World War IIDS Prinsesse Ragnhild
The sinking of the coastal express ship DS Prinsesse Ragnhild on 23 October 1940 was the first wartime loss of a Hurtigruten vessel in regular service. The ship was northbound, en route from Bodø to Lofoten, when a powerful explosion tore open its hull just north of Bodø, near Landegode. Within minutes, the vessel went down. It was later revealed that Prinsesse Ragnhild had struck a British mine laid on 8 April 1940.
The evacuation was marked by harrowing and chaotic scenes, particularly as panic among the many Germans on board, many of whom were unfamiliar with ships and the sea, created significant difficulties in launching the lifeboats. An extraordinary rescue effort was carried out by nearby vessels, most notably the cargo ship Batenfjord, which rescued 142 people, including 79 Norwegians.
In total, 54 passengers and 25 crew members perished. At the time of the sinking, approximately 140 German soldiers were on board; of these, 71 were rescued.
About DS Prinsesse Ragnhild
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1931
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Wrecked
23.10.1940
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Carrier
Det Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskab, Trondheim
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Tonnage
1590 dvt
