View source for SS Mopan

{{Short description|British cargo liner}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} 
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|Ship image= 
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{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= 
|Ship country= [[United Kingdom]]
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|UK|civil}}
|Ship name= ''Mopan''
|Ship namesake= 
|Ship owner= [[Fyffes|Elders & Fyffes Limited]].
|Ship operator= [[File:House Flag of the Fyffes Line.svg|23px|]] Fyffes Line
|Ship registry= {{flagicon|UK|civil}} [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] 
|Ship route= [[United Kingdom]] - [[West Indies]]
|Ship ordered= 
|Ship builder= [[Cammell Laird]] Ltd, [[Birkenhead]]
|Ship original cost= 
|Ship yard number= 949
|Ship laid down= 
|Ship launched= 13 February 1929
|Ship sponsor= 
|Ship completed= 
|Ship maiden voyage= 
|Ship in service= 1929
|Ship out of service= 1940
|Ship identification= *UK [[official number]] 161091
*[[Maritime call sign|call sign]] G X S D
*{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|X-ray}}{{ICS|Sierra}}{{ICS|Delta}}
|Ship fate= Sunk by shellfire from [[Panzerschiffe]] ''Admiral Scheer'': November 5, 1940
|Ship notes= 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type= [[cargo liner]]
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|5389}}
|Ship displacement= 
|Ship length= {{cvt|397|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{cvt|51.5|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= {{cvt|25|ft|7+1/2|in|abbr=on|2}}
|Ship depth= {{cvt|30.2|ft|abbr=on}} 
|Ship decks= 
|Ship power= 447 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]
|Ship propulsion= *1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion steam engine, single shaft, single screw.
|Ship speed= {{convert|13.5|kn|km/h}}
|Ship capacity= 
|Ship crew= 68
|Ship armament= (as [[Defensively equipped merchant ship|DEMS]])
|Ship sensors=  
|Ship notes= 
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'''SS ''Mopan''''' was a [[Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)|British]] [[steamship|steam]] [[cargo liner]] operated by the [[Fyffes Line]] from 1929 to 1940 until she was intercepted in [[Atlantic Ocean|mid-Atlantic]] and sunk by the [[Germany|German]] [[pocket battleship]] ''[[German cruiser Admiral Scheer|Admiral Scheer]],'' becoming the first victim of ''Admiral Scheer's'' [[commerce raiding]] [[sortie]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?133463|title=SS Mopan (+1940)|website=Wrecksite.eu|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web|url=https://hmsjervisbay.com/Story.BraidDA.php|title=S.S. Mopan - HMS Jervis Bay|website=Hmsjervisbay.com|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/o/operation-of-the-admiral-scheer.html|title=Operation of the Admiral Scheer|website=NHHC|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceD">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLR6Pjc4CKwC&dq=SS+Mopan+was+launched&pg=PA81|title=Atlantic Convoys and Nazi Raiders: The Deadly Voyage of HMS Jervis Bay|first=Bruce|last=Watson|date=9 December 2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780275988272|access-date=9 December 2021|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceE">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caithnessarchives.org.uk/caithness/jervisbay.htm|title=HMS "Jervis Bay":Convoy HX.84. 5th November 1940 - Highland Archives|website=Caithnessarchives.org.uk|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref>

==Construction==
''Mopan'' was built in the [[Birkenhead]] yards of [[Cammell Laird|Cammell Laird Ltd]]. 
With a length of {{cvt|397|ft|abbr=on}}, a {{cvt|51.5|ft|abbr=on}} beam and a gross registered tonnage of 5389, ''Mopan'' was powered by a single three cylinder triple expansion steam engine which produced 447 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]. A single screw was driven via a shaft and gave her a service speed of {{convert|13.5|kn|km/h}}.

Registered in [[Liverpool]], ''Mopan'' had crew accommodation for 68.

==Service life==
Following her [[sea trials]] ''Mopan'' joined the rest of the [[Fyffes Line]] and commenced her service life plying between the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[West Indies]], engaged in the transportation of [[banana]]s.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

===Second World War===
====Background====
At the outbreak of [[World War II]] in September 1939, [[German cruiser Admiral Scheer|''Admiral Scheer'']] remained at anchor in the [[Schillig]] [[roadstead]] outside [[Wilhelmshaven]] with the heavy cruiser {{ship|German cruiser|Admiral Hipper||2}}, her only action being on 4 September when two groups of five [[Bristol Blenheim]] bombers attacked the ships. During the attack one bomb struck the ''Scheer's'' deck, but failed to explode, whilst a further two detonated in the water near the ship. Gunners aboard ''Admiral Scheer'' managed to shoot down one of the five [[Bristol Blenheim]]s and she emerged from the attack undamaged.{{sfn|Watson|pp=71–72}}

In the Autumn of 1940 ''Admiral Scheer'' received orders to commence [[commerce raiding]], the operation being under the overall control of [[Karl Doenitz|Admiral Karl Doenitz]] at German Naval Group Command West.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/> With the highly experienced [[Kapitän zur See]] [[Theodor Krancke]] in command,{{sfn|Watson|p=72}}''Admiral Scheer'' sailed in October 1940 on her first combat [[sortie]]. Continuing undetected by ships of the [[Royal Navy]] or aircraft from [[RAF Coastal Command]], on the night of 31 October she slipped through the [[Denmark Strait]] and broke out into the open [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]].{{sfn|Showell|p=66}}

The ''Scheer'' proceeded to [[sortie]] towards the [[Greenland|Greenland Ice Barrier]] following which Kapitän Krancke made a decision to plot a course towards {{coord|53|00|N|35|00|W|type:event_region:XZ}}. This would place the ''Admrial Scheer'' within the [[Mid-Atlantic gap|Atlantic Gap]], and once established in this area it would afford the opportunity to maximise the search by repeatedly crossing what was presumed to be the [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]] convoy route.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

Radio silence was broken for the first time since leaving port at 23:16hrs on November 1 in order to report that the latitude of 60 degrees North had just been crossed. This message concluded the initial stage of the operation, namely the successful breakthrough into the Atlantic.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>
[[File:Bundesarchiv DVM 10 Bild-23-63-64, Panzerschiff "Admiral Scheer".jpg|thumb|Panzerschiff ''Admiral Scheer'']]

====Interception====
Under the command of her [[Master mariner|Master]], [[Sea captain|Captain]] Sapsworth, the ''Mopan'' had departed [[Port Antonio]] bound for [[Garston, Liverpool]], with a cargo of bananas (one of the last consignments of the fruit destined for the United Kingdom before the wartime ban was introduced).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/banana-substitute#:~:text=To%20cope%20with%20shortages%2C%20the,needed%20for%20the%20war%20effort|title=To Cope With a Wartime Banana Ban, British Home Cooks Made 'Mock Bananas'|website=Atlasobscura.com|date=30 April 2019|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref> On the morning of November 5, as she continued on passage, the ''Mopan'' passed [[Convoy HX 84]], sailing eastbound from [[Halifax (former city), Nova Scotia|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]], also bound for [[Liverpool]]. An offer was made for the ''Mopan'' to join the convoy, however this was declined by Sapsworth who decided that he would sail on alone.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

Having been thwarted from using its 2 [[Arado Ar 196]] [[seaplane]]s the previous day, on November 5 the weather was suitable for the ''Admiral Scheer'' to utilise its air reconnaissance. Piloted by Lieutenant Pietsch, a seaplane was launched at 09:40hrs having been ordered to make a sweep {{convert|100|nmi}} wide and {{convert|70|nmi}} deep.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/> When the seaplane returned at 12:05hrs the observer reported having sighted a convoy steaming eastbound at position 52 41 N. 32 52 W. This meant that the intervening distance between the ''Scheer'' and the convoy was approximately {{convert|90|nmi}}. No escort had been observed.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> This confirmed the earlier ''[[B-Dienst]]'' radio intercept by the ''Scheer'' which had identified the convoy as being HX 84.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

The proximity of HX 84 posed a dilemma to Kapitän Krancke regarding whether he should attack the convoy before nightfall, or wait and make his attack at dawn the following day.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/> Even though it meant only two hours of daylight would be available for the attack, Krancke made his decision to intercept and brought the ''Scheer'' onto a course of 150 degrees and increased his speed to {{convert|23|kn|km/h}}.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/> At 14:27hrs, an hour before the ''Scheer'' was scheduled to intercept the convoy, a single smoke column was observed. Once visual acquisition had been made a flag could be observed flying from the masthead, however the purpose of this could not be established. Unsure as to the identity of the vessel Krancke decided to maintain his course, as to turn away to the east would significantly reduce his ability to intercept HX 84 before darkness fell. As the range decreased it was decided that the vessel was an armed [[merchantman]], acting as a screen, and stationed ahead or on the flank of the convoy.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

It was at this point that ''"action stations"'' was sounded onboard the ''Scheer.'' Krancke trained all his armament on to the ''Mopan'' with the ''Scheer'' firing warning shots from her secondary armament of [[15 cm SK C/28|{{convert|15|cm|abbr=on}}]] SK C/28 guns, which exploded close to the freighters bow. At 15:08hrs, by use of a [[signal lamp]], the ''Scheer'' ordered the ''Mopan'' to [[heave to]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

''Admiral Scheer'' then proceeded to hoist a [[Naval flag signalling|flag signal]] stating ''"Take to your boats and bring your papers across."''<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/> Kapitän Krancke kept his guns trained on the ''Mopan's'' wireless transmission aerials on her masthead and accompanied this with an order that the ship's [[wireless]] was not to be used. This caused some rancour onboard the ''Mopan'' with her [[Two-way radio|Wireless Officer]], James Macintosh, on more than one occasion pleading with Captain Sapsworth to ignore the request from the ''Admiral Scheer'' and transmit the internationally recognised signal: R-R-R ''(I Am Being Attacked By A Raider),'' thereby affording Convoy HX 84 the ability to take some form of evasive action.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>
However with the guns of the ''Scheer'' trained on the ''Mopan,'' and given the realisation that at any time his ship could be blown from beneath him, Capt. Sapsworth chose to refuse Macintosh's requests and instead he ordered his [[ship's company]] to abandon ship. The order was carried out in a measured and organised manner, something that was not lost on Kapitän Krancke.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>
{{location map
|Atlantic Ocean
|lat= +52.48
|long= -32.15
|caption= Approximate position of ''Mopan''{{'}}s wreck
|relief= yes
}}

====Sinking====
Following the evacuation of the ''Mopan,'' ''Admiral Scheer'' proceeded to sink the vessel. However this proved to be a more difficult task than was initially envisaged.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

If he was to make a successful interception of HX 84 before nightfall, Krancke knew that time was beginning to run short. No Prize Crew was sent to the ''Mopan,'' instead ''Admiral Scheer'' opened fire on the [[merchantman]] from a distance of approximately 300 [[yard]]s using a combination of her secondary armament of [[15 cm SK C/28|{{convert|15|cm|abbr=on}}]] SK C/28 guns and her main armament of [[28 cm SK C/28 naval gun|{{convert|28|cm|in|abbr=on|1}}]] SK C/28 guns. Vexed by the continued stubbornness of the ''Mopan,'' Kapitän Krancke ordered an increase in the rate of fire from the ''Scheer's'' gunners in addition to which he requested the presence of Captain Sapsworth, who cautioned against the targeting of the [[aft]] end of his ship as it was where the ammunition for the ''Mopan's'' 4in gun was stored. ''Mopan'' finally sank at 16:05hrs.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

====Aftermath====
It is highly debatable that given the unimportance of intercepting a sole merchantman when viewed against that of attacking a 38 ship convoy with negligible protection, that the ''Admiral Scheer'' would have taken the opportunity to carry out the action that it did. Indeed the time scale that was taken with the interception and subsequent sinking of the ''Mopan,'' together with that of the successive action against [[HMS Jervis Bay|HMS ''Jervis Bay'']] and [[SS Beaverford|SS ''Beaverford,'']] may well have played a significant factor in the inability of the ''Admiral Scheer'' to completely decimate Convoy [[Convoy HX 84|HX 84]]. Although he failed to warn HX 84 of the direct threat that stood in the convoy's way, nevertheless by ordering the slow and orderly evacuation of the ''Mopan'' it could well be viewed that [[Sea captain|Captain]] Sapsworth played a direct part in delaying the interception of HX 84 by ''Admiral Scheer.''<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

The crew of the ''Mopan'' may well have viewed Sapsworth as both a [[coward]] and in some ways guilty of neglecting the ships in convoy HX 84, especially during their years in a German prisoner of war camp. However a counterbalance to that could be that Sapsworth did what he thought was best at that particular time, for his ship and the crew in his charge.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

== Official number and code letters ==
[[Official number]]s are issued by individual flag states. They should not be confused with [[IMO ship identification number]]s. ''Mopan'' had the UK Official Number 161091 and used the [[Code letters|Code Letters]]  G X S D {{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Xray}}{{ICS|Sierra}}{{ICS|Delta}}.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/><ref name="ReferenceE"/>

==See also==
* [[Theodor Krancke|Kapitän Theodor Krancke]]
* ''[[German cruiser Admiral Scheer|Admiral Scheer]]''
* [[Convoy HX 84]]
* [[Battle of the Atlantic]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Watson |first=Bruce Allen |year=2006 |title=Atlantic Convoys and Nazi Raiders: The Deadly Voyage of HMS Jervis Bay |place=Barnsley |publisher=[[Praeger Publishers]] |isbn=0-275-98827-9 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PLR6Pjc4CKwC}}

{{1940 shipwrecks}}
{{coord|52|48|N|32|15|W|format=DMS|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mopan, SS}}
[[Category:1929 ships]]
[[Category:Cargo liners]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1940]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Mersey]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]]