World War IIDS Mira
The Norwegian coastal express vessel DS Mira was en route from Svolvær to Narvik when, on 4 March 1941, it was attacked by the British destroyer HMS Bedouin off Brettenes during the British raid on Svolvær. Bedouin fired warning shots to compel Mira to stop, but the vessel continued. A second shot struck the forepart of Mira, and when the ship still did not halt, Bedouin opened fire in earnest. Mira sustained heavy damage and came to a stop. Crew and passengers abandoned ship in the lifeboats, after which the vessel was sunk.
One crew member and three passengers were killed in the shelling, and twelve others were wounded. The reason Mira did not stop in response to the British warnings is believed to be that a German officer, pistol in hand, had threatened the captain into continuing. Those in the lifeboats were picked up by Bedouin. Three of the wounded later died in hospital, one of them in Aberdeen, where some of the injured had been taken by the destroyer. One German officer and twelve soldiers were also brought to the United Kingdom.
About DS Mira
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1891
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Wrecked
04.03.1941
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Carrier
Det Bergenske Dampskipsselskap, Bergen
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Tonnage
998 brt
