	The crew of the "Irish Oak" became acutely uneasy after her engine failed and she was left behind by SC 55, dead in the water, to wait for a tugboat; this, coupled with the experiences of other Irish ships, especially in OG 71, the "Nightmare Convoy" in August 1941, resolved Irish crews and owners to sail as neutrals, out-of-convoy. Thereafter Irish ships were clearly marked and fully lit, usually sailing out-of-convoy on a direct course, and they always answered SOS calls for assistance. Irish ships rescued 534 men; yet lost 20% of their seamen.