Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Matthew Olsen
In memory of:
Able Seaman Matthew Olsen
March 4, 1942
North Atlantic
Military Service
56
Merchant Navy
Canadian Merchant Navy
SS Gypsum Prince (Windsor, Nova Scotia) (147789)
Additional Information
May 9, 1885
Chatham, New Brunswick
Son of Daniel Ochinus Wigaard Mathiasen Olsen and Mary Elizabeth Boyle of Chatham, Northumberland, New Brunswick.
On 4 March 1942, the Gypsum Prince was en route from Digby, Nova Scotia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when at 6:46 am, 4 miles (6.5 km) off Lewes, Delaware, she collided with the tanker Voco due to the absence of lights caused by the possibility of German submarines. The Gypsum Prince sank about 10 minutes later in position 38°80'N/75°06'W. Six sailors, including the captain, lost their lives. The other 20 crew members were rescued by the US Coast Guard.
Commemorated on Page 204 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.
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