Buxton

Sign @ British Cemetery - Buxton, NC, USA

On December 11, 1941, Germany declared war on the United States. The Nazis launched Operation Paukenschalg (Drumbeat), a swift and devastating blow to the eastern seaboard. In eight months, German U-boats sank nearly 400 ships along the US East Coast. At least 70 were sunk off the Outer Banks, earning it the name "Torpedo Junction." The US Navy had no specific anti-submarine fleet, so 24 British Royal Navy Patrol Service ships sailed to assist.

On April 9, 1942, Motor Vessel San Delfino, a British armed tanker, was torpedoed east of Cape Hatteras; 28 of the 50 men perished. The remains of two men - Fourth Engineer Michael Cairns, 28, and another unidentified sailor washed ashore. Local citizens cared compassionately for the fallen, respectfully laying them to rest with military honors. Each year, a community ceremony honors the British seamen who came to our aid.

202104271458572021 Avon4th Engineer Michael CairnsAtlantic OceanBritish CemeteryBuxtonBuxton Dare CountyCommonwealth War Graves CommissionD7000DailyPhotoDare CountyDare County North CarolinaGerman UBoat U203Hatteras IslandHatteras Island North CarolinaHondaLandscapeMV San DelfinoMotor Vessel San DelfinoNorth CarolinaOBXOuter BanksOuter Banks of North CarolinaPaul DimingSpringU203World War IIbarrier islandbarrier islandsbeachcemeteryislandocean