D/S Miranda

To Miranda on the "Ships starting with M" page.


Source: Bjørn Milde's postcard collection.

Final Fate - 1940:

Miranda was on a voyage from Blyth to Oslo with a cargo of coal when she on Jan. 21 -1940 was torpedoed by U-22* (Jenisch). She had a crew of 17, 14 died. The 3 survivors were taken to Kirkwall. Norway was still neutral at the time.

*J. Rohwer has confirmed that the culprit was U-22, and not U-57, as listed in his book "Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two". He adds that what he has about Tekla and Foxen in his book is also incorrect; he believes Tekla was sunk by U-55, Foxen by U-57.

According to a visitor to my website, position given in "Off Scotland" (which lists virtually all wrecks around the Scottish coast, private publication) is 30 miles northwest of Peterhead, agreeing with Charles Hocking, who dates it to Jan. 20, adding she was sunk by mine OR torpedo.

Related external links:
Casualties - Jan. 21 is given here. The following are commemorated at this memorial in Stavern, Norway:
Engineer Einar Kjell Arnesen, Seaman Halvard Bakkelund, Cook Ferdinant Eriksen, Able Seaman John Gotfred Gustavsen, Captain Asser Hiorth, Steward Otto Marinius Johansen, Seaman Edvard Hjalmar Mathisen, Stoker Ingvald Moldekleiv, Cook Erling Myrlie, Donkeyman Paul Pedersen, Mate Bjørn-Erik Rasmussen, Chief Engineer Sivert Martin Simonsen, Ordiary Seaman Albert Skråmestø, and Deck Boy Ottar Birger Øverby.

Operations Information for U-57

U-57 | Klaus Korth

Back to Miranda on the "Ships starting with M" page.

Norway also had a Miranda much later, built 1971, 496 gt. Became Mistral of Stockholm in 1980, Miranda of Haugesund 1985, rebuilt. Sold to Kristiansund in 1990. Ran aground on Jan. 26-1991 south of Grindavik, Iceland, refloated but sank the next day under tow to Hafnarfjordur. No casualties.

The text on this page was compiled with the help of: "Nortraships flåte", J. R. Hegland, "Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two", Jürgen Rohwer and E-mail from same, "Dictionary of Disasters at Sea during the Age of Steam - including sailing ships and ships of war lost in Action 1824-1962" by Charles Hocking, and misc. (ref. My sources).