For his brave actions in trying to rescue the ship and her crew first officer Peter Korsen was posthumously promoted to captain.
The ship was empty and with a minimum amount of ballast lie for anchor for the port of Skikda when very bad weather and high winds were expected.
When the wind reached force 10 on the Beaufort scale the ship pulled loose from her anchors and smashed against the piers of the harbour.
[2][3] Around 23:00 hours the captain, with help from the 1st officer, started the engines and tried to sail free from the pierhead using full power.
These two sailors were swept overboard by the wind and waves but managed to reach the shore with minor wounds.