SS ELFI, ex JOHANNA
Posted by:
Wrecktec Ron (IP Logged)
Date: September 13, 2014 11:48AM
The ELFI was a steel-hulled 1,128-ton Norwegian steam cargo vessel that measured: 70.2m in length, a 10.41m-beam and a 4.16m-draught. Rotterdam Droogdok Maats., Rotterdam built and completed her as Yard No.12 in February 1908; she was launched as the JOHANNA on January 16th 1908 for N.V. Mij. S.S. Johanna Rotterdam, with J. de Poorter the manager and registered in Rotterdam. The single steel propeller was powered by an aft positioned 147nhp, 3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used one boiler. She had one deck, a well deck, 4-watertight bulkheads and an aft superstructure consisting of a 39m-quarterdeck, a 3.9m-bridge-deck and a 7.6m-forecastle. Signal Letters: MPLH
In 1915 she was renamed ELFI by new owners Hannevig Brothers, Kristiania, Norway and registered in Kristiania.
A/S Thor O. Hannevigs D/S, Kristiania purchased her in 1916 and was the owner at the time of loss; T. O. Hannevig & Co., was the manager.
Final voyage:
SMU UC 17, commanded by Oblt.z.S. Erich Stephan, torpedoed the ELFI (Captain Thorbjørn Thorbjørnsen) on February 7th 1918, reported as being 2.5-miles SE of Sunderland. She was carrying crew of sixteen and a cargo of coal from Jarrow-on-Tyne for Rouen in France. The torpedo detonated in the engine-room and she sank very fast; six men were rescued by means of the life-float, four men jumped into the sea and they were were all saved by a British patrolboat and landed at Sunderland, but six men were killed, probably in the explosion.
Can anyone please tell me if she had one boiler or two.
My info suggests one, but a wreck believed to be hers has two boilers and it has remanined a mystery
Cheers Ron