Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of William James Coffin and Jane Patten, of Channel, Newfoundland. Husband of Hannah Hawkins of Channel. Father of Myrtle, Ellen Jane, James Hubert, who also perished with the Caribou, Margaret, Elias Giles, Abraham John L., Eric Robert, Clifford and Winnifred Coffin.
On 14 October, 1942, at 3:21 a.m., the ferry Caribou was hit by a torpedo launched by U-69 25 miles (40 km) from Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. She sank in the Cabot Strait in 1,600 feet (488 m) of water with 136 people (crew, passengers and military) in position 47°19'N/59°29'W. The 101 survivors were recovered by the escort ship HMCS Grand-Mère (J258) and landed in North Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This sinking would be Canada's worst maritime tragedy in terms of human lives during the Second World War.
Digital gallery of Boatswain Elias Coffin
-
Photo of Elias Coffin
In memory of the men and women who perished on the SS Caribou October 14th 1942. Submitted on behalf of the Twillingate (Newfoundland) Museum for the project, Operation Picture Me -
SS Caribou
In memory of the men and women who perished on the SS Caribou October 14th 1942. Submitted on behalf of the Twillingate (Newfoundland) Museum for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Museum
In memory of the men and women who perished on the SS Caribou October 14th 1942. Submitted on behalf of the Twillingate (Newfoundland) Museum for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Merchant Navy Monument in St. John's, NL
-
Dedication
-
Photo of Elias Coffin
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Boatswain Elias Coffin
Digital gallery of
Boatswain Elias Coffin
Digital gallery of
Boatswain Elias Coffin
Digital gallery of
Boatswain Elias Coffin
Digital gallery of
Boatswain Elias Coffin
Digital gallery of
Boatswain Elias Coffin
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 114 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.