M/T Orkanger

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Appeared Captain Lauritz Teffre ...

The captain produced a written report in connection with the torpedoing, to which he referred, and has nothing further to declare.

On being questioned he stated that when the torpedoing occurred the vessel was proceeding with extinguished lights and steering a zig-zag course in accordance with instructions from the British Admiralty.

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... first witness: 34d officer Johan Sæther who stated that he was aware of the contents of the produced written report, which he approved as his evidence in the matter.

On being questioned the witness informed that he was the officer on watch when the torpedoing occurred. He further stated that he was walking to and from on the bridge when he heard a violent explosion by which oil was flung high into the air causing complete darkness. No sign of a submarine was to be seen. After the oil had come down again he gave ordres to those who were on the bridge (the helsman and 2 English soldiers) to be ready to go into the boats. Thereafter he called the capt. whom he met on the lower bridge. Later he examined the damage which he found would not cause the vessel to sink. He further stated that three lifeboats were manned and put into the water. The fourth lifeboat was badly damaged by the first explosion. After having put the last lifeboat into the water the witness went on board again and directly after having come on board the second explosion occurred about 10 minutes after the first. When it was evident that the vessel would sink, the small boat (pram) was put into the water and into which the witness, together with the captain, the chief engineer, the chief officer and an English officer left the vessel.

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Appeared the 2nd withess, A.B. Seaman S. Helland, who stated that he was aware of the written report to which he had nothing to add.

On being questioned he stated that after the first explosion he was assisting with the putting out of the starboard lifeboat amidship in accordance with the 3rd officer's order. He had seen no sign of any submarine.

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Appeared the 3rd witness, jr. ordinary seaman Paul Knarvik, who stated that he was aware of the contents of the produced written report to which he had nothing to add.

On being questioned the witness stated that when the first explosion occurred he was look-out-man on the forecastle and the he did not sdee anything of any submarine or anything else in the fairway. After the explosion he was assisting in the putting out of the starboard boat amidship.

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Appeared the 4th witness, chief engineer Ole Jamne, who stated that he was aware of the contents of the produced written report to which he had nothing to add. On being questioned the witness stated that when the first explosion occurred he was in the cabin. He then went down and stopped the engine, reversed and went astern for a while and then stopped it again. Thereafter he left the engine room and went on to the fore deck and saw theat the deck had been blown up. As they were of opinion that it was safer to go into the boat and await daylight the witness went down and stopped the steering engine. Shortly afterwards the second explosion occurred and the witness, together with those remaining on board, at once went into the pram.

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Appeared the 5th witness, engine boy Einar Zakariassen, who stated that he was aware of the contents of the produced written report to which he had nothing to add. On being questioned the witness stated that when the first explosion occurred he was on the boat deck aft together with Blomquist. The witness did not see anything of the submarine. After having found the lifesaving waistcoat and got it on he went into the starboard lifeboat aft, which was lowered into the water with orders to wait. The witness saw the 2nd engineer, fireman Svendsen, engine boy Blomquist and fireman Fotland in the boat. He is of opinion that he had also seen 3rd engineer in the boat, but it is not sure. Shortly after the boat had been put into the water the second explosion occurred and the witness can only remember that at the same time he received a blow over the nose through which he lost consciousness and from which he only came to when he had been picked up by the other lifeboat.

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Appeared the 6th witness, engine boy Johan Blomquist, who stated that he was aware of the contents of the produced written report to which he had nothing to add. On being questioned the witness stated that when the first explosion occured he was on the boat deck aft together with Zakariassen. The witness had seen nothing of any submarine. After the explosion he ran down and put on the lifesaving waistcoat and thereafter went up to the starboard lifeboat aft and to commence with assisted with the lowering of same until it was about level with the deck. Whereafter he went into the lifeboat together with Zakariassen, the 2nd engineer, the 3rd engineer, the electricial fireman L. Svendsen and ordinary seaman Arthur Nilsen. The witness cannot with certainty remember having seen the other members in the boat except boatswain Gjøvaag. The witness remembers that when the second explosion occurred he was standing aft in the lifeboat keeping it clear of the ship's side. The witness cannot state anything as regards whta thereafter took place. When he regained consciousness he was in the sea holding on two oars until he was picked up by the others in the port lifeboat. The witness further stated that when the starboard boat had reached the water after the first explosion he saw a bag which, according to what was said, contained the ship's papers being lowered down and received in the boat.

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