jersey and the skipper Harry Crist together with other crewmen were new Jersey men."

He said: "It’s amazing to think the wreck of the 509 still lies just offshore from Jersey.

"It feels that she is at home together with 10 other crewmen that are still missing."