Fenris

Despite the efforts of the crew, the submarine continued to fire grenades. As yet, no grenade had hit the ship. But they were getting closer and closer. The fourteen crewmen got into the lifeboat and began rowing toward the lightship at Sydostbrotten.

When the lifeboat had travelled 200 metres, a grenade hit midships and the ship caught fire. As the men rowed toward the lightship, more grenades exploded near the lifeboat. After strenuous rowing, the men in the lifeboat arrived at the lightship where the lightship crew took care of them.

Fenris was ablaze while the south-easterly wind caused the ship to drift northwest. Fenris’ crew and the lightship staff estimated that the submarine fired close to 100 grenades. But thanks to the rough seas, many shots missed.

Fenris was found the next day by navy ships. She lay with bow 3 metres deep and stern at 35 metres near Sydostbrotten. Although the ship was burnt through, the chimney was still in its upright position, blackened and displaying several bullet holes.

It later emerged that it was likely the Russian submarine SC 311 that subjected Fenris to the heavy shelling. In February 1940, the submarine’s commander was declared Hero of the Soviet Union on the grounds that the SC 311 sank several military cargo ships totalling 10,000 tonnes and carrying war supplies to Finland. It is likely that Fenris and the Finnish cargo ship Wilpas totalled 1,259 tonnes and did not have war supplies on board.