World War IIMS Thorstrand
MS Thorstrand was en route from Liverpool to St. Johns with 1,500 tons of general cargo, traveling independently at a speed of 15 knots. On March 5, 1943, several German U-boats were spotted. By changing course and firing the ship’s cannon, Thorstrand was able to keep the U-boats at bay for several hours. The next day, the vessel was struck by a torpedo from the German U-boat U-172 at position 41°23’N and 42°50’W. Three men were killed instantly, while a fourth died after jumping from the ship. Thorstrand sank within 20 minutes. A total of 35 crew members and eight passengers were rescued. The following morning, the motorboat took the other lifeboats in tow, heading for the Azores. That afternoon, one lifeboat was abandoned due to leakage, and three wounded were transferred to the motorboat. The motorboat was picked up by an American ship on March 14, and the survivors were landed in Casablanca on March 21. The other lifeboat reached Flores, Azores, 11 days after the torpedoing. Five men lost their lives in the sinking.
About MS Thorstrand
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1938
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Wrecked
06.03.1943
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Carrier
Thor Dahl, Sandefjord
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Tonnage
2350 dvt
