Torpedo Attack off Iceland
Leopold departed New York March 1, as convoy screening ship bound for Great Britain. Leopold gained sonar contact March 9, on possible submarine contact. ... While investigating she was struck by an acoustic torpedo launched from German U-255. ... Suffering major damage from the torpedo attack, Leopold was abandoned with the loss of 171 crew members. ... 28 survivors were rescued by her sister ship USS Joyce (DE 317). Leopold remained afloat several hours after being abandoned but later sank