World War IIMS Moldanger
The MS Moldanger was sailing alone from Buenos Aires to New York with hides, wool, and oil when it was torpedoed on 27 June 1942 by the German U-boat U-404 at position 38°03’N and 70°52’W. The torpedo struck the engine room, killing two men instantly. On deck, frantic efforts were made to get the lifeboats, not already damaged, into the water. Eleven men working on one of the lifeboats were killed when the second torpedo hit the ship. Sixteen men made it into the motorboat, six men into the dinghy, and nine men onto a raft. All survivors stayed together for three days. It was then decided that the boats should head towards land while leaving the raft behind. The motorboat was picked up by a Canadian warship on 7 July, and the dinghy reached Cape May on 15 July. The raft with the nine survivors drifted at sea for 47 days. They had enough bread and water for 21 days. The men on the raft made fishing lines, and they managed to catch enough fish, averaging one to two per person daily. A rainstorm saved their water supply, and they caught a turtle, which provided nourishing meat. After 28 days, a ship passed in the distance, and after 39 days, another ship came within one nautical mile. Finally, after 47 days, the survivors were rescued by the Norwegian Washington Express. They were in good physical condition. Fourteen men perished in the sinking, while thirty were rescued.
About MS Moldanger
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1933
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Wrecked
27.06.1942
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Carrier
Westfal-Larsen & Co, Bergen
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Tonnage
9762 dvt
