Faja de Oro
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The Faja de Oro ("Golden Belt") was a Mexican oil transporter that was sunk during the Second World War. It had been an Italian tanker, named the Genoano, seized by the Mexican government while anchored in the port of Tampico, Tamaulipas, one day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The ship was renamed the Faja de Oro.
The Faja de Oro was sunk at 2.15 a.m. on May 21, 1942, off Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, while on a voyage from Philadelphia to Tampico by the German U-boat U-160, commanded by Captain Lieutenant Hermann Rasch. The attack was despite Mexican neutrality at this stage of World War II. The attack killed 10 of the 37 men crew and prompted the government to declare war on the Axis powers on May 22, 1942.
Built as Barneson, 1915 renamed Oyleric, 1937 renamed Italian Genoano for Ditta G.M. Barbagelata, Genoa. Owner: Petróleos Mexicanos S.A.; Year: 1914; Armer: Hawthorn, Leslie & Co.; Displacement: 6,067 tons; Dimensions :433-5x54-6x32-4; Propulsion:536n.h.p.; triple-expansion engines.
Position: 23.30N, 84.24W - Grid DM 4157
Mexico responded with the creation of the Escuadrón 201.
