D/S Nesttun - Norwegian Merchant Fleet 1939-1945

There's a message with regard to this ship in my Guestbook, saying the following (there's no year mentioned, possibly 1939? It's an abstract from the Cromer Lifeboat records):

"The No. 1 Life-boat was launched at 11.12 am., on the 16th of November and proceeded towards the casualty reported by Haisborough Light Vessel. (Wireless communication was installed with the Light Vessel). She arrived around 12.55 p.m. and found the S.S. 'Nesttun' flying distress signals and aground. The Coxswain went on board and offered assistance to the Captain, which he accepted. Two Tugs were sent for from Yarmouth, and on arrival were connected by the Life-boat, but failed to re-float the Vessel at first tide. The Life-boat continued to stand-by, and two more tugs arrived during the night, and were also connected by the Life-boat. Further attempts to re-float the Vessel on the morning tide were unsuccessful. At 6.45 p.m., on the 17th the Vessel was re-floated and was towed by the Tugs round Haisborough Light Vessel. At the Captains request the Life-boat transferred 6 Salvage men from the Vessel to the German Tug 'Simson'. The time was then about 9.30 p.m. The wind had freshened considerably from W.N.W., but the Coxswain decided that it was best to try to return back to his Station. When off Mundesley he tried to establish wireless communication with Cromer Coastguard for instructions, but was unsuccessful. The Life-boat at the Slipway about mid-night, but found conditions too bad for re-housing. He decided to wait for low water, but at 2.30 am., further waiting being useless, he started for Wells, his petrol supply being low. At 3 a.m. he met the full force of the gale, and knowing that it would be difficult to make Wells Harbour, he turned back towards Gorleston. The Mechanic ran the engines at half speed to save petrol, and the Life-boat reached Gorleston Harbour at 8 am. with only 3 gallons of petrol left in the tanks. Just before day-break, on arrival at Gorleston, the whole of the Crew, many of them, including the Mechanic, having been wet through for nearly two days, returned to Cromer for change of clothing and rest."

The poster of this message is looking for more details about the captain and crew, so if anyone can help, please contact me at the e-mail address provided at the bottom of this page. (I've suggested he contact the Norwegian Maritime Museum and/or the National Archives. The addresses can be found towards the end of the main page of my ship lists).

Nesstun is listed as sailing in Convoy HN 17 from Norway to the U.K. in March-1940, bound for London with pulp - several Norwegian ships took part.

In July-1940 we find her in Convoy OA 186, which left Methil on July 18, dispersed on the 21st. Her destination is given as Sydney, C.B., station 82. She returned to the U.K. at the end of Aug. with the slow Sydney (C.B.)-U.K. Convoy SC 2, in which the Norwegian Gro was sunk. Nesstun had a cargo of lumber for Swansea. In Oct. that year she appears among the ships in Convoy OB 224, which left Liverpool on Oct. 5-1940 and dispersed on the 12th. Her destination on that occasion was St. John, N.B., station 43. Both these convoys are available at the first external link to the OB / OA convoys provided below. Nesttun returned to the U.K. the following month with Convoy SC 12, cargo of pit props for Sunderland.

In Febr.-1941 she shows up in the slow Halifax-U.K. Convoy SC 22, cargo of lumber for Wisbech, then in May that same year she's listed in Convoy SC 31, cargo of lumer for Milford Haven and Poole.

She took part in Operation Neptune in June-1944 (the maritime side of the invasion of Normandie), arriving with ammunition on June 13. She was damaged at Omaha, probably by a mine, but was beached while the unloading of cargo continued. The damages were temporarily repaired and she was back in the U.K. on July 17.

Related external links:
OB (& OA) convoys

OA & OB convoys

Omaha Beachhead

Omaha Beach - includes several Maps