S/S Nedjan

(svensk version)

This Swedish steamer was 64 m long and built in Greenock, Scotland, in 1893. In January 1954 she left Gävle harbour, Sweden, in storm and freezing temperature. She was then already an old steamer in poor condition.

During the night, her steam powered steering ceased to work and she started to drift. She had a long radio conversation with a coast guard station. This conversation was tape recorded, and is still preserved. Eventually the contact was lost.

She was presumed lost somewhere off the coast. There were no survivors and the wreck position remained unknown. First in 1996 she was found on 32 m depth by Stiftelsen Marinhistorik, using side scan sonar. She is standing upright and very well preserved. No remains of the 17 dead have been found onboard.

Aerial photo from the early 1950s, © Rick Tomlison Maritime, UK

Funnel, bridge and one mast still standing. Sonogram by Sture Hultquist.

An untouched wreck: The ship bell near the bow.

The malfunctioning steam powered steering mechanism and compass house on the bridge midships. Notice the greasing cap on top.

Close up of the compass house.

The machine telegraph fallen down on the bridge.

Compass fallen down on the bridge.

This radio telephone called for help several times during the dramatic night, but in vain.

Vuk Radakovits at the rear mast.

Galley with equipment in place.

The auxiliary wheel at the stern.

All underwater photos are made by Peter Lögdberg, assisted by Vuk Radakovits, Stockholm. Published here by kind permission and protected by international copyright. This is an abstract of the Swedish report.