SS Sanct Svithun
History | |
---|---|
Norway | |
Name | Sanct Svithun |
Namesake | Saint Swithun – patron saint of Stavanger, Norway |
Owner | Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab in Stavanger |
Port of registry | Stavanger |
Route | Hurtigruten |
Builder | Danziger Werft, Free City of Danzig |
Yard number | 46 |
Launched | March 1927 |
Acquired | 1 July 1927 |
Homeport | Bergen, Norway |
Fate | Sunk by Allied aircraft on 30 September 1943 |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage | 1,376 GRT |
Length | 236 ft (71.93 m) |
Beam | 35.2 ft (10.73 m) |
Draught | 21.3 ft (6.49 m) |
Propulsion | 1,650 hp 4 cylinder Lentz-type double compound engine |
Speed | 14 knots (26 km/h) |
Capacity | 100 First Class, 82 Third Class |
Armament | After 1940: German-manned anti-aircraft guns |
SS Sanct Svithun was a 1,376 ton steel-hulled steamship built by the German shipyard Danziger Werft and delivered to the Norwegian Stavanger-based shipping company Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab on 1 July 1927. She sailed the Hurtigruten route along the coast of Norway until she was lost in an air attack on 30 September 1943 during the Second World War.
Construction
Sanct Svithun was built for the Norwegian shipping company Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab by Danziger Werft in the Free City of Danzig in 1927, with yard number 46. She was launched in March, and delivered on 1 July 1927. She was rated at 1,376 gross register tons, measured 236 ft (71.93 m) in length, had a beam of 35.2 ft (10.73 m) and a draught of 21.3 ft (6.49 m). Her 1,650 hp 4 cylinder Lentz-type double compound engine could propel the ship at 14 knots (26 km/h).[1][2] She was certified to take 100 First Class and 82 Third Class passengers.[3] Sanct Svithun was named after Saint Swithun – the patron saint of Stavanger.[4]
Pre-Second World War
After her delivery from the Free City of Danzig Sanct Svithun was employed on the passenger/freight line between Bergen in Western Norway and various ports in Northern Norway. In 1931 she was rebuilt with a refrigerated cargo hold to enable her to transport fresh fish from the fisheries in Northern Norway. During the rebuild she was also fitted with wireless telegraphy.[1] She was a popular ship amongst her passengers, with a large superstructure and a spacious promenade deck with a look-out salon in the bow area. Sanct Svithun was also known as a superbly seaworthy vessel.[3]
Second World War
When
Sinking
On Thursday 30 September 1943 Sanct Svithun was on her way southwards off the Stad peninsula in Western Norway,[5] from Ålesund to Måløy.[6] As was the case with all Norwegian ships operating in German-occupied Norway she had her name and NORGE (English: NORWAY)[7] painted on both her sides. Large Norwegian flags were also painted both on her sides and on her roof. Her complement of passengers consisted of both Norwegian civilians and German military personnel. Although a civilian ship on a regular cargo and passenger route she had German anti-aircraft artillery on board and these guns were always manned by German soldiers.[5]
At 19:00, when Sanct Svithun was in a position between the islets of
Reactions to the sinking of SS Sanct Svithun
The
The sinking was featured heavily in the Nazi-controlled Norwegian newspapers, with the Norwegian national socialist party Nasjonal Samling's official publication Fritt Folk used the incident in its anti-Allied propaganda, calling the attack "a horrifyings enemy deed".[6]
On 20 May 1944 the
Post-war memorial
In gratitude to the villagers of Ervik's rescue efforts the shipping company, Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab, donated in 1970 the
References and notes
- References
- ^ a b c d Lawson, Siri Holm. "D/S Sanct Svithun". Warsailors.com. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
- ^ "Sanct Svithun (5606672)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ a b c Bakka 1993: 54
- ^ "Den hellige Svithun av Winchester (~800-862)". Diocese of Oslo (in Norwegian). 7 August 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g Hafsten 1991: 182
- ^ a b c d e Kleppa, Hermund (2000). "Minnekapellet i Ervik og "Sanct Svithun"-tragedien". Sogn og Fjordane County Municipality (in Norwegian). Retrieved 23 November 2008.
- ^ Hafsten 1991: 181
- ^ a b c d Voksø 1994: 365
- ^ "Bergen: Wrecks in Western Norway (page 5)". divenorway.com. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
- ^ Voksø 1994: 370
- ^ Engdal 2006: 200
- Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation(in Norwegian). Sogn og Fjordane County Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Ervik kapell". Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (in Norwegian). Sogn og Fjordane County Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ Djupedal, Torkjell; Sigurd Vengen (2000). "Ervik kyrkje". Sogn og Fjordane County Municipality (in Norwegian). Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- Notes
- county municipality(in Norwegian). Retrieved 23 November 2008.
Bibliography
- Bakka, Dag Jr. (1993). Skipene som bandt kysten sammen – Hurtigruten gjennom 100 år (in Norwegian). Bergen: Rhema Forlag.
- Engdal, Odd G. (2006). Norsk marinehistorisk atlas 900–2005 (in Norwegian). Bergen: Vigmostad & Bjørke AS. ISBN 82-419-0454-1.
- Hafsten, Bjørn; Ulf Larsstuvold; Bjørn Olsen; Sten Stenersen (1991). Flyalarm – luftkrigen over Norge 1939–1945 (in Norwegian) (1st ed.). Oslo: Sem og Stenersen AS. ISBN 82-7046-058-3.
- ISBN 82-7010-245-8.
Further reading
- Hoddevik, Jan Petter (2008). Krigsforliset "Sanct Svithun" (in Norwegian and English). Førde: Selja forlag. ISBN 978-82-91722-90-0.