The cargo steamship Vis belonged to "Brodarsko Oceanija" Company from Sušak which possesed a big fleet of ships during the period between the two world wars. It was built in Great Britain in 1921 under the name Renteria. Like many other ships in that time Vis had a triple expansion steam engine, four cargo spaces, two in front and other two in back of the ship. When Second World War started in 1939 Vis got the big title "JUGOSLAV" and country flag, thus submarines and navy ships could recognize the ship is from neutral zone. However, in April 1941 when Yugoslavia was occupied, all ships spotted by Great Britain or American submarines were captured and used for military service. After all, Vis had sailed along American coast, as a part of many convoys, in standard route Cuba - North America - Canada and till the end of the Second World War successfully avoided all German traps.
In the end of the war Vis was sent to transport cargo from America to England and then to continue to Oran in North Africa. After a few journeys it was sent to Split, Rijeka and Trieste. On 13th of February 1946 Vis moved to Raša in Istria where it suposed to embark the coil. The weather was calm with slow side wind. The Captain was ordered to avoid mine fields which were not swept yet. In 9:30 Vis was in front of horn Mašnjak near the Plomin when suddenly ship hit an undersea mine. The foremast felt down with some ship equipment. The ship was ripped in front right side. First reaction of Captain Frano Jurkovic was to abandon ship, while the crew tried to save what can be saved Officer Sveto Ratkovic and deck leader Ante Kraljevic prepared life saving rafts. The ship was sinking very fast thus they were unable to lift down boats. When they entered rafts, Vis was already sunk. Three crewmembers died, the rest was picked up by nearest motor sailboat and moved to Plomin hospital.
|
Name:
