D/T Beaufort

Extract of log in connection with the sinking of S/T "Beaufort" at Øye on the 1st of May 1940

S/T "Beaufort" of Oslo, arrived Aalesund on the 7th April 1940 with a cargo of "Solar" oil destined for Aalesund, Bergen and Oslo. After having discharged 2007 tons at Bjørnøy, on account of the war in Norway the ship was ordered to Øye in Norangfjord, to wait for further orders there. On Sunday the 14h April the Master was informed by Mr. Riise, Rural Mayor, that the ship's cargo was requisitioned by the Norwegian military authorities, and must not leave Norwegian territory before the cargo was delivered to the authorities concerned or having received special permit by the authorities who had requisitioned the cargo.

Including the Captin there were 13 men on board as the rest had been paid off. The crew was doing regular work on board.

Thursday the 25th April at about 15 o'clock, when the crew were having their coffee, the ship was attacked by bombers. The attack lasted about 1 1/2 - 2 hours, the first time 4 bombs were thrown, which all hit the water about 10 meters astarboard from the poop to amidships. Later followed more attacks, 5 in all, and each time bombs were thrown, 2-3 and 1, but all went in the water astarboard. After the first attack the men went in the boats and got ashore. The Captain of the ship rowed ashore 2 ladies and a child and gave orders to the carpenter who was on the lower bridge, to get the rest of the crew ashore. The Captain had his wife on board, and the wife of Captain Dahl and her little daughter were also on board. The second attack took place while some of the crew were in one of the lifeboats on their way ashore. Later in the day, at nightfall, some of the men went on board and took ashore some provisions and effects, all preserves, 6 bags of flour and various other things, which were put in a storehouse at the quay, so that they could bring it on board quickly in case the ship got orders to leave. The damages of the ship were inspected, and it was found that doors and windows on starboard side of the pilot house were burst and some broken glass and some smaller damages on the poop. As no oil appeared on the water, it was presumed that the ship was tight. At about 18 o'clock the Captain telephoned to the Office of the Port Captain and gave his report. He was then informed that the ship must stay where she was until further orders. All the men are staying ashore at the Hotell Union, Øye. When on board during the evening steam was put up on 2 boilers, so that it could keep until the next evening. Some splinters of shells were found on the decks.

Friday 26th April the weather was clear and calm, the crew lives ashore. During the evening they went on board to put up the steam.

Saturday 27th April. Gentle breeze, clear weather. The crew lives ashore, went on board at night and attended to the steam.

Sunday 28th April. The weather clear and clam. At about 10.30 A.M. the bombing attacks on the ship started again, and with intervals lasted about 2 - 3 hours, and about 15 bombs were thrown against the ship, but none of them hit. At nightfall the crew went on board to put up steam on the boilers and get some provisions. Upon examination it appeared that a bullet had penetrated the case of the reserve battery, this case standing at the roof of the chart house. The ball had passed closely above the batteries, but these were undamaged and were taken down below amidships. A big shell splinter was found in the wooden deck on the lower bridge, and some oil was seen on the water. The ship has therefore probably got some leaks in the ship's side by the shakings when the shells burst in the water close by.

Monday 29th April. Gentle breeze, clear weather. From 11.30 A.M. to 12.30 A.M. several bomb attacks were made on the ship, many bombs came close to the ship and it is believed that the vessel had got some more leaks as it startet to get alist at port side. Closer examination of this will be made tonight when the crew goes on board. When coming on board in the evening it appeared that the vessel had a leak in No. 6. port tank, some water having entered, whereby the ship caused. Most of the provisions were taken ahsore. During the day the Master was in connection with the Military Authorities in Molde and gave his report. He was then informed that he soon would receive ordres and that the ship mist lie where she was.

Tuesday 30th April. Calm clear weater. At about 10.A.M. a bomb attack was made from great hight, but one hit the ship. The crew lives ashore.

Wednesday 1st May 1940. The weather clear and calm. At about 3.30 A.M. the bombing of the ship commenced and lasted with intervals until about 8 A.M. Many bombs fell close to the ship and some, presumably incendiary bombs, fell on the fore deck, as far as could be seen from the shore. It later appeared that the ship had got more leaks as the port list increased. A bomb fell near the Hotell Union and caused some damage, a big stone falling through the roof, and at the same time more stones fell around the houses at Øye. The inhabitants of the place urged the Master to remove the ship or sink it, as they were of the opinion that it was because of the ship's presence that the place was exposed to bombing. They could therefore not attend to their fields and their cattle. At about Noon the Master got in connection with the Military Authorities in Aalesund and reported. As the ship had already got a considerable list and much damage to the engine, at the same time as it appeared later that some of the discharge pipe was damaged and a lot of destruction on the bridge, and it was believed only to be a question of time when the ship would get a fatal hit and sink, it was decided to sink the ship, in order not to expose the inhabitants of the place for more danager. The Master of the ship therefore got orders from Captain Gunvaldsen in Aalesund to sink the vessel. At about 22.30 the crew went on board to do the necessary. Bottom valves and tank covers were opened. The medicine chest was taken ashore. The ship sank in the course of the hight. The chief engineer Fallang was earlier in the day informed of the order.