imported>Lyndaship: Undid revision 1293431933 by 177.89.62.176 (talk)

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Undid revision 1293431933 by 177.89.62.176 (talk)

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{{Short description| British ship sunk in Plymouth Sound in 1945. Now a dive site }}
{{other ships|SS Persier}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Persier Lloyd Royal Belge, asset DGKDM9VTmKslfqfOWIOtieKC.jpg
| Ship caption = ''Persier''
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header =
| Ship name =*''War Buffalo'' (1918–19)
*''Persier'' (1919–45)
| Ship owner =*The Shipping Controller (1918–19)
*Lloyd Royal Belge SA (1919–30)
*Compagnie Maritime Belge SA (1930–45)
| Ship operator =*Rankin, Gilmour & Co Ltd (1918–19)
*Lloyd Royal Belge SA (1919–30)
*Agence Maritime Internationale (1930–45)
| Ship registry =*{{flagicon|UKGBI|civil}} London (1918–19)
*{{flagicon|Belgium}} Antwerp (1919–45)
| Ship route =
| Ship ordered =
| Ship builder = Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd
| Ship original cost =
| Ship yard number = 248
| Ship way number =
| Ship laid down =
| Ship launched = February 1918
| Ship completed = June 1918
| Ship christened =
| Ship acquired =
| Ship maiden voyage =
| Ship in service =
| Ship out of service = 1941–43
| Ship identification =*Code Letters MPDI (1919–34)
*{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|India}}
*Code Letters OOZA (1934–45)
*{{ICS|Oscar}}{{ICS|Oscar}}{{ICS|Zulu}}{{ICS|Alpha}}
| Ship fate = Torpedoed and sunk on 11 February 1945
| Ship notes =
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header =
| Header caption =
| Ship type = [[Cargo ship]]
| Ship tonnage =*{{GRT|5,382}}
*{{NRT|3,293}}
| Ship displacement =
| Ship length = {{convert|400|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|52|ft|3|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship height =
| Ship draught = {{convert|25|ft|3|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft =
| Ship depth = {{convert|28|ft|5|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship decks =
| Ship deck clearance =
| Ship ramps =
| Ship ice class =
| Ship sail plan =
| Ship power =
| Ship propulsion = Triple expansion steam engine
| Ship speed = {{convert|10.5|kn|km/h}}
| Ship capacity =
| Ship crew = 51
| Ship notes =
}}
|}

'''''Persier''''' was a {{GRT|5382|link=off}} cargo ship which was built in 1918 as '''''War Buffalo''''' for the [[British Shipping Controller]]. In 1919, she was sold to [[Belgium]] and renamed ''Persier''. Between 1934 and 1941 she also held a passenger certificate. She was driven ashore on the [[Iceland]]ic coast in a storm in February 1941 which put her out of action for two years. Returned to service in February 1943, she served until 11 February 1945, when she was torpedoed and sunk by {{GS|U-1017||2}} with the loss of 20 crew.

==Description==
The ship was built as yard number 248 in 1918 by Northumberland Shipbuilding Ltd, [[Newcastle-on-Tyne]], [[Northumberland]]. She was completed in June 1918.<ref name=Belge>{{cite web |url=http://www.belgischekoopvaardij.net/belgian%20Merchant%20%20P-Z.pdf |title=Belgian Merchant P-Z |publisher=Belgische Koopvaardij |access-date=2 December 2010 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The ship was {{convert|400|ft|2|in|m|2}} long, with a beam of {{convert|52|ft|3|in|m|2}}. She had a depth of {{convert|28|ft|5|in|m|2}} and a draught of {{convert|25|ft|3|in|m|2}}. She was assessed at {{GRT|5349|link=off}}, {{NRT|3,271|link=off}}.<ref name="Persier34">{{cite web|url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/30/30b0930.pdf |title=Lloyd's Register, Navires a Vapeur et a Moteurs |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |access-date=2 December 2010}}</ref>

The ship was propelled by a [[triple expansion steam engine]], which had cylinders of {{convert|27|in|cm}}, {{convert|44|in|cm}} and {{convert|73|in|cm}} diameter by {{convert|48|in|cm}} stroke. The engine was built by North East Marine Engine Co (1938) Ltd, [[Newcastle upon Tyne]].<ref name="Persier34"/> It produced 517[[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|nhp]].<ref name=Belge/> It could propel the ship at {{convert|10.5|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Ellis>{{cite web|url=http://www.ellisisland.org/shipping/Formatship.asp?shipid=2472 |title= Persier |publisher=Ellis Island |access-date=3 December 2010}}</ref>

==History==
''War Buffalo'' was built for the British Shipping Controller. Her port of registry was [[London]] and she was operated under the management of Ranking, Gilmour & Co Ltd. In 1919, she was sold to Lloyd Royal Belge [[S.A. (corporation)|SA]], [[Antwerp]] and renamed ''Persier'',<ref name=Belge/> The [[Code Letters]] MPDI were allocated.<ref name="Persier34"/> She was the second Lloyd Royal Belge ship to bear that name.<ref name=List>{{cite web |url=http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/lloydroyalbelge.htm |title=Lloyd Royal Belge |publisher=The Ships List |access-date=3 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503125053/http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/lloydroyalbelge.htm |archive-date=3 May 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 19 January 1922, ''Persier'' rescued five crew from the [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland-registered]] [[schooner]] ''Eileen Lake'', which foundered in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] west of Newfoundland.<ref name=Times020222>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Casualty reports |date=2 February 1922 |page=18 |issue=42945 |column=C }}</ref> In 1930, Lloyd Royal Belge was merged with the Compagnie Maritime Belge du Congo to form [[Compagnie Maritime Belge]] SA.<ref name=Simplon>{{cite web|url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/2CoBelge.html |title=Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo, Compagnie Maritime Belge |publisher=Simplon Postcards |access-date=2 December 2010}}</ref> ''Persier'' was operated under the management of Agence Maritime Internationale.<ref name="Persier34"/> In 1934, her Code letters were changed to OOZA. [[Lloyd's Register]] shows that the ship held a passenger certificate from that date.<ref name="Persier34"/>

In May 1940, ''Persier'' took part in [[Operation Dynamo]].<ref name=Scots/> On 28 October 1940, ''Persier'' departed [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]] as a member of [[Convoy HX 84]]. She was carrying a cargo of [[steel]] destined of [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]].<ref name=Rhiw>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhiw.com/y_mor/capt_j_l_jones/san_demetrio/convoy_hx84.htm |title=Convoy HX84 |publisher=Rhiw |access-date=3 December 2010}}</ref> In December 1940, she was anchored at [[Oban]], [[Argyllshire]] when an air raid was carried out by [[Heinkel He 111]] bombers based at [[Stavanger Airport, Sola|Stavanger]], [[Norway]]. Two bombs fell astern of ''Persia''. A [[Netherlands|Dutch]] ship, the {{SS|Breda||2}} was sunk. Although it was not realised at the time, ''Persier'' had been damaged in the raid, and some leaks were discovered during her next voyage, which was across the [[Atlantic]].<ref name=Scots/> Her destination was [[Baltimore, Maryland]].<ref name=Belge/> Once she was fully loaded, further damage was discovered and repairs had to be made, which left her straggling behind her convoy.<ref name=Scots>{{cite journal |url=http://www.scotsac.com/html/scottish-diver/2005/SD_0510/0510_Oban.pdf |title=It all started in Oban |first=Ken |last=Farrow |publisher=Scottish Sub Aqua Club |journal=Scottish Diver |issue=September / October 2005 |access-date=3 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716020111/http://www.scotsac.com/html/scottish-diver/2005/SD_0510/0510_Oban.pdf |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 28 February 1941,<ref name=Belge/> ''Persier'' was battered by a storm, with a hatch cover being ripped off and the steering and electrical systems failing.<ref name=Scots/> She was stranded east off Vik in Myrdalur, [[Iceland]] and was severely damaged.<ref name=Belge/> ''Persier'' was refloated in April,<ref name=Scots/> and towed to [[Reykjavík]] by the [[tugboat|tug]] ''Aegir'' for initial repairs to be made. On 9 June, ''Persier'' was taken to the Kleppsvik Strand, but broke her back as she was insufficiently supported, and was subsequently beached. On 8 February 1942, she was refloated and re-beached, finally being refloated on 20 May. She was towed by the tugs ''[[Empire Bascobel]]'' and ''[[Empire Larch]]'' to a [[River Tyne|Tyneside]] shipyard for repairs, which were completed in February 1943.<ref name=Belge/> ''Persier{{'}}s'' first voyage on return to service was from [[Liverpool]] to [[New York City|New York]], [[United States]] as a member of [[ON convoys|Convoy ON 169]]. Departing on 22 February, the convoy arrived on 21 March.<ref name=ON169>{{cite web|url=http://warsailors.com/convoys/on169.html |title=Convoy ON (S) 169 |publisher=Warsailors |access-date=3 December 2010}}</ref> In September 1943, ''Persier'' was a member of Convoy SC 141, which departed Halifax, Nova Scotia on 3 September, and arrived at Liverpool on 17 September. She was carrying a cargo of steel and [[woodpulp]] and was bound for London.<ref name=SC141>{{cite web|url=http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/sc141.html |title=Convoy SC 141 |publisher=Warsailors |access-date=3 December 2010}}</ref>

In 1944, ''Persier'' was selected to be one of the [[blockship]]s when [[Operation Overlord]], the invasion of [[France]] took place. Although she was prepared for scuttling, the decision was later reversed and she was refitted and returned to service.<ref name=Scots/> On 8 February 1945 ''Persier'' began her final voyage as part of Convoy BTC 65, setting off from Cardiff to take food to the liberated but starving people of Belgium.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Suzanne |last1=Hall |first2=Kendall |last2=McDonald |title=Dive South Devon (Diver Guides) |publisher=Underwater World Publications |year=1996 |pages=166 |isbn=0-946020-24-8}}</ref> Carrying the convoy's [[Convoy Commodore|Commodore]],<ref name=Scots/> ''Persier'' was carrying a cargo consisting 2,400 tons soup, 1,400 tons [[dried eggs]], 1,000 tons meat and 20 tons of general cargo. On 11 February 1945 ''Persier'' was {{convert|4|nmi|km}} off the [[Eddystone Lighthouse]] when she was hit by one of three torpedoes fired by {{GS|U-1017||2}}. The ship developed a list to port and began to sink by the bows. One of the [[lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]] was swamped and another was driven into the propeller, which was still turning. Twenty of the 51 crew, 8 naval personnel and four [[stowaway]]s were killed. The British [[coastal trading vessel|coasters]] ''Birker Force'' and ''Gem'' rescued seven and 20 people respectively. {{HMS|Cornelian|T15|6}} rescued 16 people. Although ''Persier'' was taken in tow, she later sank.<ref name=Uboat>{{cite web|url=http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/3437.html |title=Persier |publisher=Uboat.net |access-date=3 December 2010}}</ref>

==Wreck==
In 1969, the wreck of ''Persier'' was discovered by Plymouth Sound [[British Sub-Aqua Club]] (BSAC) at {{coord|50|17|00|N|3|58|15|W|display=inline,title}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plymouthdivers.org.uk/ |title=Plymouth Sound BSAC |access-date=2008-10-03 }}</ref> She sits on her port side in {{convert|92|ft|m}} of water, with the bow at a depth of {{convert|59|ft|m}}.<ref name=chippenham>{{Cite web |author=Bsac, Chippenham Diving Club |year=2007 |title=The Persier Wreck Guide |url=http://www.chippenhamdivers.co.uk/wrecks/persier.htm |access-date=2008-09-14}}</ref>

In 1975, a [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetic]] [[Scuba diving|diver]] was injured on the wreck, resulting in a [[Ban (law)|ban]] by BSAC of diving by diabetics.<ref name=spums>{{cite journal |author1=Bryson, PJ |author2=Edge, CJ |author3=Lindsay, DC |author4=Wilmshurst, P |title=The case for diving diabetics |journal=Journal of the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society |volume=24 |issue=1 |year=1994 |pages=11–13 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/7620 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415192437/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/7620 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 April 2013 |access-date=2008-10-03 }}</ref>
This ban has now been lifted.<ref name=diabetes>{{cite web |url=http://www.bsac.org/page/130/diabetes-and-diving.htm |title=Diabetes and Diving |publisher=British Sub-Aqua Club |access-date=2008-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120025356/http://www.bsac.org/page/130/diabetes-and-diving.htm |archive-date=20 November 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The wreck of ''Persier'' is host to a variety of marine life, including [[European conger|conger eels]] and [[lobster]]s.<ref name=Scots/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links==
*[http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/3437.html Photo of ''Persier'']
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0waDHJ8eHkA Video of a dive on the wreck of ''Persier'']

{{Standard WWI ships}}
{{December 1940 shipwrecks}}
{{February 1941 shipwrecks}}
{{June 1941 shipwrecks}}
{{February 1942 shipwrecks}}
{{February 1945 shipwrecks}}
{{Recreational dive sites|wresit}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Persier}}
[[Category:1918 ships]]
[[Category:Standard World War I ships]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War I merchant ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Steamships of Belgium]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of Belgium]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of Belgium]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in December 1940]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in February 1941]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in June 1941]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in February 1942]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in February 1945]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the English Channel]]
[[Category:Wreck diving sites in the United Kingdom]]

SS Persier (1918) - Revision history

imported>Lyndaship: Undid revision 1293431933 by 177.89.62.176 (talk)