In the long history of survival stories, few are as remarkable as that of Poon Lim, a Chinese sailor who endured the impossible. In 1942, after his British merchant ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat during World War II, Lim found himself stranded alone in the vast Atlantic Ocean. Armed with nothing but a small wooden raft, limited supplies, and an unwavering will to survive, he would remain at sea for an astonishing 133 days before being rescued.

Poon Lim’s journey is not only a testament to physical resilience but also a powerful example of human ingenuity and mental strength in the face of isolation, fear, and nature’s unforgiving forces.

The Sinking of the Ben Lomond

On November 23, 1942, Poon Lim was a steward aboard the British ship SS Ben Lomond, which was sailing from Cape Town, South Africa, to Surinam. The ship was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat in the South Atlantic. As the vessel sank rapidly, most of the crew perished. Poon Lim was one of the few who managed to grab a life jacket and leap into the ocean.

After hours in the water, he located a liferaft an 8-foot square wooden structure equipped with a few basic supplies: some food rations, a few cans of water, a flashlight, and some sugar. It would become his home for the next four and a half months.

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The HORRIFYING Story of Poon Lim

Survival Through Innovation and Willpower

The supplies on the raft were only enough for a few days. But Poon Lim refused to surrender to the sea. Using incredible resourcefulness, he devised a system for long-term survival.

He learned how to catch rainwater using canvas from the raft’s cover. For food, he fished using hooks he fashioned from wire and nails pulled from the raft, and he used bits of cloth as bait. He also managed to trap seabirds and even a small shark, drinking their blood to stay hydrated when water ran low.

To stay mentally sharp, he kept track of time by tying knots in rope and maintaining a daily routine. He crafted tools from scraps, including a knife made from a biscuit tin, and even used parts of his life jacket to create fishing lines. At night, he protected himself from the cold by wrapping himself in wet canvas that would cool in the breeze and dry during the day. Through storms, searing sun, and overwhelming loneliness, Poon Lim held on.

Rescue and Recognition

On April 5, 1943, after drifting nearly 750 miles, Poon Lim was finally rescued by Brazilian fishermen off the coast of northern Brazil. He was severely emaciated and weak, but alive. News of his survival quickly spread around the world.

After his recovery, he was awarded the British Empire Medal by King George VI for his extraordinary bravery and endurance. His story was used by the British Royal Navy as an example in survival training programs, and he became a symbol of unwavering human spirit.

When later asked how he survived, Poon Lim simply replied:
“I hope no one has to go through what I went through.”

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Incredible Sea Survival Stories

Legacy and Inspiration

Poon Lim eventually moved to the United States and became a citizen. He lived a quiet life, but his legacy continues to resonate in military survival manuals, maritime training, and documentaries about human perseverance.

His story is more than just a tale of survival it is about how determination, creativity, and courage can overcome even the most impossible odds. In a world where stories of struggle often fade with time, Poon Lim’s name stands tall among history’s great survivors.