| History | |
|---|---|
 German Empire | |
| Name | Theben |
| Owner | Kosmos Line |
| Route | German Empire—South America |
| Builder | Reiherstieg Schiffswerfte & Maschinenfabrik, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 316 |
| Completed | 1878 |
| History | |
| German Empire | |
| Name | Thasos |
| Owner | Deutsche Levante-Linie |
| Route | German Empire—Black Sea countries |
| Acquired | 1895 |
| Out of service | 24 October 1895 |
| Fate | stranded and wrecked near Terschelling, Netherlands |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 1686 grt |
| Length | 82 m (269 ft 0 in) |
| Beam | 10 m (32 ft 10 in) |
| Installed power | 800 hp |
| Propulsion | two cylinder compound steam engine, single shaft, one screw |
SS Thasos originally named SS Theben was an 1878-built, 82-metre (269 ft 0 in) long, German cargo steamship. It was owned by the Kosmos Line sailing for years to South America. In 1895 the ship was acquired by the Deutsche Levante-Linie scheduled for a regular connection to countries around the Black Sea.[1][2]
On her maiden voyage, with a valuable cargo of cane goods, the ship foundered near Terschelling, the Netherlands, due to a navigation error on 24 October 1895. Three people drowned.
Much of the cargo was salvaged and sold, as well as the inventory and the wreck itself.
Ship details
The ship was built in 1879 by Reiherstieg Schiffswerfte & Maschinenfabrik in Hamburg for the Kosmos Line being yard number 316. She was an iron cargo steamship. The ship was 82 metres (269 ft 0 in) long and had a beam of 10 m (32 ft 10 in). It weighed 1686 grt. The ship had a two cylinder compound steam engine with a single shaft and one screw. It had a total power of 800 hp[1]
History
she made over the years 35 return voyages to the west coast of South America.[3]
Fate
In October 1895 the ship made her maiden voyage from Hamburg via Antwerp, Belgium to the Black Sea under command of Mallingdorf. Before reaching Antwerp on 24 October the ship foundered near Terschelling, the Netherlands.[4][5] The ship fired flares that were seen by the coast guard. However many fishing vessels got to the ship before the coast guard.[6] After the ship floated again during high tide, she foundered again.[6] Tugs “Adsistent” and “Hercules” tried to refloat the ship but the ship was sinking.[7][8] The crew started evacuating the ship being full of water.[9] All 27 people went into a lifeboat, but it capsized.[10][6] Three people drowned, 24 people were rescued by local fishermen.[11][10] The ship sank.[10]
An operation to salvage the valuable cargo was initiated.[12]
The body of passenger Barthold washed ashore on 31 October on the beach Terschelling near Oosterend.[13] Also the body of another passenger, a helmsman was fished out the water near Terschelling.[14][15]
Aftermath
The survivors went by train to Hamburg, German Empire where they arrived on 30 October 1895.[16]
Wreck discovery
In 2004 the wreck was found. Large pieces of the wreck, as well as beams of ebony and pieces of earthenware, were salvaged the same year by ship Ursus.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Scheepswrak: Thasos". Wrakkenmuseum (in Dutch).
- ^ "SS Thasos [+1895]". wrecksite.eu.
- ^ "Scheepsberichten". Scheepvaart (in Dutch). 26 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Stoomschip gestrand". Scheepvaart (in Dutch). 24 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Terschelling, 24 October". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 25 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ a b c "Binnenlandsche Berichten". Delftsche Courant (in Dutch). 27 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Stoomschip gestrand". Algemeen Handelsblad (in Dutch). 25 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Gemengde berichten". Haagsche Courant (in Dutch). 26 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Binnenland". Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 26 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ a b c "Vlieland, 25 Oct". Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 26 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Terschelling, 24 Oct". Het nieuws van den dag (in Dutch). 25 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "De gezonken "Thasos."". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 30 October 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Allerlei". Algemeen Handelsblad (in Dutch). 1 November 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Allerlei". Algemeen Handelsblad (in Dutch). 1 November 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Terschelling, 31 Oct". Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 2 November 1895 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Hamburg, 30 Oct". Rotterdamsch Dagblad (in Dutch). 1 November 1895 – via Delpher.