World War IIMT Stigstad
The MT Stigstad was en route from the United Kingdom to New York in ballast. For four days, this convoy was attacked by 18 German U-boats. In a severe storm, Stigstad fell several miles behind the convoy and lost sight of it completely. Several German U-boats were positioned behind the convoy, and Stigstad was torpedoed on 21 February 1943 by the German U-boats U-332 and U-603 at position 49°26’N and 29°08’W, with a total of three torpedoes. Two lifeboats and a raft with four men were launched. The ship sank within four minutes. All crew members made it off the ship wearing life vests and were rescued by the lifeboat. Three members of the crew must have improperly donned their life belts, as they were found drowned with their heads submerged in the water. One of the U-boats surfaced, asked the usual questions, and then disappeared. However, it returned half an hour later, throwing several boxes of bread, herring, butter, and other supplies down to the 34 men in the overloaded lifeboat, which had only an inch of freeboard. A sail was set towards Ireland, and 14 days later, they were spotted by an Irish trawler, which rescued the men and landed them in Valentia the following day. Three men perished in the sinking.
About MT Stigstad
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1927
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Wrecked
21.02.1943
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Carrier
A. F. Klaveness & Co., Kristiania / Oslo
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Tonnage
8500 dvt
