WWII Ship Coimbra, Torpedoed By German U-Boat, Leaking Oil Off Coast Of Long Island

The U.S. supply ship Coimbra was sunk off the coast of Long Island by a German U-boat after the attack on Pearl Harbor. (credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

A sheen on the ocean was the first clue the Coimbra was leaking oil. (credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

The crew working to assess the threat and remove the oil from the shipwreck held a moment of silence for the merchant sailors who died when the Coimbra was torpedoed in 1942. (credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

A diver at the hull of the shipwreck, 180 feet down. Divers spend several hours in a decompression chamber when they return to the intervention ship. (credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

Two oils samples Samples of oil removed from the hold of the Coimbra. Amazingly, after 77 years, analysis shows the oil has maintained its integrity. (credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

Public domain picture of U-123 Captain Reinhard Hardegen, who stalked the East Coast in early 1942. He commanded the mission that destroyed the Coimbra 27 miles south of Southampton NY. He lived to 105 and died in 2018.

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

Our ride to the wreckage site was courtesy the Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel seen here at the USCG Academy in New London, Conn. (credit: Tony Aiello/CBS2)

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

The Sanibel was used in the 1999 search for the downed plane piloted by John F Kennedy Jr. If you look closely you can see Senator Ted Kennedy on the back of the boat, (credit: Tony Aiello/CBS2)

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

The Coast Guard took us to the intervention vessel Shelia Bordelon which uses special technology to remain in place over the shipwreck site. (credit: Tony Aiello/CBS2)

Coast Guard Assesses Sunken WWII Tanker Coimbra

CBS2 photographer Chris Calarco arriving at the Shelia Bordelon with help from the Coast Guard. (credit: Tony Aiello/CBS2)

Coast Guard, partner agencies assess Coimbra wreck

Here is Tony Aiello, touching history. This is a piece of the hull of the Coimbra, sunk by the Nazis in 1942. (credit: Tony Aiello/CBS2)