This Copenhagen registered steamer was sunk along with its partner, Rhone, by a submarine torpedo from U-14, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Herbert Wohlfarth, at German position AN1699. The Rhone was first attacked and sank within two minutes.
The Sleipner was alongside the Rhone and within 15mins she too was attacked and sank to the bottom. The Sleipner carried a crew of twenty-three and eighteen passengers, including Greek seamen going to Denmark to join a ship. Seven seamen and six passengers were reported missing. Three of the Sleipner's small-boats engaged in rescue work of both crews, (men were said to have died as they were picked up) and one of the three boats disappeared in the darkness never to be seen again. Among the victims was a woman stewardess.
The two remaining boats, heavily laden with nineteen and twenty respectively, were rowed for nine hours before being sighted by the Swedish fishing boat, Standard, thirty-five miles from Wick. The Standard came into port with the survivors and doctors and ambulances awaited her arrival. Four men were slightly injured. The others enjoyed the hospitality of the Deep sea Mission before going south by rail.
The Sleipner was carrying coal and was bound for Esbjerg, Denmark. Possible position 58 18 00N, 01 46 00W.
Later in the day, at 2125 hours, U-14 torpedoed and sank Swedish coal ship Osmed, twenty miles north of Kinnaird Head in eastern Scotland, killing thirteen. Seven survivors were rescued by British trawler Loch Hope. At 2135 hours, U-14 struck one more time on this date, sinking Swedish coal ship Liana with one torpedo. Ten men were killed, two were rescued by British trawler Loch Hope, and eight were rescued by Swedish steamer Santos.
The Sleipner (ex-Trondhjem) was built in 1915. She was steel built and 70.5m long by 10.7m wide by 6.4m deep. Her triple expansion engined delivered 150 nhp and she could make 11 knots. She was 1066 gross registered tons.
The Sleipner was alongside the Rhone and within 15mins she too was attacked and sank to the bottom. The Sleipner carried a crew of twenty-three and eighteen passengers, including Greek seamen going to Denmark to join a ship. Seven seamen and six passengers were reported missing. Three of the Sleipner's small-boats engaged in rescue work of both crews, (men were said to have died as they were picked up) and one of the three boats disappeared in the darkness never to be seen again. Among the victims was a woman stewardess.
The two remaining boats, heavily laden with nineteen and twenty respectively, were rowed for nine hours before being sighted by the Swedish fishing boat, Standard, thirty-five miles from Wick. The Standard came into port with the survivors and doctors and ambulances awaited her arrival. Four men were slightly injured. The others enjoyed the hospitality of the Deep sea Mission before going south by rail.
The Sleipner was carrying coal and was bound for Esbjerg, Denmark. Possible position 58 18 00N, 01 46 00W.
Later in the day, at 2125 hours, U-14 torpedoed and sank Swedish coal ship Osmed, twenty miles north of Kinnaird Head in eastern Scotland, killing thirteen. Seven survivors were rescued by British trawler Loch Hope. At 2135 hours, U-14 struck one more time on this date, sinking Swedish coal ship Liana with one torpedo. Ten men were killed, two were rescued by British trawler Loch Hope, and eight were rescued by Swedish steamer Santos.
The Sleipner (ex-Trondhjem) was built in 1915. She was steel built and 70.5m long by 10.7m wide by 6.4m deep. Her triple expansion engined delivered 150 nhp and she could make 11 knots. She was 1066 gross registered tons.