February 23rd, 2010
Dives In The Rosalie Moller
Launched in 1910 as the “Francis,” this 3963 ton cargo steamer was built by Barclay Curle & Co Ltd of Glasgow for the Booth Steamship Company of Liverpool. In March 1931 she was sold to the Moller Line and renamed the Rosalie Moller from when she saw considerable service on the Liverpool – China route until just before the outbreak of WW2.
Like so many vessels, she was regularly used for War duties and in October 1941 was carrying a cargo of coal to Alexandria. With safe passage through the Mediterranean almost impossible at this stage of the War, the Rosalie Moller made the lengthy journey round the Cape of Good Hope, up the east coast of the African Continent and into the Red Sea before being assigned to “Safe Anchorage H” to await passage through the Suez Canal.
These were difficult times and getting through the Canal was dependent on several factors. Enemy activity – especially Air Raids from German aircraft based in Crete, cargo priority and how long other vessels had been waiting had all to be taken into consideration. At this time, however, two vessels had collided further up the Gulf of Suez and were virtually blocking the entire seaway. This is why the “Thistlegorm” – with her much needed and valuable cargo, had remained at anchor for a full two weeks before being attacked and sunk!
On the night of 5 October 1941, German Heinkel 111′s operating from Crete, crossed over the Egyptian Coast to search for a large Troopship. This was not found – though one aircraft did find the Thistlegorm and, at 0130 hrs 6 October 1941, the Thistlegorm was sunk. The resulting explosion lit up the night sky revealing even more ships at anchor and 48 hours later two aircraft returned. One of theme found the Rosalie Moller and, at 0140 hours 8 October 1941, she too went to the bottom. Interest in this particular vessel then faded for one very good reason.
After the War, raw materials were in short supply and throughout the Gulf of Suez many shipwrecks were raised and salvaged for their metal or cargo – whilst others were cleared as hazards to shipping. Understandably, many of these ships were wrongly identified by those who had other priorities and at least two accounts of the Rosalie Moller both show her to have been raised after war – and broken up! Of course, she was not.
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