Solar

Solar (or Solør) was a Norwegian motor tanker torpedoed by a u-boat during the second world war. The remains of Solar now lie off the eastern side of Oxwich Point.

Norway at sea during the second world war

Historically, Norway has always been a seafaring nation. Just before the second world war it was estimated that 7% of the worlds shipping was Norwegian thus making Norway the fourth largest merchant fleet in the world (behind the U.K, U.S and Japan). Around 42% of the Norwegian fleet were motor tankers making up 18% of the worlds tanker tonnage at that time.

Norway played an important role during the second world war as their merchant ships transported goods and supplies to countries that were against Germany. According to reports, 40% of oil imported to Britain was carried on Norwegian tankers.

After the invasion of Norway by Germany in 1940, the King and government of Norway fled to London where they controlled the merchant fleets under the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission (Nortraship). Approximately 1000 Norwegian ships and 30,000 sailors were active during this war. 709 ships and 3670 lives were lost at sea.

About Solar

Solar was built in Gothenburg, Sweden by Eriksbergs Mekaniska Verkstad. The construction was commissioned by S. Ugelstags Rederi A/S and the ship managed by S. Ugelstad. Work on the ship was completed in July 1938 and was delivered to it's home port in Oslo shortly after.

Like so many other ships, Solar would travel alone and did so until 1942 where it is documented that she travelled with various convoys (usually 4-5 merchant ships protected by naval vessels). This was mainly due to the hightended security measures against attacks from submarines, mines, surface raiders and aircraft bombers.

Final fate

On the 13th of January 1945 Solar departed from New York with the convoy HX 332 bound for Clyde. She was apparently carrying 7,500 tons of crude oil, 37 crates of wooden gliders and 44 crew members.

On the 27th of January Solar was sailing in the Irish sea, approaching s.t Georges channel when she was torpedoed in the stern section of the ship by the u-boat U-825. According to reports, the torpedo hit at approximately 12pm. Solar was one of 47 ships sailing in this particular convoy and was one of 2 that were torpedoed by u-boats. The other being the Ruben Dario.

The damage caused by the torpedo was enough to make Solar take on water, making the ship drop a couple of feet but not enough to sink the ship. 4 out of the 44 crew members lost their lives during this incident and 7 were injured. According to reports, the next day a rescue vessel by the name of Zamalek arrived at the scene and took the dead and injured men back to Swansea where they would be laid to rest and or admitted to Swansea hospital.

Once Solars cargo had been unloaded, the decision was made to tow Solar southbound towards the bristol channel. The ship split in two and was finally beached on the eastern side of Oxwich point on the night of the 29th of January 1945.

Currently what lies beneath the waves is the mid section of the ship. The bow (front) section was refloated almost as soon as it sunk to be towed to Briton ferry for dismantling. The stern section was visible up until July 1952 when it was decided that the remains of the ship above the water line would be taken away for scrap.