5 January 1943

5 January 1943 Jersey Harbour Commandant diary

St Helier: 0130: The duty officer received news via La Corbière that the Dutch steamer “Schokland”, with 286 passengers and 26 crew, had run aground near Noirmont Point. Shortly afterwards another report stated that Schokland was sinking. The deputy harbour commandant immediately ordered all available craft, including harbour protection boats, one English lifeboat and one tug, to rescue passengers and crew. Schokland had patrol vessels Vp 212 and 209 as escorts. Findings so far: 15 dead and 117 missing. The two patrol vessels rescued 180 people. Wind at the time NW force 4–5, sea state 3–4, visibility 1½–2 nautical miles, overcast with rain squalls, dark night, new moon. [These are the diary’s preliminary figures.] 0230: Sorel off. 0910: La Corbière and harbour light off. 1730: Both on. 2100: Both off. 2250: Sorel on. 2300: Sorel off.

T-1022 Roll 2422, scan 0344.