Skaubryn

The Skaubryn was a Norwegian passenger vessel built in 1951 at Oresundsvarvelt, Aktiebolag, Landskrona. She served as an immigrant transport vessel, primarily operating routes between England, Malta, and Australia during the 1950s.

Construction and Early Service

From her completion in 1951 until 1958, the Skaubryn successfully transported immigrants to Australia, completing at least six incident-free voyages between Malta and Australia.

The Fatal Voyage

On March 31, 1958, under the command of Captain Alf Haakon Feste, the Skaubryn was traversing a calm Indian Ocean after passing through Port Said and Aden. That afternoon, the captain had conducted an emergency drill at 2:30 PM, requiring all passengers to forgo their usual siesta - a decision that would prove crucial for survival.

In the early hours following the drill, disaster struck when crew members accidentally caused oil from an open line to spray onto hot exhaust pipes, triggering an immediate fire. The recent drill practice proved invaluable as passengers efficiently evacuated to the lifeboats. Despite the emergency, only one casualty occurred - an elderly German passenger who suffered a fatal heart attack.

Rescue and Aftermath

The merchant vessel City of Sydney, despite having accommodation for only 30 people, was first to respond and rescued the passengers. The luxury liner Roma also arrived to assist, and many passengers were transferred to her decks. The survivors were taken to Aden, where they remained for three days and received £10 in pocket money each.

After the Aden stopover, the passengers continued their journey to Australia aboard the Orsova. Upon arrival in Fremantle, they were met by local authorities and the Maltese Commissioner, who accompanied them to Melbourne. The Australian Government, through Immigration Minister Sir A.R. Downer, offered £20,000 in compensation. The Maltese Government provided additional compensation on a scaled basis: £50 for adults, £25 for those aged 14-20, and £10 for children. Additional support came from organizations including the Australian Red Cross and St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Reports indicate there was discrimination in the treatment of English versus Maltese passengers in the aftermath of the disaster.

Historical Note

Thirty-six years later, on November 30, 1994, the Achille Lauro would suffer a similar fate in nearly the same location, burning for two days before sinking, with the loss of three lives.

Key Facts

Specification	Detail
Built	1951
Builder	Oresundsvarvelt, Aktiebolag, Landskrona
Length	440.4 feet (134.2 meters)
Beam	57.1 feet (17.4 meters)
Depth	21.6 feet (6.6 meters)
Decks	Four
Official Number	9786