| 2 ships are afire in Algiers harbor, following the explosion of the Norwegian cargo ship Bjørkhaug. USS Savannah (CL-42) is in the foreground. On 13 July 1943, Savannah had but 1 call for naval gunfire, and answered by hurling several salvos on the hill town of Butera. Before the 1st Infantry Division pressed on into the interior, it thanked Savannah for “crushing three infantry attacks and silencing four artillery batteries,” as well as for demoralizing the Italian troops by the effect of her fire. The division thanked Savannah in total for “crushing three infantry attacks and silencing four artillery batteries.” Savannah fought at general quarters for nearly 97 hours, and fired 1,890 6-inch rounds before she sailed for Algiers the next day, carrying but a single remaining SON-1 of VCS-8. Conrath later cited naval gunfire as 1 of the reasons why the Hermann Göring Division failed to drive the invaders into the sea. While Steamship Bjørkhaug loaded was loading scrap metal, empty cartridges and German and Italian landmines on July 16, 1943, while docked in a quay at Algiers, a strong explosion blew the foredeck away, killing everyone there instantly. The blast effectively destroyed the ship, and inflicted hundreds of casualties on people in the area; an estimated 1,000 dockworkers were killed. The flames threatened British cargo ship Fort Confidence, which carried a load of oil, and Dutch tug Hudson bravely took her in tow out to sea, where the crew beached her to prevent further loss. USS Savannah stood by to render assistance during the fiery ordeal. Killed aboard Bjørkhaug included Captain Ole Sandvik (January 4, 1897 – July 16, 1943), Master of the Bjørkhaug; Seaman Andrias A. Bryn (June 16, 1918 – July 16, 1943); Engineer Peter Haaskjold (July 29, 1889 – July 16, 1943); Ordinary Seaman Leslie N. Hill (November 17, 1923 – July 16, 1943) British Merchant Navy; Mess Boy Derek J. Hopkins (October 13, 1925 – July 16, 1943), British Merchant Navy; Able Seaman Bruno Mortensen (May 4, 1916 – July 16, 1943); Gunner Herbert Senior (November 25, 1922 – July 16, 1943); Seaman Markus Skoglund (October 13, 1909 – July 16, 1943); and Ordinary Seaman Alexis Stephanoff (???? – July 16, 1943). United States Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Edward N. Haig (May 28, 1920 – September 11, 1943) recorded in USS Savannah’s war diary, “[At] 1321 Hours, observed terrific explosion of an ammunition ship moored to doc in Basin du Mustapha about one mile (1.6 kilometers) southwest, causing large fire with numerous small explosions. Ammunition ship was instantly and completely destroyed by major explosion and tanker alongside caught fire and was towed clear of docs and shipping. Dock buildings in the vicinity were completely wrecked, tile roof and all windows through a large area were shattered. Exact loss of life unknown, but expected to reach at least two hundred…[at] 1540 Hours, ships underway to clear vicinity of fire.” (Haig was killed in action a month later, when Savannah was hit by a Nazi German Fritz X glide bomb of Salerno.) Savannah returned to Sicily on July 19, 1943, to support the 7th Army’s advance along the island’s northwest coast between Santo Stefano di Camastra and Capo d’Orlando (July 29 – August 8), and to prevent the enemy from filtering supplies to their troops. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1933.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.20 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5287 x 4450 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | July 16, 1943 |
| Location | |
| City | Algiers |
| State or Province | Algiers |
| Country | Algeria |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-3965 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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