ST Voorbode
{{Short description|Fishing vessel used as a transport by the Germans during World War II}}
{{No footnotes|date=June 2009}}
| {{Infobox ship begin |display title=ST Voorbode |infobox caption=ST Voorbode}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image= |Ship caption= }} {{Infobox ship career |Hide header= |Ship name= |Ship owner= |Ship operator= |Ship registry= |Ship route= |Ship ordered= |Ship builder= |Ship original cost= |Ship yard number= |Ship way number= |Ship laid down= |Ship launched= |Ship completed= |Ship christened= |Ship acquired= |Ship maiden voyage= |Ship in service= |Ship out of service= |Ship identification= |Ship fate=Exploded 1944 |Ship notes= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class= |Ship type=trawler |Ship tonnage= |Ship displacement= |Ship length= |Ship beam= |Ship height= |Ship draught= |Ship draft= |Ship depth= |Ship decks= |Ship deck clearance= |Ship ramps= |Ship ice class= |Ship sail plan= |Ship power= |Ship propulsion= |Ship speed= |Ship capacity= |Ship crew= |Ship notes= }} |
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-117-0353-34, Norwegen, Bergen, brennendes Gebäude.jpg
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-117-0354-39, Norwegen, Bergen, beschädigte Gebäude.jpg, close to the quay where the ship exploded]]
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-117-0353-29, Norwegen, Bergen, Motorschiff "Rogaland".jpg
The Dutch steam trawler Voorbode was a fishing vessel, until it was confiscated by the Germans during World War II and used for military transport. In April 1944, it was on its way from Oslo to Kirkenes when it had mechanical problems, forcing it to seek repairs in Bergen, Norway. The ship was allowed to enter Bergen harbour loaded with {{convert|124000|kg|abbr=on}} of explosives, even though it did not satisfy security regulations and should not have been allowed into a major city with this cargo.
Resulting damage
On 20 April at 8:39, the ship exploded at the quay in the center of Bergen. The force of the explosion caused a water column that was hundreds of metres high, spreading heavy debris. Several ships were thrown on land and Voorbode{{'}}s anchor was later found on the {{convert|417|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} mountain Sandviksfjellet at {{coord|60.41756|N|5.34043|E|type:landmark}} {{convert|3|km|mi}} from the blast area. The air pressure from the explosion and the tsunami that followed flattened whole neighbourhoods near the harbour; then fires broke out and further destroyed the wooden houses, leaving 5,000 people homeless; 160 people were killed and 5,000 wounded, mostly civilians. The Nykirken was among the buildings which were severely damaged.
Reporting
The Germans initially tried to conceal the extent of the catastrophe, probably because it exposed their failure to maintain security regulations. Because the explosion occurred on Adolf Hitler's birthday, there was some suspicion of sabotage, but investigations revealed that the explosion was an accident caused by self-ignition. Rescue efforts after the event were extensive and have been well documented.
References
External links
- {{cite web |url=http://www.bergen.kommune.no/byarkivet_/ekstern/20.april_1944.html |title=20. april 1944 |website=Bergen City Archive |language=Norwegian |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155645/http://www.bergen.kommune.no/byarkivet_/ekstern/20.april_1944.html |archivedate=2007-09-30}}
- {{cite web |url=http://web.hist.uib.no/delfag-h97/tormod/explo.htm |title=The Explosion |website=Universitetet i Bergen |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811094653/http://web.hist.uib.no/delfag-h97/tormod/explo.htm |archivedate=2011-08-11}}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.warsailors.com/homefleetsingles/rogaland.html |title=D/S Rogaland |website=Warsailors}}
{{coord|60|23|58|N|5|18|59|E|source:kolossus-nowiki|display=title}}
{{April 1944 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Voorbode}}
Category:20th century in Bergen
Category:Ships of the Netherlands
Category:World War II auxiliary ships of Germany
Category:World War II shipwrecks in the North Sea