SS Corsika

[Guest mheilmann]

Looking for anything on German steamer Corsika that struck a mine during Operation Albion, October 1917, in the Baltic Islands.

Thanks!

[Tim]

Looking for anything on German steamer Corsika that struck a mine during Operation Albion, October 1917, in the Baltic Islands.

Thanks!

Extract taken from Eagles Over the Baltic - Part 1 - By Gary Staff.

During the afternoon of October 11th the Special Unit slowly progressed northwards, the first section, preceded by the trawlers of the S-Flottille of the Baltic, with broken out sweeper gear, and the second section preceded by the II M.S.F., likewise with sweeper gear set. No mines were so far encountered. Towards late afternoon the S-Flottille of the Baltic handed over the minesweeping duties to the other trawlers and Frgkpt. Rosenberg hurried ahead to lay out the light vessels along the foreseen route at the nominated points, S, Epsilon, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and White, some of which were already indicated by U-Boats.

Meanwhile the minesweeping trawlers continued their difficult work, however, due to the increasing swell and the clinkering of their fires their speed reduced to 5 ½ knots and then 4 knots. They began to fall behind schedule. At point Gamma there was a ninety degree course alteration to almost due east and in the darkness the 1 ½ nautical mile wide sweeper formation fell into complete disarray. A further delay of two hours was incurred before the confusion was unravelled and the trawlers could continue their advance. Fregattenkapitan von Rosenberg realized something was amiss and therefore made the wireless signal: "Clear the Fleet area by 0200hrs," to the trawlers. Nevertheless, towards midnight, the II M.S.F. caught up with the trawlers and eventually had to bypass them before resuming their minesweeping work. Soon the heavy ships would be approaching from the south.

The third and forth sections of the Special Unit advanced according to schedule. At about 1934hrs the main body passed point S and steered towards Epsilon. At around 2100hrs the 1st Division of Squadron IV detached to take up their allotted bombardment positions off Sworbe. Towards midnight S.M.S. Konig arrived at point Gamma but then had to reduce speed as the II M.S.F. now lay close ahead. The entire German formation was now beginning to bunch up. If the element of surprise was not to be lost, the Pioneers needed to be at the anchorage by 0300hrs at the latest but this was quickly becoming an impossibility. The Chief of the special Unit was now faced with a difficult decision----either renounce the minesweeping or else loose the effect of surprise. Without hesitation V.Adm. Schmidt determined to forgo further minesweeping and gave the order to the Minesweeper units : "Immediately give room for the Fleet. Take on gear."

Ahead of Squadron III were the countless stern lanterns of the M.S. Units and due to those and the dense clouds of funnel smoke it was difficult to discern the lights of the navigational marks. Nonetheless, the battleships were able to anchor at their allotted positions at 0300hrs. By 0340hrs the Pioneers aboard the battleships of Squadron III had disembarked and were on their way towards Tagga Bay, in the wake of Torpedoboote Flottille II and the steamers Blitz, Equity and Corsica, which were carrying the main body of the Pioneers. Moltke followed this unit as support. The battleships then steamed towards their bombardment areas. The three ships of Squadron IV, under the Command of Kommodore Meurer, would take battery Hundsort under fire, whilst the III Squadron would fire on battery Ninnast. To cover the nearby landing at Pamerort S.M.S. Bayern would bombard the battery at Cape Toffri and Emden would fire on the battery at Pamerort. All the ships were to remain within areas swept by the S-Flottille. However, due to a navigational error the light vessel at point Delta was displaced 3 nautical miles from it's intended position, and as the S-Flottille had used this point as a navigational fix this meant that likewise the areas swept for the intended bombardment positions were displaced. It later transpired that all the battleships were actually operating in unswept waters during their bombardments. Therefore, it was only due to providence that there were no serious losses during the landing.

Meanwhile, the progress of the motor launches laden with Pioneers was beginning to fall behind schedule, with the result that the Chief of the II Flottille ordered the torpedoboats to advance and the steamers and launches to follow as quickly as possible. Moltke followed just 1500 metres behind the last steamer, Corsica. Suddenly, at 0535hrs, Corsica ran onto a mine. The detonation was to starboard, aft, beneath the engine room, which quickly filled with water. Moltke came forward and two of her torpedoboat escorts were sent to Corsica to take off the troops, the II Bataillon Infanterie Regiment 138. This was carried out expeditiously and without loss. Later, Corsica was towed to Cape Merris and beached, where repairs were carried out before she returned to Libau. Evidently there was a small Russian mine barrier running eastwards across the entrance to Tagga Bay and this was subsequently swept by II M.S.Flottille.

Hope this is helpful.

Cheers,

Tim