_River_Scheldt_AS.1968.001.2355.jpg) Akka under way, probably in theScheldt | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Sweden | |
| Name | Akka |
| Owner | Trafik Ab Grängesberg–Oxelösunds |
| Operator | M Waldenström |
| Port of registry | Stockholm |
| Builder | A/BGötaverken |
| Yard number | 568 |
| Launched | 6 May 1942 |
| Sponsored by | 26 July 1942 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | ran aground, 1956 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 5,409 GRT, 3,553 NRT, 8,960 DWT |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 56.7 ft (17.3 m) |
| Draught | 25 ft10+3⁄4 in (7.89 m) |
| Depth | 24.3 ft (7.4 m) |
| Decks | 1 |
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion | 1 ×screw |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Crew | 1956: 33 |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Notes | sister ships:Sarek,Sagged,Suorva,Saivo |
MVAkka was a Swedishcargomotor ship that was built inGothenburg in 1942. In 1956 she ran aground in theFirth of Clyde. Six of her 33 crew were killed. Her wreck, offDunoon, is now awreck diving site.
Akka was thelead ship of aclass of five single-screw motor ships that A/BGötaverken built forTrafikaktiebolaget Grängesberg–Oxelösunds between 1942 and 1944. Hersister ships wereSarek;Sagged;Suorva; andSaivo.[1]
Götaverken builtAkka as yard number 568. She was launched on 6 May 1942, and completed on 29 July.[1] Her lengths were 442 ft 10 in (134.98 m)overall[2] and 434.5 ft (132.4 m) registered. Herbeam was 56.7 ft (17.3 m); her depth was 24.3 ft (7.4 m); and herdraught was25 ft10+3⁄4 in (7.89 m). Hertonnages were 5,409 GRT; 3,553 NRT;[3] and 8,960 DWT.[1]
Her single screw was driven by a six-cylinder,single-acting,two-stroke diesel engine. It was rated at 744NHP[3] or 4,200bhp, and gave her a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h).[1]
Akka was equipped with wirelessdirection finding.[3] By 1948, she was equipped withradar.[4]
Grängesberg–OxelösundsregisteredAkka inStockholm. Her Swedishofficial number was 8535, andcall sign SFMN. WhenIMO Numbers were introduced, hers was 3008535.
On 4 April 1956,Akka leftOxelösund forGlasgow with a cargo of iron ore. On 9 April she entered theFirth of Clyde. At about 21:00 hrs that evening, her steering gear failed, which led to her grounding her onthe Gantocks. Herport side had been holed for almost half her length, and water was rapidly filling her number two hold.Master,Captain Sundin, ordered her engines reversed, but this only hastened the ingress of water to her holds andengine room.[5][6]
Captain Sundin gave the order to abandon ship. Within three or four minutes of striking the rocks,Akka heeled over to port, and sank. This caused a swell, which swamped thoselifeboats that had been launched, and throwing their occupants into the sea. Three crewmen were killed on the scene, and a further three died on the way to hospital.[5][6]
Akka lay on the seabed, with only her two mastheads showing above the surface of the sea. Three months later, a passing fishing boat collided with her wreck.Metal Industries, Limited ofGare Loch then removed her masts, and the upper two levels of herbridgesuperstructure, to eliminate the hazard to navigation. The rest of the wreck lies intact on an even keel. The seabed is 30 metres (98 ft) below the sea surface at her bow, and 40 metres (130 ft) below the surface at her stern.[5]
Akka is the largest shipwreck in the Firth of Clyde that divers can reach by using compressed air. Divers can explore much of the wreck, but risks include disturbance to the mud causing poor visibility. The wreck is rich in fauna, includingsea anemones;hydroids;nudibranches;sea squirts; and many species of fish.Seals are frequent visitors.[5]
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1956 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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