Fjordheim
Norwegian Steam merchant
Name | Fjordheim | ||
Type: | Steam merchant | ||
Tonnage | 4,115 tons | ||
Completed | 1930 - Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend, Sunderland | ||
Owner | Niels Røgenæs, Haugesund | ||
Homeport | Haugesund | ||
Date of attack | 3 Sep 1944 | Nationality: Norwegian | |
Fate | Sunk by U-482 (Hartmut Graf von Matuschka, Freiherr von Toppolczan und Spaetgen) | ||
Position | 55° 55'N, 9° 28'W - Grid AM 5282 | ||
Complement | 38 (3 dead and 35 survivors). | ||
Convoy | ONF-251 | ||
Route | Swansea - Belfast - Loch Ewe - Halifax | ||
Cargo | 4000 tons of anthracite coal | ||
History | Completed October 1930 British aircraft were stationed on Iceland since April 1941. A month later, the Fjordheim transported 18 Northrop aircraft, spare parts, ammunition and depth charges from Canada to Reykjavik for the 330 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF stationed there. | ||
Notes on event | At 00.10 hours on 3 September 1944 the Fjordheim (Master Arthur Jensen) in convoy ONF-251 was hit by one torpedo from U-482. The explosion killed three men on watch below, blew off the hatches of the holds and a huge wave of water and coal sweeped over the deck. Six minutes later, after the crew had abandoned ship, the boilers exploded and she sank immediately. 32 crew members abandoned ship in four lifeboats and three men jumped overboard. One was picked up by the boats, while two others were found by a boat from the British steam merchant Empire Mallory, which had lowered the boat to help in the search. The survivors in the lifeboats were picked up by HMCS Montreal (K 319) (T/LtCdr S.W. Howell, RCNR) and transferred to the British rescue ship Fastnet on 7 September. The two survivors picked up by the Empire Mallory were transferred to the rescue ship on 13 September, which landed all men at Halifax on 17 September. | ||
More info | |||
On board | We have details of 38 people who were on board. |
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