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D/S Luna To Luna on the "Ships starting with L" page. Manager: Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen Delivered in June-1911 from Laxevaags Maskin- & Jernskibsbyggeri, Bergen (111) as cargo vessel Luna to Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen. Steel hull, 213.9’ x 32.1’ x 12.7’, 959 gt, 1400 tdwt, Triple Expansion (Laxevaags) 115nhp, 9 knots, Captain Trygve Eckhoff. On Aug. 14-1916, when on a voyage Trondheim-London with lumber there was an explosion on board. She had just stopped by Tyne and was on her way south when the explosion occurred near Withernsea Light. According to Uboat.net (see link above) the explosion was caused by a torpedo from the German U-boat UC 63, and date is given as Aug. 14-1917. The crew took to the lifeboats, but Mess Girl Jenny Eckmann was missing, probably killed in the explosion (she was later found on board). 2 crew members were injured. The survivors managed to get the attention of a British patrolboat and an attempt was made to tow Luna to shore, but the towline broke. However, about half an hour later a British destroyer came by which contacted a tug. When this arrived the captain and 5 men reboarded Luna, and she was subsequently towed to Cleethorpes Sands near Grimsby and beached. Repaired in Hull. She was still in service to UK for BDS as per March-1917, but that year she was requisitioned by The Shipping Controller, London, managed by W. Coupland & Co. Ltd., ?. Returned to owners in 1919. As per the summer of 1939 she was in use in the company's cargo lines between the north and south of Norway.
Jan-Olof, Sweden has told me that "Lloyd's War Losses", Vol I states Luna was sunk by a submarine while on a voyage from London to Trondheim with general cargo, including rubber hose, zinc plates and hessian cloth. Jürgen Rohwer says this took place on Dec. 31-1939, and U-32 (Büchel) was the culprit. Position is given as 58 48N 02 20E. The survivors were picked up by Colombia of Haugesund. (Norwegian sources state that Luna was en route to Stavanger at the time, adding that the torpedo hit aft). According to the last external website that I've linked to below there were no casualties. For info, U-32 was also responsible for the loss of Jern, Altair, Eli Knudsen, Norne and Tancred - follow the links for dates and further details. Related external links: Operations information for U-32 Back to Luna on the "Ships starting with L" page. Bergenske D/S had a motor vessel by this name after the war, delivered in May-1947 from Moss Værft & Dokk, Moss. Ran ground near Senja on Dec. 7-1963, refloated, but condemned. Sold for breaking up in Jan.-1964, drifted ashore while anchored up off the breakwater in Bodø en route to Oslo in tow and sank Jan. 23. Raised, laid up at Meisfjord, sold to German breakers in Apr.-1968 and towed to Cuxhaven, loaded with sracp iron. (Source: Bergenske, byen og selskapet", Dag Bakka Jr.). The text on this page was compiled with the help of: "Lloyd's War Losses", Vol I, "Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two", Jürgen Rowher (see my sources) and misc. Pre war details were received from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Article about BDS in "Skipet" 1-2.88 by Dag Bakka Jr. and "Norges eldste Linjerederi, BDS 1851-1951", Wilhelm Keilhau
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