When U-boats lurked offshore

This is Paul Janensch with a Treasure Coast Essay about the German U-boats that wreaked havoc just off our shore.  In early 1942 – 75 years ago – World War II came to Florida.  An article by Alison O’Leary in the spring issue of Indian River Magazine focuses on U-504, which lurked near Jupiter Inlet.  In his log, the commander described sinking the tanker Republic on February 21.  Five members of the tanker’s crew were killed.  Twenty-three others landed on Jupiter Island and were well treated by the wealthy residents.  It was believed that one torpedo missed the Republic and exploded on a reef, causing the small earthquake that knocked people out of their beds from Jupiter to Stuart.  I bet folks now in their 80s and 90s who were living on that stretch at the time are still talking about it.  I’m Paul Janensch.