D/S Isbjørn

BREV FRA NORTRASHIP, CARDIFF

S/S "ISBJØRN" - sunk in the English Channel on the 17th December 1944, with the loss of eight lives

On the order of the Maritime Department, Nortraship, London, the undersigned travelled down to Dartmouth on the 19th to contact the Master and the Chief Officer of the above named ship, who are at present in the Royal Naval Sick Quarters, Townstal House, Dartmouth, the Captain with a badly sprained and bruised ankle, and the Chief Officer with various bruises, none of which is serious. The Captain and Chief Officer gave from memory the following account of the incident:-

The S/S "ISBJØRN" of 295 tons net, and 579 tonbs gross, with a compliment of 19 men, including gunners, left Swansea on the 14th December at 1800 with about 650 tons of anthricite coal, bound for Goole.

The ship was in every way in a good and seaworthy condition, having undergone extensive repairs and overhaul at the Prince of Wales Dock, Swansea, prior to sailing. The Norwegian Sea Control Surveyor was on board a few days before the ship sailed, and found everything in order. During the repairs, the Norwegian Veritas Surveyors were in constant attendance.

The ship joined the convoy on the 15th at 0945 and proceeded in convoy according to instrukctions. On the 16th at about 2000, passed Start Point, about 5' off. The wind was trong, S.S.W.ly, the ship behaving normally with a speed of 6-7 knots, and having no difficulty in following the convoy. At about 2345, the course was altered, to about East by South. The Wind increased to full storm, with a very high sea running, the sea all the time breaking over.

Wind and sea from the same direction as before. On the 17th at about 0030, a heavy sea swept on board, and the cargo shifted to port, giving the ship a heavy list to port. The captain immediately gave orders to heave to and to start to fill the starboard No. 2 ballast tank to try to counteract the heavy list. During this procedure of filling, the tank was sounded frequently, and at 0200 there was about 20" of water in the tank, about three quarters full, and the ship seemed to be more stable, the list also seeming to decrease somewhat. The wind however increased, and reached hurricane strength. Every effort was made to keep the wind and sea a little on the port bow. This was continued, with just sufficient speed to keep the ship under control. At about 0430, the electric light to the navigation lights and compass broke down, the paraffin oil lamps were lit, the compass being in the meantime lit up by an electric torch.

It became more difficult to keep the ship under control, and all of a sudden, she began to move off her course, whereupon the wind and sea came in from aft. Suddenly the ship listed more over to port, and the situation became critical. Orders were given to stand by the lifeboat. The motorboat had prevoiusly been lost when the forward davit gave way. Orders were also given to try to again get the ship up against the wind, but without avail. It was realised that the ship was in a very critical position and a signal was sent by Aldes lamp to a ship not far from the "ISBJØRN" - "SOS COME AND HELP US". A number of rockets were also sent up. As the visibility was very poor however, it is thought that this might have been the reason for not getting any reply to the signals.

From then on things happened very quickly. Two big seas washed over the after deck, and in a matter of seconds the ship capsized and sank, stern first. It is thought that the hatches had been broken in.

The attempt to launch the lifeboat had not been successful, because of the heavy list. However, it unhooked itself when the ship went down, with one man in the boat. Another man found himself close to the boat and was helped on board by the first one. Later, six more were picked up, including the Captain who had got his foot jammed and was pulled down with the ship, but managed to struggle free and come to the surface. It was later found that four men had managed to get on board two rafts. The lifeboat was full of water, as it had been badly damaged, either by the wreck or by the sea.

After about 6 hours in the lifeboat, the men were spotted by the Dutch Motor Vessel "OOSTERHAVN". Captain H. A. A. Breent. The Captain in spite of the still very bad weather, manoevred his ship close up to the lifeboat, and managed to get the men onboard. During the transfer from the lifeboat to the ship, the steward fell overboard and disappeared. Captain Breent was told there might be more survivors, and steamed round the place where the "ISBJØRN" went down, located the four men on the two rafts, and rescued them also. When no more survivors were to be found, the Captain left the scene.

The Captain and Chief officer of the "ISBJØRN" expressed their great admiration for the way Captain Breen had handled his ship, showing him to be a very able sailor. With a less able and determined man in command, it is very doubtful if any of the crew would have been saved.

They also expressed their great gratitude for the way they were treated after they had come on board. It is hoped that the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission, and the Norwegian Government will express their thanks to the Captain and crew of the above named Dutch Motor Vessel for their good work.

Monday, the 18th December was the deay on which the survivors were landed at Dartmouth, and were taken care of by the Norwegian Consulate there. Every care has been given to the men, and they were also supplied with new clothing, the English gunners handed over to proper authorities, the Captain and Chief Officer brought to hospital, and the others sent to London the following day.

A list of the crew has been sent to all concerned by the Nowegian Vice Consulate at Dartmouth.

The Norwegeian Shipping and Trade Mission, Cardiff Branch

A. M: Fredhjem, Area Superintendent Captain