Charted as KIRSTEN SKOU 'entire wreck' in the Marine zone. A dangerous wreck.
Vessel remains:
Lies in position 51°03.85N, 001°25.30E at a depth of 18.5m in a general depth of 29m.
Sonar dimensions: 119.8 x 39.2 x 6.3m. Orientation: 49°.
P. Haase in source 2 states that she was salvaged in 1975, and source 1 lists clearance works in 1973. Despite these
however, derricks and other wreckage was observed in 1986, and a 1994 examination concluded that 'according to
sweep plot the whole area of the wreck was not cleared at 21.9m'. in 2007, the wreckage seemed to be 'completely
collapsed' (1 - surveying details).
Documentary evidence:
Source 2 shows several photographs of the KIRSTEN SKOU, and also one of the KARPFANGER, the vessel with
which she was in a collision.
It also gives the account of the collision of the 3rd mate (Paul Haase).
'After loading a cargo in various European ports (cargo included furniture of immigrants to South Africa) we departed
Rotterdam.... six miles south of Dover, at approximately 5am... I was kicked out of my bed as we heard a huge bang.
The light ha gone out and it was a surprise that no one was hurt... my cabin door was flung open by the 2nd mate who
told me to get to the lifeboats as we were about to sink... As I looked out on the foredeck, I saw a grotesque sight, a
giant ship's hull had cut her way through out hull midway between No2 and No3 hatch, so I knew it was serious...
Both [life]boats were fortunately put out, but there was a lot of swell and it was difficult to row... our ship now lay
very deep in the water. It was a strange feeling. I remember thinking about the immigrants who now stood in Cape
Town and waited for their furniture... There were only 17 minutes from the time we were hit to when [the ship] sank.
The German ship had backed out from our hull and was now approximately 100m away. It was badly damaged, in
fact, along its entire bow. We both paddled harder and [the KARPFANGER] had thrown lines over the side so we
could climb up. On deck we were counted, and apart from some scratches... were unharmed. We got nice reception
with breakfast, some clothes and were nice and warm in their salon. While our two captains spoke a rescue boat from
Dover had been sent for, and arrived within a couple of hours. We boarded her and were taken to Dover. The German
ship proceeded slowly to the nearest yard... At Dover we got a nice reception and were equipped from head to toe.
We had to answer many questions (one frequently repeated was "how can two ships collide when they both have
radar"?)'
The use of her radar had previously come into question when the KIRSTEN SKOU grounded in the Java Sea in 1956.
It was fined 300 Kronor because the grounding was deemed a result of a 'lack of diligence and failure to use the
available navigational means...'
Built: 1952 ; 1953
Builder: Helsingor Skibsvaoerft
Where built: Elsinore
Vessel ID: 500113503
LBD: 126.79 x 17.03m
Tonnage: 4153 grt ); 4259 grt ; 7000 (2, PH account)
Propulsion: Screw driven 3SA 9 cylinder oil engine.
Speed: 16 knots
Crew: 34
Ownership: The Ove Skou lines, registered in Copenhagen.