Wartime mystery solved as divers find wreck of ship torpedoed by German U-boat

The S.S. Cornwallis, a steamboat that was torpedoed by a German U-boat in December 1944, remained a mystery for over 80 years. The ship was en route from Barbados to New Brunswick when the U-boat struck, killing 43 of the 48 crew members. Only five crew members survived. The discovery of the ship's final resting place has provided some closure to the families of the deceased crew members.

Donald Stewart, the grandson of David H. Stewart who was killed on the ship, said finding the wreck feels like his grandfather had spoken to him. Robert Stewart, who was 15 years old when he received a telegram informing him his father had died, expressed his devastation. James Roy, whose brother Jimmy died on the ship, stated his father never forgot Jimmy and became interested in genealogy to learn more about his family's history.

The final wreck was found after a five-day grid search in the Gulf of Maine. Danny Allan of the Nomad Exploration Team confirmed it was the S.S. Cornwallis by comparing blueprints and identifying characteristics. The exact location of the ship's bell, which could have provided more definitive proof, was not found as it was likely destroyed when the ship was torpedoed.