Thomas William Dare

MACHINIST SECOND CLASS THOMAS WILLIAM DARE was lost in the sinking of destroyer USS Ingraham DD-444, which was sunk after a collision with tanker USS CHEMUNG AO-30 in dense fog off Nova Scotia on August 22, 1942. 

A Gleaves-class destroyer, the Ingraham was launched February 15, 1941 by the Charleston Navy Yard, and commissioned July 17, 1941, with Lieutenant Commander W. M. Haynsworth, Jr., in command. After shakedown and local operations along the East Coast, Ingraham commenced duties as convoy escort in December of 1941, as the Japanese surprise attack drew America into the fight for freedom. During 1942 she escorted convoys between the United States, Iceland, and the United Kingdom, bringing supplies desperately needed by the Allies to stem Hitler's advance and to take the offensive. Under constant threat from German U-boats, Ingraham continued her escort duty to Europe and as far south as the Panama Canal.

On the night of August 22nd, as she was investigating a collision between U.S. destroyer Buck and a merchant vessel, Ingraham collided with the tanker Chemung. Ingraham sank almost immediately. Depth charges on her stern exploded. Only 11 men survived the collision. 

Only eleven of the Ingraham crew survived, as the destroyer's depth charges went off as she sank. The USS Ingraham was struck from the Navy Register 11 September 1942.

Initially listed as missing, Thomas William Dare was declared dead a year and a day later. .

Crew of the
USS INGRAHAM
DD-444
off
Houston TX

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February 22, 1944

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Related Links to the Ingraham Sinking

A Survivors Tale by Luther Wilhelm, Survivor of the DD444 Sinking

Loss of Fletcher Nolan Houston, MM2/c

Thanks to David Wright of Oaklyn NJ for his help in constructing this page.