World War IIMS Knute Nelson

When the Second World War broke out in September 1939, the British passenger ship Athenia was sunk without warning by a German U-boat west of Ireland. The Norwegian MS Knute Nelson was quickly on the scene and rescued 450 people.

On 27 September 1944, Knute Nelson was en route from Bergen to Oslo in ballast when the vessel struck a mine laid by a French submarine off Jærens Rev during heavy seas and strong gale conditions. Nine members of the Norwegian crew were lost in the sinking. The ship also carried a German gun crew of approximately 50 men; more than half of the anti-aircraft personnel perished with the vessel.

About MS Knute Nelson

  • Nationality

    Flag Norway

  • Built

    1926

  • Wrecked

    27.09.1944

  • Carrier

    Fred Olsen & Co., Kristiania / Oslo

  • Tonnage

    9600 dvt

Casualties