SS Bothal
Sea inquest at Leith on 23/3 40, sea inquest at Copenhagen on 9/4 40. Loss notification dated Copenhagen 25/4 40.
At about 5.00 when BOTHAL was about 30 nautical miles north of Wick an explosion occurred and all lights onboard went out. At the same time flames were seen extending from both sides of the quarterdeck. Immediately after another explosion followed, which
separated the ship into two parts, that sank immediately. A part of the crew, that tried to save themselves on the raft on the foredeck, were sucked down with this when BOTHAL sank. When the raft came up again 5 men saved themselves on it and were on the 21/3 at 2.00 am taken onboard the lifeboat from Wick.
Note 1. The casualties are:
Captain Hans Frederik Jensen,
1st mate Ole Joan Simon Thomassen,
2nd mate Barthol Ryge Larsen. all from Copenhagen.
1st Engineer. Viggo Deleuran. Kastrup,
2nd Engineer Viktor Anton Nielsen . Copenhagen,
assistant engineer Thor Frederik Jensen. Toustrup,
steward Johan Carl Georg Schneider. , Copenhagen
cook Valdemar Christian Frederik Skjerne. Copenhagen,
boatswain Lars Peder Nielsen. Hollerød,
ordinary seaman Ove Nielsen. Højbjerg by Odder,
ordinary seaman Heinrich Booth Simonsen Odder,
stoker Hans Peter Magnus Hemmingsen, Copenhagen
stoker Elieser Martin Olsen Copenhagen
Stoker Hans Valdemar Jøns Aarhus.
messroom boy Børge Curt Dich Pedersen Usserød by Kokkedal.
Note 2. Explosion is believed to be caused by causes of war.
0500/20 Danish SS Viking and Danish SS Bothal sunk in 105° Wick 28 miles.