Bayou seen above as Lake Fairfax circa 1935. Photo 302616604.jpg (935×535) (navsource.org)
Built: 1919
Tonnage: 2,605 / 3000 tons
Owner Sud Americano de Vapores SA, Panama
Cargo: Manganese Ore
Sunk: 28 FEB 42 in Convoy route Rio -Trinidad - Canada by U-129 in pos. 08° 08'N, 55° 14'W
24 dead
1 survivor
Completed in November 1919 as Lake Fairfax for US Shipping Board (USSB). 1932 transferred to the US Army Corps of Engineers and used as a suction dredger for flood control projects on the Mississippi River. 1940 returned to cargo service as Bayou for Bayou SS Corp (Smith & Johnson), New Orleans. 1941 registered in Panama.
At 07.45 hours on 28 Feb 1942 the unescorted Bayou was hit forward by one G7a torpedo from U-129 and sank within 25 seconds about 140 miles north of Paramaribo. The U-boat had chased the ship for 18 hours and missed with a first G7a torpedo because it was a surface runner at 04.06 hours. The Germans observed a man on a raft at the sinking position but left without questioning him. At noon on 5 March, the only survivor was rescued in 07°36N 58°05W and taken to Georgetown.
By Bayou (Panamanian Steam merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net