Impression Sketch
of Swedish steamer Folke -
By Jamie Mann. An original images can be seen at:
http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?11198 SS Folke [+1915]
On night 14 April, off the Scottish
Coast,
Some twenty miles off Peterhead,
sailed
A Swedish steamer Folke –
The route of the vessel began at
port
Of Stavanger, heading towards London,
With a cargo of pit props.
In the darkness of 10 p.m., on the
aft
Of the vessel, was a loud explosion;
Props were blown into the air.
The suggestion was the propeller had
Exploded - as machinery began to
race -
Crewmembers of seventeen, to include
Two women - took to boats.
With provisions two small boats
were
Ready for launch – the steamer took
two
And half hours to sink as they
stayed
In the area, watching the loss.
The crew, being split between two
boats,
Stayed in touch - but after a time, drifting
In darkness, moved apart.
In darkness, moved apart.
The mate of the vessel, Mr Petersen
told
They had been in the water fourteen
hours;
When found by 'Fisher Prince' -
the others
Picked up by 'North Cape'.
The Captain of the Folke believed the
boat
Had been torpedoed - stating that
he heard
Sounds of a sea craft.
With a motor sound moving away moments
Before the explosion - among the
survivors
Was a man wearing only a shirt.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. Swedish Ship Blown Up. The Daily
Telegraph, [online] 17 Apr. P.11.
Col.1. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11539851/Daily-Telegraph-April-17-1915.html
[Accessed: 18 April 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 18 April 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Sweden
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