D/S Nurgis

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The Captain appeared and brought with him the ship's log books, an extract of same which was examined and found correct and a list of the full crew.

The Captain stated verbally as follows:-

I was on the bridge with the second Mate when we saw planes coming in from the sea flying very low, visibility good. They were painted dark gray, but we could not discover any identification marks. There were several ships in the vicinity. As the planes were flying in the direction of the shore we thought they might be British but nevertheless the second mate went to his gun in order to be ready. The planes then suddenly returned and attacked us as described in the ship's Logbook to which I have nothing further to add.

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Thereupon appeared as first witness, Chief Engineer, OLAF MODAHL NILSEN ... and stated:

I have seen and signed the extract of the logboook, and have nothing to add.

I had just left my watch and started my dinner. I suddenly heard machine gunning, followed by an explosion which upset the table. I immediately went to the top of the engine room and heard order was given for the engine to be stopped, which order was followed. I picked up my books and went out on deck to help with the lifeboats as described in the log book. Everybody was calm and carried out their duties.

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The sceond witnes wsas :- GUSTAV UHRBOM, acting Second Mate ... He Stated:-

I have read and signed the extract of the Ship's Log book which was kept by the Captain and myself.

I was on watch at the time and saw two planes coming in an thought they were British. No marks could be seen. I went however, to the gun and when they suddenly attacked us I started to shoot but after about twenty shots the gun became jammed and I had to stop. From then on I was busy getting out the lifeboats and at the same time tried to hide from the machine gunning. I had no time to get into my cabin but as I had all my papers in my pockets they were saved. I have nothing further to add to what is mentioned in the ship's Log book.

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The third witness was: NILS SKIVIK, Assistant Engineeer ... He stated :-

I was on watch from twelve o'clock noon, on Saturday March the 8th and a few minutes later I heard planes and machine gunning overhead and explosions. Immediately after the first explosion it was signalled to stop the engine which I did. Soon afterwards another explosion occurred which broke the steam pipes and which forced me to get on deck as quickly as possible, and I went to the lifeboat. I tried to get into my cabin but the door on the deck side was jammed and the top engine side was impossible to get at owing to the steam. There was a fresh wind and the sea was fairly rough.

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