ST Voorbode

The Dutch steam trawler Voorbode was a fishing vessel, until it was confiscated by the Germans during World War II and used for military transport.

In April 1944, it was on its way from Oslo to Kirkenes when it had mechanical problems, forcing it to seek repairs in Bergen, Norway.

The force of the explosion caused a water column that was hundreds of metres high, spreading heavy debris.

Several ships were thrown on land and Voorbode's anchor was later found on the 417-metre-high (1,368 ft) mountain Sandviksfjellet at 60°25′03″N 5°20′26″E / 60.41756°N 5.34043°E / 60.41756; 5.34043 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the blast area.

The Germans initially tried to conceal the extent of the catastrophe, probably because it exposed their failure to maintain security regulations.

Burning and destroyed houses after the explosion
Destroyed houses in the center of Bergen , close to the quay where the ship exploded
From the harbor in Bergen on the day of the explosion, in front of the vessel ( SS Rogaland ) there is wreckage in the harbor basin