21 September 1942 Part 4

21 September 1942 report of the Diamant rescue by Jersey Harbour Protection Group

Subject: Employment of the FK boats at the stranding of steamer Diamant. At 2247 on 20 September the Harbour Protection Group received a call from the Jersey Harbour Commandant that Diamant had grounded on Dogs Nest. FK 23 and 25 were made ready. At 2306 a pilot came aboard; the boats then sailed for the position. FK 23 anchored at 2319 and tried to work towards the wreck in heavy seas. Wind west-south-west force 6–7, stronger in gusts; sea 4–5, surf.

FK 23 established contact and tried to go alongside to take off passengers. Towing Diamant was impossible in the high sea. At 0027 FK 23 struck bottom hard three times. The group commander decided to haul in 20 metres of anchor cable to remain clear of the rock. Contact was made with two inflatable boats and 12 passengers transferred to FK 23. As the sea increased the anchor would not hold and there was danger of grounding. FK 23 had to break contact and weigh anchor. FK 28, FK 31 and Jersey’s motor lifeboat were ordered to the wreck by signal searchlight because of their shallower draught. FK 23 entered harbour at 0112 and landed the rescued persons. The group commander reported to the Harbour Commandant.

At 0148 FK 23, 28 and 31 sailed to recover the remaining crew and passengers at all costs. Diamant had turned broadside to the sea; heavy breakers swept over her and she threatened to capsize. Distress signals were fired as the FK boats sailed. FK 31 took alongside a Diamant lifeboat drifting near the wreck and embarked its occupants. In extremely difficult conditions FK 28 went alongside Diamant and, despite heavy surf and high seas, took off all crew and passengers still aboard: 40 persons at 0214. At 0247 the FK boats returned after satisfying themselves that nobody remained aboard or was drifting in the water. The group commander reported to the Harbour Commandant. FK 23, 28 and 31 had rescued a total of 64 crew and passengers. Five further crew members were recovered from Dogs Nest rock at daybreak using inflatable boats and the motor lifeboat.

The conduct of the FK boat crews was exemplary and deserved special recognition. By committing boat and crew fully, FK 28 recovered 40 people from the wreck at the last minute. The boat was commanded by Sonderführer (Sturm-Maat) Johann Matthiesen, N 6532/40 ES. The report’s total of 64 is preserved separately from the daily diary’s individual rescue movements.

T-1022 Roll 2422, scan 0305. Report inserted after the diary entry for 21 September. Signed Ruperti, Lieutenant at Sea and acting group commander; no separate report date stated.