Collision with SS El Coston
The Tanker SS Murfreesboro was rammed by the freighter El Coston while en convoy from New York to Wales. El Coston had lost steering control when she struck the tanker. Murfreesboro caught fire at once and burned for hours until the fires were eventually extinguished. ... Due to the sudden nature of the event, the crew had to jump directly into the water. Survivors were picked up by USS Ricketts (DE-254) and USS Marchand (DE-249).
