D/S Bestum

Report on position

This vessel left the Tyne on the 19th for London with a cargo of coal, 3160 tons. On the 21st inst. during foggy weather the vessel grounded on the Shipwash Bank at 7.55 p.m. The rest of the convoy apparently anchored in the vicinity and at high water about 2.30 a.m. on the following day a drifter, presumably one of the escort vessels, endeavoured to tow the "Bestum" off the ground but without success owing to the tow lines breaking.

At 7.30 a.m. the tug "Kenia", which is the rescue boat stationed at Harwich, arrived alongside. At 11.30 a.m. towing was commenced, the "Kenia" towing astern and the "Bestum" using her own engines and at 2.30 p.m. the vessel refloated. The rest of the convoy had left at daylight and the "Kenia" gave orders for the "Bestum" to proceed to Harwich. Later, the drifter, which had remained in the vicinity all night, instructed the "Bestum" to follow her. Outside Harwich, however, the examination vessel ordered the "Bestum" to anchor which she did at 5.15 p.m. About 20 minutes later pilot came on board and five minutes afterwards the anchor was hove up and the essel proceeded in towards Harwich. At about 5.50 p.m. the vessel was attacked by a hostile aircraft which apparently dropped five bombs from the port side.

The first appears to have exploded alongside on port, the second passed through the port side and ended up on the coal cargo in No. 2 hold without exploding. This bomb, a fairly large one, was removed by a Naval disposal party yesterday. The third struck the deck between No. 2 hatch and the bridge front and then skidded across the deck and out through the deck rising plate on the starboard side and exploded outside. The fourth struck the starboard side of the navigating bridge and went out the side between the navigating bridge and the bridge deck. This bomb fell close by the Master who fell through the hole in the deck and damaged his left foot. He is today being removed from Harwich to Colchester Hospital for X-ray examination. The fifth bomb was a near miss on the starboard side. This information does not account, however, for damages on the poop where the steering wheel, rails, etc., are damaged.

The compasses and telegraph were smashed but an endeavour is stated to have been made to proceed in towards shore but it seems more likely that the vessel drifted easterly with the tide and grounded on the southern end of the Cork Spit about 3 miles from Harwich. The crew were brought ashore in the pilot boat and with the exception of the Chief Officer, Chief Engineer and the Steward, proceeded to London. Apart from the Master none of the crew of 25 with four British gunners were injured.

Since the occurrence the Admiralty Salvage Dept. have closed the hole in the port side of No. 2 hold and have pumped out the machinery space, getting this almost dry. There was, however, no sign of movement yesterday and at high tide the water rises to within 2' of the boat deck so that the holds are tidal through the hatches. Today it was seen the the high tide had risen above the previous mark and as the tides are taking off, this seems to indicate that the fesssel is settling into the ground. The latter is reported to be small stones and sand on which the vessel is resting bodily, quite upright heading S. 28 degrees E. Today holes have been cut in the bulkheads to the forward and after holds and by use of 4 - 6" and 2 -3" pumps and 2 -4" electric pumps the machinery space was pumped right out and no free water could be seen in the holds. In spite of these measures the vessel did not move on the rising tide which covered the decks at about 2.15 p.m. It is difficult to ascertain exactly where the trouble lies but probably the vessel has been badly shaken by the explosions near her (the main injection is reported to be broken) and is generally leaky throughout. With a freeboard of about 4' the loss of buoyancy of the bottom tanks accounts for 536 tons (about 24") and the rest can possibly be due to the saturation of cargo.

Meanwhile whatever instruments and gear can be removed are being taken off the vessel. The wireless had been removed also various stores, etc., and a Naval party have today removed the 4" gun from its platform on the poop. A Captain Olsen, from the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission, is now here and will superintend these arrangements.

Wit regard to the prospects of salvage these do not appear to be very good. The vessel is in rather an exposed position and it has only been possible to work on her yesterday and today in consequence of the comparatively fine weather. The tides are taking off for the next few days and until buoyancy can be found there seems to be little point in continuing to pump out the machinery spaces.

Discharging of the cargo seems to be the obvious move and in this connection the ship's own steam cannot be used. There is only one likely craft in the harbour, a hopper fitted with a grabbing crane but it is doubtful whether she can pump the hatches. The "Bestum's" hatches are 18' wide leaving a distance from the side to the coaming of about 12 to 13 feet. One advantage of the hopper, if she can be used, is that she would be able to convey the cargo some distance from the vessel for dumping it. The other suggestion is to get a suitable collier alongside the "Bestum" to discharge the cargo with grabs. It is understood that there would be difficulty in getting labour locally to work with tubs.

The suggestion that compressed air might be used to empty the ballast tanks has been put before the local Salvage Officer and the further suggestion about using compressed air to drive the "Bestum's" winches will be made. Failing all these measures being practicable, it may be necessary to cut the sides of the vessel and let the tide scour out the holds but the objection to this course would be the tendency for the cargo to pile up round the vessel.

It has just been learned from the Salvage Officer (8.45 p.m.) that the salvage vessel may not be available tomorrow but arrangements have been made for a coaster, the "Wyetown", now discharged at Ipswich, to go alongside the "Bestum" tomorrow.

London, November 25th, 1941

At request of the local Admiralty Salvage Officers and by arrangement with you and Nortraship Mr. Foster is signing Lloyd's form. There has been a number of telephones with Harwich and the "Wyetown", 624/254 tons, register, arrived Harwich this afternoon and will proceed to the "Bestum" to-morrow. She has only two-ton derricks and it may be necessary to make use of some of the "Bestum's" discharging gear.

The salvage vessel has returned to Harwich and it now seems to be decided that sufficient discharging will have to be undertaken before further reflaoting attempts are made.

As mentioned previously, there is a local lack of labour and the salvors also hoped that it will be possible gto sendt the crew back to Harwich. Nortraship are endeavouring to arrange this wan when collected we should be advised so that the local Authorities can be warned and the crew received. Accomodation is being found and it was hoped that they would be available at Harwich to assist in the discharging etc. to-morrow.

Captain Angel-Olsen of Noartraship is by arrangement with Nortraship remaining a few days at Harwich. He had suggested that a temporary master might be appointed to lead the crew and look after the various matters, but with Captain Angel-Olsen there that can perhaps be dispensed with.

The question of the weather seems to be the important aspect and the position is likely to be clarified during the present week.