SS Dettifoss

SS Dettifoss was an Icelandic Cargo Ship that was Torpedoed by German submarine U-1064 in the Irish Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) out of Belfast, United Kingdom (55°03′N 5°29′W), while she was travelling from New York, United States to Belfast, United Kingdom and later to Reykjavík, Iceland.

SS Dettifoss.
History
Name: Dettifoss
Owner: Eimskipafelag Hf.
Port of registry: Reykjavík, Iceland
Builder: Frederikshavns Vaerft & Flydedok A/S
Launched: 24 July 1930
Completed: 1930
Identification:
  • TFDA
Fate: Torpedoed and sunk 21 February 1945
General characteristics
Type: Cargo Ship
Tonnage: 1,564 GRT
Length: 72.2 metres (236 ft 11 in)
Beam: 11 metres (36 ft 1 in)
Depth: 6.4 metres (21 ft 0 in)
Installed power: Compound expansion engine
Propulsion: Screw propeller
Speed: 10 knots
Capacity: 44 Passengers and Crew

Construction

Dettifoss was constructed in 1930 at the Frederikshavns Vaerft & Flydedok A/S shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark.

The ship was 72.2 metres (236 ft 11 in) long, with a beam of 11 metres (36 ft 1 in) and a depth of 6.4 metres (21 ft 0 in). The ship was assessed at 1,564 GRT. She had a Compound expansion engine driving a single screw propeller and the engine was rated at 124 nhp.

Sinking

On 21 February 1945, Dettifoss was on a voyage in Convoy UR 155 from New York, United States to Belfast, United Kingdom and later to Reykjavík, Iceland with a general cargo of 1300 tons. When she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-1064 at 08.39 hours in the Irish Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) out of Belfast. Dettifoss sank within 7 minutes resulting in the death of 12 crew members and 3 passengers. The 29 survivors (18 crew and 11 passengers) were picked up an hour after the sinking by HMS Fusilier (T305) and were then taken to Scotland and later to Iceland. The sinking of Dettifoss was a harsh blow so soon after the loss of SS Godafoss. All public activities in Iceland were cancelled on 24 February 1945. [1]

Wreck

The wreck lies at (55°03′N 5°29′W).

References
  1. "Dettifoss". uboat.net. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
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