U-Boat Attack near Algeria
While escorting a convoy to Oran, Algeria, Bristol was struck by an enemy torpedo on the port side at the forward engine room, causing the ship to break in half. Only one explosion occurred. No fires resulted, but steam, electrical power, and communications were lost. Eight minutes after the explosion Bristol was ordered abandoned when the after section sank and four minutes later the bow section went down. Bristol suffered the loss of 52 of her crew, The survivors were rescued by Trippe (DD-403) and Wainwright (DD-419).