Passing The Sambro Light: The rescue of Kronpinsen, Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada, 1942

oil on panel,  17” x 25”

$12,500

This painting depicts the rescued M/V “Kronpinsen” being towed by S/T “Foundation Franklin” passing Sambro Island lighthouse, very close to the destination, the Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

M/V” Kronprinsen” sailed on June 7, 1942 from New York , joining Convoy BX 23A, which departed from Portland, Maine the next day and arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 10 June. M/V “Kronprinsen” was carrying general cargo, including calcium carbide, cotton and flour and she was on her maiden voyage, a brand new ship only 40 days out of the hands of her builders at Glasgow, Scotland. On this New York to Halifax voyage, all went well until they were about 125 miles from Yarmouth (Nova Scotia, Canada). There shortly after daybreak, a German submarine U-432, which was under the command of Heinz-Otto Schultze lying in wait fired two torpedoes- one at the “Kronprinsen”, the other at the ship next in line ahead. Her aim was a trifle off-the the torpedo intended for the ship ahead hit the “Kronprinsen” port side between № 1 and № 2 holds, blowing a hole 21 by 8 feet (6.4 m × 2.4 m) and flooding the holds. The second torpedo hit the stern of the same ship, destroying her rudder, causing the collapse of the aft deck and flooding № 6 hold. Her cargo was set on fire, and two crew may have been killed. The naval escort ordered Captain Jorgensen ( Her port of registry was Oslo and Norwegian crew) to abandon ship and take refuge on the rescue vessel. But soon the captain noticed that the ship had stopped settling and sent a call to four of the largest wrecking tugs available. She was to drift for twenty hours waiting for help. Two tugboats came from Boston and two from Halifax. Even with help of the powerful ocean tugs , they were five days making the scant 100 miles to the nearest coast and finally beached her at Lower East Pubnico. On 23 July, at last she was sufficiently lightened and “Kronprinsen” departed under tow, bound for Halifax where she arrived the next day. She left Halifax on October 7 she left in tow for the United States, where it would be necessary to rebuild her damaged stern. On May 25, 1943 the citizens of Halifax again had the pleasure of welcoming the M/V” Kronprinsen” skillfully repaired so that not a scar could be seen.