SS Johns Hopkins

She was allocated to the North Atlantic & Gulf Steamship Co., on 27 March 1943.^[4]

On 2 October 1944, at 01:50, she struck a mine, at 43°16′48″N 05°08′28″E / 43.28000°N 5.14111°E / 43.28000; 5.14111, while en route from Marseille to Toulon, France. The mine struck between the #3 hold and the engine room on the port side. The ship lost power as the engine room and #3 hold began to flood rapidly. The shaft alley began to flood which caused the #4 and #5 holds to slowly flood. Johns Hopkins quickly took on a 35° list to port and began to drift in the high winds. Distress calls where sent out after repairs to the radio, that was damaged in the blast, were made. Hobson arrived around 02:30, but was unsuccessful in her attempts to come along the damaged Johns Hopkins, due to the rough seas and high winds. Hobson stood by until ATR-127 arrived at 06:00 and towed Johns Hopkins back to Marseille, where she arrived at 04:00, on 3 October 1944.^[4]

Johns Hopkins had been carrying US and Free French Army personnel, in addition to general cargo, vehicles, and half-tracks and trucks placed on all the cargo hatches, except hold #3. Two lifeboats were lost when they were lowered and lost in the rough seas. Of the 536 aboard, only a US Army major was injured when he broke his leg falling into the #3 hold.^[4]

She was repaired and placed back in service.^[5]

On 6 November 1946, she was sold for $544,200, to Compania Internacional de Vapores, Ltd., and renamed Thetis.^[4] She was later renamed Santa Elena in 1952 and Eleni K. in 1960. On 29 September 1966, 8 mi (13 km) out from Thevenard, Australia, en route from Port Lincoln to the United Kingdom, with a load of wheat, she broke in two in heavy seas and foundered in shallow waters. On 17 November 1966, she was refloated and beached on Goat Island, 32°18′S 133°32′E / 32.300°S 133.533°E / -32.300; 133.533.^[6]