Written and researched by Paul Hennessey (Norfolk Wreck Research)
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MV KING EGBERT
Type ... Motor vessel (MV) Cargo. Plumb bow, Cruiser stern, Engine midships
Position ... 52 55 127 N / 001 30 944 E (3.5 miles north east of Mundesley)
Depth ... 22mtrs
Official number ... 149979
Built ... 1928
Dimensions ... 400 x 54 x 23 feet
Engine ... 6 cylinder diesel / cylinder sizes 29 inch / stroke59 inches / 489 nhp / x1 screw
Speed ... 10 knots (approx)
Tonnage .. 4535 grt
Builder ... Harland and Wolff, Belfast
Engine builder ... Harland and Wolff, Belfast
Lost ... 12th December 1939
Cause ... Mine
Voyage ... The Tyne to Port Said (Egypt)
Cargo ... 7500 tons of coal
Casualties ... x1 / John. O'Connor / age 24 / Fourth Engineer Officer
Ownership history ... Built in 1928 for the King Line who retained ownership of the King Egbert up until the time of her loss. Managers Dodd, Thomson & Co Ltd
King Line (Brief History)
The King Alfred Steam Ship Co Ltd was formed in 1889 by Owen Philipps. In 1893 the company was renamed the King Line Ltd. At the outbreak of WW1 the company owned ten tramp steamers. During the war years the company lost six of its fleet. During the post war period the fleet was rebuilt, this for the most part being through the purchase of war standard ships. In 1923, and with Owen Philipps no longer the company manager, management of the company was taken over by Dodd, Thompson & Co. At the commencement of WW11 the King Line owned twenty ships, fifteen of these were lost in the war years. As with the post war period of WW1 the company once again purchased war standard ships in order to rebuild their fleet. In 1948 the King Line was purchased by Union Castle . In 1956 the Union Castle merged with the Clan, at this point the new company managers became Cayzer, Irving & Co. Over the following years the company was to see many changes, this included the replacement of their conventional cargo ships for bulk carriers. The bulk carrier fleet eventually consisted of six vessels (1975 -1978). During this period the company purchased two tankers, both of which were sold off in 1982 and 1985. By 1986/7 the company had sold off all of its ships.
Below ... House flag of the King Line, owners of the King Egbert.
UKHO
1941 ... Least depth 6 feet
1946 ... Dispersed and swept clear to 45 feet
1993 ... Swept clear at 14.8mtrs / foul at 15 mtrs
2015 ... Least depth 15 mtrs / scour depth 3 mtrs / Sonar dimensions ... Length 170 mtrs, width 40 mtrs, height 2 mtrs
Harland and Wolff (Belfast) Builders of the King Egbert.
Formed in 1861 by Edward James Harland and Gustav Wilhelm Wolff. The company is best known for the construction of the RMS Titanic, RMS Olympic and the RMS Britannic.
Of note ... It is amazing to think that only sixteen years prior, many of the very hands that had built the King Egbert in 1928 at Harland and Wolff would have been instrumental in the building of the ill fated Titanic which was completed in 1912. The history that the sea holds off the Norfolk coast truly is second to none.
For a plotted history of Harland and Wolff follow the link.
Circumstances of loss
On the 12th December 1939 the King Egbert whilst attached to convoy FS 53 entered a minefield that had been laid several days earlier by the German destroyer Erich Giese. The Erich Guise along with the destroyers Bernd Von Arnim and the Hans Lody had departed Wilhelmshaven earlier in the month with the intention of laying mines off Cromer. En route the Arnim suffered a mechanical problem and returned to port. During the night and early hours of the 6th / 7th December the Erich Giese, whilst under the escort of the Hans Lody laid her mines. During mine laying operations the British destroyers Jersey and Juno were spotted patrolling the area. The Erich Giese torpedoed the Jersey at 2.35 am on the 7th, this leaving the Jersey badly damaged. Sadly the crew of the Jersey suffered several fatalities, in all ten crew members lost their lives with several others injured. In addition to the King Egbert being lost to the minefield laid by the Erich Giese the steamer Corea also fell foul to the minefield on the 8th December. On the 21st December there was to be one final incident relating to the minefield. This was the 8053 grt British steamer Dosinia of convoy FN 57 which was badly damaged.
Below ... Life ring buoy from the King Egbert (Courtesy of Jeremy Sharp)
The King Egbert today ... Awaiting divers report