In 1943, a World War II American transport ship, the SS Dorchester, was struck midship by a torpedo fired from a German submarine. Over 900 people — many young soldiers far from home for the first time in their lives — were on board. In the dead of night chaos ensued as the ship quickly began to sink and individuals rushed to find life jackets and lifeboats. Over 600 died that night while some 230 were rescued.