SS Persier (1918) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Operator |
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| Port of registry |
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| Builder | Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd |
| Yard number | 248 |
| Launched | February 1918 |
| Completed | June 1918 |
| Out of service | 1941–43 |
| Identification |
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| Fate | Torpedoed and sunk on 11 February 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Cargo ship |
| Tonnage |
|
| Length | 400 ft 2 in (121.97 m) |
| Beam | 52 ft 3 in (15.93 m) |
| Draught | 25 ft 3 in (7.70 m) |
| Depth | 28 ft 5 in (8.66 m) |
| Propulsion | Triple expansion steam engine |
| Speed | 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h) |
| Crew | 51 |
The Persier was a large cargo ship built in 1918. It was first named War Buffalo and belonged to the British Shipping Controller. In 1919, the ship was sold to Belgium and got its new name, Persier. For several years, it could also carry passengers.
In February 1941, a big storm pushed the Persier onto the coast of Iceland. This accident kept the ship out of service for two years while it was being repaired. It returned to the sea in February 1943. However, on February 11, 1945, a German submarine, U-1017, attacked and sank the Persier. Sadly, 20 crew members lost their lives.
Contents
Ship Design and Features
The Persier was built in 1918 by Northumberland Shipbuilding Ltd in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was finished in June of that year.
The ship was 400 feet 2 inches (121.97 m) long, which is about the length of a football field. It was 52 feet 3 inches (15.93 m) wide. The ship's depth was 28 feet 5 inches (8.66 m), and it sat 25 feet 3 inches (7.70 m) deep in the water. It was a cargo ship, meaning it was designed to carry goods.
The Persier was powered by a triple expansion steam engine. This type of engine uses steam to turn a propeller, moving the ship through the water. The engine was built by North East Marine Engine Co. It allowed the ship to travel at a speed of 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h).
Ship's Journey Through Time
The ship started its life as War Buffalo for the British Shipping Controller. Its home port was London. In 1919, it was sold to a Belgian company called Lloyd Royal Belge SA in Antwerp and was renamed Persier. This was the second ship for that company to be called Persier.
Early Adventures
On January 19, 1922, the Persier helped rescue five sailors. Their ship, the Eileen Lake, had sunk in the Atlantic Ocean near Newfoundland. In 1930, Lloyd Royal Belge joined with another company to form Compagnie Maritime Belge SA. From 1934, the Persier was also allowed to carry passengers.
World War II Service
In May 1940, the Persier played a part in Operation Dynamo. This was a huge effort to rescue Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, during World War II.
Later, in December 1940, while anchored in Oban, Scotland, the Persier was near an air raid. German bombers attacked, and even though the Persier wasn't directly hit, it was damaged. Leaks were found during its next trip across the Atlantic Ocean. Repairs were needed, which caused the ship to fall behind its convoy.
Storm and Repairs
On February 28, 1941, the Persier faced a terrible storm near Iceland. The storm was so strong it ripped off a hatch cover and caused the steering and electrical systems to fail. The ship ended up stranded and badly damaged.
It took a long time to fix the Persier. It was refloated in April and towed to Reykjavík for first repairs. Later, it broke its back because it wasn't supported enough and had to be beached again. After more efforts, it was finally refloated in May 1942. The ship was then towed to a shipyard in England for major repairs, which finished in February 1943.
Final Voyages
After its repairs, the Persier returned to service in February 1943. It made several trips across the Atlantic, carrying important cargo. For example, in September 1943, it carried steel and woodpulp from Halifax to Liverpool and then to London.
In 1944, during the planning for Operation Overlord (the invasion of France), the Persier was chosen to be a blockship. Blockships were old ships sunk on purpose to create barriers. However, the plan changed, and the Persier was refitted and sent back to sea.
The Last Mission
On February 8, 1945, the Persier began its final journey. It was part of a convoy carrying food to the people of Belgium, who had been freed but were starving. The ship was carrying a lot of food, including soup, dried eggs, and meat.
On February 11, 1945, the Persier was near the Eddystone Lighthouse when it was hit by a torpedo from the German submarine U-1017. The ship began to sink by its front end and tilted to one side. Sadly, 20 of the 51 crew members, along with some naval personnel and stowaways, died. Other ships nearby quickly came to rescue the survivors. Even though efforts were made to tow the Persier, it eventually sank.
The Wreck of the Persier
In 1969, the remains of the Persier were found by divers from the Plymouth Sound British Sub-Aqua Club. The wreck lies on its side in 92 feet (28 m) of water, with the front part of the ship at a depth of 59 feet (18 m).
Today, the wreck of the Persier is a home for many sea creatures, including conger eels and lobsters. It's a popular spot for divers.
