Name Dettifoss Port of registry Reykjavík, Iceland Maiden voyage 1930 Depth 6.4 m | Owner Eimskipafelag Hf. Completed 1930 Length 72 m Beam 11 m | |
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Builder Frederikshavns Vaerft & Flydedok A/S | ||
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.
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Construction
Dettifoss was constructed in 1930 at the Frederikshavns Vaerft & Flydedok A/S shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark. She was completed in 1930 and she was named Dettifoss and served from 1930 until her demise in 1945. 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.
Wreck
The wreck lies at (55°03′N 5°29′W).