World War IIMS Ringstad
MV Ringstad was on a journey from Cardiff to St. Johns N.B. loaded with 2.600-tons of Kaolinite. The ship ventured alone after the convoy disbanded because of several days of storm. On the 24th of January 1942, the ship was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-333 in the position 4550N, 5104W. Two hatches were blown open, and the rooms of the ship were quickly filled with water. Ringstad sank slowly, and the entire crew managed to board the three lifeboats. Winds and rough seas split the three lifeboats apart. 13 men in the motor lifeboat managed to keep it going for 5 days in a bone chilling north wind and sea spray which constantly cowered the boat in ice. On the 29th of January, were they observed by an airplane and rescued by an American Destroyer and brought to Reykjavik. The two other lifeboats were never found. The rescued Captain Jacob K. Knudstad stated in his report that the 30 missing people from the two lifeboats were most likely died of exposure. 27 from the crew and three passengers perished in the sinking.
About MS Ringstad
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1923
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Wrecked
24.01.1942
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Carrier
Olav Ringdal, Oslo
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Tonnage
7618 dvt
