World War IIDS Kosmos II
The floating whale factory DS Kosmos II was en route from New York to the United Kingdom in a convoy consisting of 45 ships. On 28 October 1942, the convoy was attacked by eight German U-boats. Kosmos II was hit by its first torpedo from the German U-boat U-606. The ship immediately caught fire. There were strong winds and heavy seas, complicating the situation further when 50 Greek passengers panicked and, without orders, began launching the lifeboats. The crew eventually gained control of the situation, and after 10 minutes, orders were given to launch the lifeboats and prepare alongside the ship. Fifty of the crew remained on board to fight the fire, which they successfully extinguished. Meanwhile, the crew and passengers who had boarded the lifeboats were taken aboard a British merchant vessel and its escort. The remaining crew regained control of the engine and attempted to rejoin the convoy. However, another torpedo hit Kosmos II, and the ship immediately began sinking. The remaining motor lifeboat was destroyed, and the people had no choice but to jump into the sea or run to the rafts as the U-boat opened fire on the whale factory. A final torpedo, this time from U-624, ended the ship. The last survivors were rescued by the previously mentioned merchant vessel under difficult conditions in rough seas.
The torpedoing of Kosmos II did not cost any lives, but 19 Norwegians from the crew, six Norwegian soldiers, and one Norwegian and two Greek passengers were killed when the British merchant ship that had rescued them was torpedoed on 29 October 1942. Additionally, five of the 20 Norwegian officers who had been enlisted as officer candidates for the navy perished.
About DS Kosmos II
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1931
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Wrecked
29.10.1942
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Carrier
Anders Jahre, Sandefjord
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Tonnage
25410 dvt
