Maritime record MWX2149 - Alex Van Opstal

A Belgian liner which struck a mine and sunk south of Lulworth Cove, 15 September 1939. Remains of 1939 wreck of Belgian liner which foundered half a mile east of the Shambles Light Vessel after being mined shortly after the outbreak of World War II, en route from New York to Antwerp with general cargo and passengers. Constructed of steel in 1937, she was an engine-driven vessel, although she is described as a steamer in some sources. Status: Site

The ALEX VON OPSTAL sank with no loss of life. She was carrying 4410 tons of cargo. Larn (2) gives place of loss as 7.5m ENE Bill of Portland. Four ships lifeboats were reported by the Coastguard to be adrift near the Shambles light vessel. The Weymouth lifeboat went to investigate and found that a Greek steamship had taken the boats in tow, which proved to have come from the ALEX VAN OPSTAL, which had struck a mine and sunk south of Lulworth Cove. (1) She was built in 1937 by Naksjov Skibs A/S HP: 1026. She was screw driven by a 5 cylinder oil engine and owned by Cie Maritime Belg (Lloyd Royal) Soc. She had a crew of 59 and carried 8 passengers. She was lost in 1939. 1945 Sonar contact in vicinity of 50 32 00N, 02 16 00W. 16-AUG-1949 Examined. Drift sweep - clear at 48, foul at 49 feet. Lies N/S in position 077.5 Deg. 01-AUG-1967 Examined in 50 32 26N, 02 16 00W. Horizontal sextant angle - Portland Bill light 87-46 Admiralty navigation beacon 88-39 St. Aldhelms chapel. Drift swept - clear at 58, foul at 59 feet. Least echo-sounder depth 58 in general depth 90 feet. Scour depth 6 feet. Wreck, about 500 feet long, lies 166/346 deg, approx. with the highest part about one third of length from south end. Another high point - only 1 foot deeper - was found near the north end. 12-JAN-1982 Stands 5.5m high in general depth 27-30m in 50 32 36N, 02 16 00W. Has broken stern reported to have been sold to Western Marine Services 29-MAY-1992 Examined in 50 32 26.5N, 02 15 51.8W. Least echo-sounder depth 20.2 in general depth 28m. Scour depth 1m. Height 7m. Lying 160/ 340 deg, approx. (1) A small piece of broken lamp glass recovered from this wreck, position 50 32.48N 002 16.03W. (Droit A/3869) A name plate a shell case and a compass gimbal fitting recovered from this wreck (Droit A/4569) Additional sources cited in United Kingdom Shipwreck Index: MOD(N) DD. p121; Wreck and Rescue on the Dorset Coast, Farr 1971, p56; DGWP.p27 Position 50 32.48 2 16.03W taken from (4) NRHE: Wreck Site and Archaeological Remains: A name plate, a shell case, and a compass gimbal fitting recovered from this wreck. (Droit A/4569) (6) A small piece of broken lamp glass recovered from this wreck, position 50 32.48N 002 16.03W. (Droit A/3869) (7) She lies in 30m, 7 miles SE of Weymouth, with her bow section still largely intact on a gravel seabed, but her stern section is quite broken. (12) A porthole, possibly of steel and aluminium, recovered from the ALEX VAN OPSTAL site, in position 50 32.26N 002 16.00W; although thought to be contamination from another wreck, as this is not consistent with the style of porthole on this wreck. (Droit 094/06) (13) A steel piece in the shape of an A, badly pitted and misshapen, and thought to be from the stern of the ship, recovered from the ALEX VAN OPSTAL. (Droit 219/10) (14) Three copper pipes, approximately 12ft long, recovered from the ALEX VAN OPSTAL. (Droit 326/11) (15) Wreck Event and Documentary Evidence: The ALEX VON OPSTAL sank with no loss of life. Was carrying 4410 tons of cargo. Larn gives place of loss as 7.5m ENE Bill of Portland. Four ship's lifeboats were reported by the Coastguard to be adrift near the Shambles light vessel. The Weymouth lifeboat went to investigate and found that a Greek steamship had taken the boats in tow, which proved to have come from the ALEX VAN OPSTAL, which had struck a mine and sunk south of Lulworth Cove.(2)(5) 15-SEP, four ship's boats were reported adrift near the Shambles light vessel. The Weymouth lifeboat raced to the scene but a Greek steamship already had them in tow. (11) While 600 yards from the Shambles light vessel doing 15 knots a large explosion occurred near No.2 hatch. The Captain, while checking the ship, realised she had broken in two just before the bridge in No.3 hold. The passengers and some of the crew got away in the first three lifeboats, followed by the last lifeboat being picked up by the Greek steamer ATLANTICOS and landed at Weymouth. (12) 'Saturday 16th September 1939: The Belgian steamer ALEX VAN OPSTAL was sunk last night by navy mines off the Shambles Lightship near Weymouth.' (16) Sunk 15 September 1939 near the Shambles Light Vessel, after striking mine laid by U-21 on 8 September 1939. (17) Built: 1937 (2)(5)(17) Builder: Nakskov Skibs A/S (2)(5); Nakskov Skibsvaerft A/S (17) Where Built: Nakskov, Denmark (17) HP: 1026 (2)(5) Propulsion: Screw driven, 5 cylinder oil engine (2)(5); single screw diesel engine (17) Owner: Cie Maritime Belge (Lloyd Royal) Soc. (2)(5)(17) Master: Vital Delgoffe (12) Crew: 49 (8); 59 (2)(5) Passengers: 8 (2)(5); capacity for 12 passengers (17) Date of Loss Qualifier: Actual date of loss Additional sources: Divers' Guide to the Weymouth and Portland Area, 1988, p27 Times (Assistant engineer, Alfred Thorne, reportedly gave them an interview).

Record last edited

Apr 2 2024 11:35AM