Port of registry Sandefjord, Norway Completed 1904 Length 71 m Beam 11 m | Yard number 50 Maiden voyage 1904 Depth 6.2 m | |
Name Kristiania (1904–1912)
Bøilefos (1912–1915)
Ajax (1915–1917) Owner Thorvik, Nils M. - Bris A/S D/S Builder Framnæs Mekaniske Værksted | ||
SS Ajax was a Norwegian cargo ship that was blown up by SM UC-17 in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère, France, while she was travelling from Rufisque, Senegal to Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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Construction
Ajax was constructed in 1904 with yard no. 50 at the Framnæs Mekaniske Værksted - FMV - (Framnæs) A/S shipyard in Sandefjord, Norway. She was completed in 1904 and sailed under the name Kristiania and under the name Bøilefos. But was finally named Ajax in 1915 until her demise in 1917. She remained operative until her sinking on 22 February 1917.
The ship was 70.7 metres (231 ft 11 in) long, with a beam of 10.7 metres (35 ft 1 in). She had a depth of 6.2 metres (20 ft 4 in). The ship was assessed at 1,468 GRT. She had a triple expansion steam engine driving a single screw propeller. The engine was rated at 128 nhp.
Sinking
On 22 February 1917, Ajax was on a voyage from Rufisque, Senegal to Liverpool, United Kingdom. She was stopped and blown up by SM UC-17, 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère, France. The ship sank with no loss of life. At the time of her sinking Ajax was carrying a cargo of peanuts. The ship sank to a depth of over 80 metres (260 ft). It is unknown how many men survived the sinking.
Wreck
The wreck sits 80 to 84 metres (262 to 276 ft) deep.