World War IIDS Bjørkhaug

On the 16th of July 1943, the DS. Bjørkhaug was docked in Alger and was loading scrap metal; empty cartridges and German and Italian landmines, the mines were declared safe. In the afternoon, a strong explosion happened and blew the entire foredeck and the midship building was torn down. The aft section floated with the midship partially under water. The crew from the aft managed to get to shore by themselves, but the survivors from the midship were picked up by a motorboat. Everyone in the forecastle was killed instantly. The destruction of the ship caused a lot fires in the dock areama, it is later estimated that about a thousand died in the accident, primarily dock workers. From the crew of Bjørkhaug four Norwegians, one Dane, three Britons and a Russian was killed along with seven wounded.

About DS Bjørkhaug

  • Nationality

    Flag Norway

  • Built

    1919

  • Wrecked

    16.07.1943

  • Carrier

    (Elling Aarseth) Ålesund

  • Tonnage

    3200 dvt

Casualties