M/S Thermopylæ

Log extract concerning the sinking of the M/S "Thermopylæ".

On the 16th January, at 8.00 o'clock, the vessel left Alexandria loaded with general cargo, war material, about 800 tons of ammunition and bombs, also 336 officers and men for Malta.

The vessel was on departure in good seaworthy condition and during the voyage she was to proceed in convoy with the motor ship "Ajax" until 8.00 o'clock in the morning of the 16th January when they would be overtaken by 2 other vessels, the "Clan Fergusson" and the "City of Calcutta". The speed in respect of the "Thermopylæ" had been given as 13 miles in fine weather.

On the 17th Jnauary, at 10 o'clock the convoy was attacked for the first time by enemy aeroplanes which dropped 2 bombs from a very great height end did no damage. Later, aeroplanes were continually seen without their making any attack.

During the voyage the weather had been favourable, but during the afternoon the wind increased to strong breeze from west.

At 20.00 o'clock 2 joints blew out on the steering engine and in order to get this repaired the speed had to be reduced as the rudder was knocking heavily. Report was made to the Commodore about this and 2 destroyers then remained, standing by the "Thermopylæ", whilst the Commodore continued.

It was still found difficult to repair and the rudder had to be shored in order to prevent knocking, and during this work 2 glands were smashed. After completing the rejointing of the leaky flanges, the steering engine was started and was working normally, but having regard to the fractured glands the rudder had to be moved as little as possible as the pressure on these would be too heavy.

At 22.40 o'clock message was sent to the escort that the rudder had been repaired, but that it would have to be moved with care and Zig-Zag courses would be impossible. Orders were received to continue the voyage and to overtake the Commodore.

On the 18th January, at daybreak, the Commodore had been overtaken and the vessels continued without steering zig-zag.

At 9.00 o'clock turned round in order to meet the second part of the convoy and at 10 o'clock the convoy was assembled and continued the voyage escorted by 15 destroyers. The speed was to have been 13 miles, but in the case of the "Thermopylæ" it was down to 10.5 on account of the strong wind and rough sea. The other vessels, which were ships with speed of 16-17 miles, were steadily drawing away from us in spite of the engines being forced as much as possible.

At 12.15 o'clock orders were received to alter course and proceed to Benghazi as the "Thermopylæ" was dalaying the convoy and course was set towards that port under the guidance of three destoyers. At 15.00 o'clock the escorting vessels enquired as to how long the repair of the steering engine would take to which there was replied that it was impossible to say as some castings had to be done. At 15.30 o'clock enquiry came as to whether the steering engine would last during return voyage to Alexandria, to which there was replied that this would be possible if weather remained fair and zig-zagging was avoided, but suggested Benghazi for temporary repairs.

At 16.00 o'clock received orders to alter course and proceed to Alexandria. During the afternoon the weather had improved and with the same consumption the vessel was now doing 14 miles.

On the 19th January, at 9.40 o'clock, the convoy was attacked by 1 aeroplane, a Junker 88. This came from ahead and dived through the barrage, which the destroyers put up, and from a height of 1500 feet dropped 4 bombs at the "Thermopylæ" of which 2 struck the engine room and 2 fell into the sea. One of the bombs passed through the hospital and the deck of the pantry and exploded on the day tanks whereby the engine room was set on fire. The other bomb passed through the skylight and exploded on the manoevring platform.

It must be assumed that the 3 men of the vessel's crew, who lost their lives, namely Engineer Assistant Erling Isachsen, Motorman Olav Sander and Johan Viktor Jaervinen, all perished in consequence of the explosion as they were in the engine room. Motorman Oliversen tried to get down into the engine room through the tunnel entrance, but had to give it up owing to the fumes.

As the engine room was on fire, which there was no possibility of extinguishing, and with the fire rapidly spreading to Nos. 3 and 4 holds, where considerable quantities of ammunition and bombs were stowed, orders were given to leave the ship. The boats were put into the water and the soldiers, who were provided with lifebelts, were ordered to jump into the sea as the vessel might explode at any time. About 200 soldiers jumped into the sea, but as they could not swim they remained lying in the water round the ship. Later, the destroyer "Havock" came alongside the "Thermopylæ" and took on board those remaining including the captain. When the "Havock" came alongside the "Thermopylæ" some soldiers unfortunately got between the two vessels and were killed and some were injured by jumping from one ship to the other. About 30 soldiers disappeared.

At 11.16 o'clock all the men had left the ship and been taken on board 2 destroyers. At 11.30 o'clock the "Thermopylæ" was torpedoed as she was a danger to shipping and sank at 11.53 o'clock.

The lifesaving work was made difficult by enemy aeroplanes continually coming over and a submarine being seen. 7-9 depth charges were dropped at the submarine.

At 12.30 o'clock the search for survivors was given up and the destroyers continued the voyage to Alexandria where we arrived on the 20th at 10 o'clock and the injured were taken to hospital.

Of the vessel's crew the folowing had been injured:- 2nd Engineer Gunnar Roll-Larsen, a very nasty fracture, he has been operated on, but will probably have a very long stay, about 6 months, in hospital.

3rd Engineer Trygve Reinertsen, badly burnt on arms and legs, about 1 months's stay. Mess-room Girl Helga Aabel sustained a large cut on the forhead, however without fracture, further the flesh round her leg above the ancle was torn to the extent of e 3 inches in width, also the main bone injured, about 1 month's stay in hospital.

Chief Engineer Oluf Waal Hansen, Caprenter Hildemar Hansen, Gunner Berge and Motorman Johnsen were injured to lesser extent.

The last mentioned are expected to be discharged from hospital in the course of 7-4 days.

Alexandria, the 29th January 1942

Erling Eliassen, Chief Officer

Carsten Muller, Master

Oluf W. Hansen, Chief Engineer

Rolf Jensen, Ordinary Seaman

Erling Oliversen, Motorman