Oldendorff Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 175
“A make-shift camouflage was quickly
accomplished: the funnelmark
was deleted and the ship’s name
re-painted into OLENDO BECK, none
of which would have stood up to a
proper check by the enemies.
“The initial part of the voyage
remained uneventful except for
some minor damage to the boiler
which was repaired on board.
Subsequently the wind increased
and the vessel kept shipping green
water. A fracture of the steering
rods forced the ship to heave-to.
She continued at half speed due
to strong winds. While the engine
had to be immobilised owing to
unavoidable repairs to the
superheater, the wind increased to
gale force. Heavy seas smashed the
No. 3 hatch-covers admitting large
quantities of water into the hold.
“The ship had to heave-to once again,
but the storm abated somewhat.
Damage to a condenser enforced
yet another engine stoppage. The
25-year-old ship was really taken
to task, as was the crew who in
addition had to maintain constant
and keen lookout. Not only did
the ship sustain weather damage,
but moreover her navigation was
impaired when the patent log
broke. Iceland came into sight on
13 November and a snow-covered
mountain could be made out at a
distance of about 50 nautical miles.
A light was sighted on 14 November
LUDOLF (1)
1936-1944
171
but could not be identified owing to
totally inadequate charts. Having
dropped anchor the master realised
that he had reached Hvammas Fjord.
The ship proceeded to Reykjavik
assisted by a pilot and berthed at
5:20 p.m. The authorities proved to
be very friendly and the new arrival
was immediately taken care of by
Dr. Gerlach, the German consul.
“The ship left Iceland on 24 November
having bunkered 222 tonnes of coal.
The master intended to attempt a
breakthrough south of the island but
had to heave-to due to bad weather.
Captain Bohnhoff then proceeded
on a westerly course, simulating a
break-through towards the Denmark
Strait. Heavy weather continued until
30 November. Occasional engine
and condensator repairs enforced
further stoppages. Meanwhile,
course had been altered towards the
Norwegian coast. Once the weather
improved Captain Bohnhoff made for
Kristiansand, dropping anchor there
on 5 December, and finally arrived at
Stettin ten days later. The homeward
voyage of this veteran steamer
deserves to be singled out as an
outstanding achievement. As a small
steamer she was not really suited
for such a long haul but she had
successfully completed the voyage
which demanded the utmost of her
crew and her engine. The ss HUGO
OLDENDORFF continued performing
faithfully until the end of the war.”
