D/S Elna E

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The captain appeared and brought with him a written statement of the incident and full list of the crew and stated as follows:-

I was on the bridge on Sunday morning the 16th of March when I suddenly heard an explosion just after one o'clock a.m. I was standing on the port side and tried to rush to the starboard side for the engine telegraph to order stop. I was however thrown back by the gush of water and bits of coal, but soon after I reached the telegraph and ordered 'stop'.

Visibility was about two miles and the sea was calm. I had noticed oil on the surface from about half an hour before the accident.

I have no details about deceased steward Johan Sudenius but all his particulars should be in my last monthly report dated the 28th of February to Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission where his name and nearest relatives should be found in the crew list. The saved ship's papers will be handed to "Nortraship's" Representative here.

I have nothing further to add to what is mentioned in my written statement.

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Thereupon appeared as first witness, Chief Engineer Trygve Karlson Skjolberg ...

I was on watch when the accident happened. I suddenly heard an explosion and felt the ship shake. 'Stop' engine was ordered from the bridge and carried out immediately. When I came on deck the fore part of the ship was already under water and I rushed for the lifeboat. There was nothing to be done except to save our lives. I saw the deceased steward jump into the water just before the ship sank and he must have been sucked under with the ship. According to what I heard the steward had his lifebelt on but I did not see that myself. He had never learned to swim.

I have read and signed the Captain's report and have nothing further to add.

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The second witness was, Chief Officer Severin Kipperberg ...

I was on the bridge when I suddenly heard an explosion followed by a heavy spout of water coming over the whole ship and the fore part of the ship immediately began to sink. The Captain blew the whistle for everyone to take to the boats and I went to my lifeboat. Everybody appeared to be calm and composed. I don't know for certain how far we were from the shore as visibility was only between one to two miles but by the time it took us to reach the shore in our boats I sholuld estimate it to be from ten to twelve miles.

I have read and signed the Captain's statement and have nothing further to add.

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The third witness was, A.B. Ludvik Olaf Johan Karlsen ...

I was at the wheel when the accident happened, and have nothing to add to the Captain's report which I have read and signed.

In the three quarters of an hour I had been at the wheel I had not noticed any ships or anything else. In my opinion the ship must have struck a mine, because when the explosion occurred the fore part of the ship was lifted up and began to sink immediately it fell back.

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