Posted by Billy McGee w.mcgee@ntlworld.com on September 29, 2001.

The ammunition ship Fort La Montee blew up in the Port of Algiers 4th August 1943. Can anyone give me anymore information on the circumstances surrounding the loss of this ship as she does not seem to of been classed as a war loss, which would indicate it was an accident.
Could you also give me information who owned her, I know these Fort ships were part of the MOWT, do you know the original owners.

RESPONSE:

Posted by Th. Dorgeist Marine - Doku - Zen. Th. Dorgeist@Web.de on September 29.

Hallo Billy !

FORT LA MONTEE [ BKNL ]

7134 BRT 4244 NRT 1942 gebaut

Ministry of War Transport on bareboat charter from W.S.A. ( Owners )
J. & C. Harrison, Ld., Mgrs. Heimathafen London

Mit General- Cargo von der Tyne für Algier in Algier in Brand geraten, explodiert
und anschließend selbstversenkt ( scuttled )
Opfer ?
Bei der Explosion sank der britische Dampfschlepper CORY BROS ( 38 BRT )
und wurde der britische Zerstörer ARROW stärker beschädigt.

Lloyd’s London behandelte Feuer und Explosion als Unfall !

Gruß
Theo