M/T James Stove

EXTRACT FROM L.OG OF M.V. "JAMES STOVE" of OSLO

VOYAGE FROM SINGAPORE TO ADEN DURING PERIOD 29.5 40 TO 16.6.40

M/T "James Stove" left Singapore on the 29th May 1940 with 10.800 tons of aviation spirit. Leaded down to Indian Summer mark draft forward 25' 5", aft 27' 5", mean draft 26' 5".

The ship sailed with a full complement of crew and in perfect sea worthiness. The Captain received before departure from Singapore from the Naval Control full particulars regarding the route and general instructions. The route given to us by the Naval Control was strictly followed the whole voyage and instructions regarding the use of the Wireless strictly ahered to. The voyage to Aden proceeded under normal conditions.

On the 15th of June the Captain decided to proceed with reduced speed to conform to time of arrival at daybreak the following morning. This was to conform with instructions issued by Singapore Naval Control.

On the 16th June about 0415 full speed was given and we proceeded according to orders and approached the swept Channel 12 miles South of Elephant Back. At 0450 observed a submarine on the surface of one point ahead on the starboard beam about four miles off. The Captain and the Chief officer who were on the Bridge at this time believed it ot to be either a British or a French submarine and the voyage continued.

The submarine had almost a similar course but began closing in on the starboard side. At 0515 observed land and altered course to enter the swept channel. While we turned the submarine's position was then on our port side. The submarine then increased speed and going astern of us took up position on our starboard quarter and hoisted a signal. The distance at this time was too great and the signal could not be identified. The Captain gave the order to stop and the ship's number and National flag was hoisted - a few minutes later the submarine's signal could be made out to be C.G.B. meaning "Send boat for" The submarine was flying no national flag and with no numbers of mark painted on her sides. We believed that the submarine might have new orders regarding the mine fields and the Captain gave order to lower the starboard lifeboat Which went away with the Chief Officer and the Boat's crew. When the lifeboat approached the submarine the Captain hailed the Chief Officer and stated the submarine was Italian and that as Aden was a British port, the ship would be sunk. The lifeboat then turned back to the ship. On nearing the ship the Chief Officer signalled the Captain that the ship would be sunk and the Captain then gave the order to abandon the ship. At 0605 all hands were in the boat. At 0615 the ship was hit by a torpedo in the Engine Room, and the ship began to sink - about five minutes later the ship was hit by a second torpedo ahead on the starboard beam and began to list heavily and an explosition occurred and in a moment the ship went up in one enormous flame when began spreading rapidly around the ship. The crew managed to escape the flames and a course was set for Aden. About 0700 the whole crew rescued by a British warship "Moonstone" and brought to Aden. After arrival in Aden on the 16th June the loss of the "James Stove" was reported to the Authorities on shore. On the 17th June an extract of the Deck Log together with the Deck and Engine Log Books were delivered to the Norwegian Consulate at Aden.

NOTE: The above report is written by memory only as all papers were landed as already stated above.

Bombay, 22nd January 1941

Johannes Jacobsen, Motorman

Sverre Jensen, A.B.

Bjarne Lilleboe, Chief Engineer

Rolf G. Karlsen, Chief Officer

O. Eliassen, Captain