Charted as NAGRO (Possibly) in the Marine zone.
Vessel remains:
Lies in position 51°13.04N, 001°51.07E at a depth of 31m in a general depth of 37m.
Sonar dimension: 43.8 x 9.6 x 6.1m. Orientation: 107°. Scour depth 1.6m.
'Intact and lies on starboard side.'
Documentary evidence:
The coordinates 51°13.00N, 001°51.11E for the wreck given by source 2, tally quite closely to the charted location of
the wreck, so although the identity of the vessel at that location is not confirmed, only one record has been created for
the NAGRO.
Source 2 gives the coordinates where she is supposed to have sunk as 51°37N, 001°51E. But it seems likely, given the
storm conditions, that the wreckage of this relatively small vessel may have been washed/drifted for some distance
before coming to rest.
'`At 8.15 pm the Dover Strait Coastguards received an SOS from the NAGRO stating that she had developed a 25°
list which was getting worse. Only three minutes later a Mayday call was made saying "Off East Goodwin, turning
over..." Lifeboats were called out from Walmer, Ramsgate and Dover, assisted by two helicopters, a US aircraft and
other ships in the area. Despite 20 hours of searching, although some floating wreckage was found north-east of
Margate, nothing of the NAGRO was ever found. The coastguards at St Margaret's Bay reported that the wind at the
time the NAGRO capsized was force 10.'
Built: 1950
Where built: Vegesack
Builder: Fr. Lurssen Yacht und Bootswerf
LBD: 38.4 x 7.5m ; Depth 3.25m as built.
1955 'lengthened and heightened by Jadewerft' of Wilhelmshaven, to 46.80 x 7.53 x 3.8m
Tonnage: 395 grt ; 300 grt; 426 displ. as built; 395 grt, and 650 displ after enlargement of 1955.
Propulsion: Screw-driven diesel engine
Speed: 9 knots
Number of crew is not known but all were lost.
Ownership / registration:
Built as FLUT in 1950, and registered in Bremen to Heinrick Pieper , enlarged in 1955 ;
1965 Sold to Rudolf Heykes and re-named STROM. Registered in Bremen ;
1972 Registered to MS Horgan and registered in Mogadishu as the NAGRO.
Source 2 gives her point of departure on this final voyage as Duclair, while source states that she sailed from
Rouen. It is not known which is correct.