The Harrowing Journey of the Høegh Silverdawn

On June 10, 1943, the Norwegian merchant ship Høegh Silverdawn departed Fremantle, Australia, bound for Basra, Iraq. Carrying 9,000 tons of general cargo, including frozen meat, war materials like shells, tractors, guns, and aviation fuel, the ship was on an essential mission during the tumultuous days of World War II. However, this seemingly routine voyage would soon turn into a nightmare for its crew and passengers.

Just five days into the journey, on June 15, the ship was attacked without warning by the German auxiliary cruiser Michel. In a sudden, violent strike, the Høegh Silverdawn was sunk at position 25°40’S 92°E, southeast of the Coco Islands in the Indian Ocean. Of the 58 people aboard—11 of them passengers—27 were killed in the attack, including six passengers. The rest of the survivors were left to face the open ocean under extreme conditions.

Among the survivors was Captain Edgar Waaler, along with 17 crew members and five passengers. They managed to escape in a damaged lifeboat, but their struggle was far from over. The lifeboat, barely seaworthy, embarked on an incredible 31-day odyssey across the Indian Ocean. Over the course of 2,865 miles, the survivors battled hunger, thirst, and the elements as they made their way to safety.

The survivors’ endurance and resourcefulness were tested to the limit. They managed to stay alive despite limited provisions and exposure to the elements, enduring waves, scorching heat, and the constant threat of death. Their journey, which would eventually take them to the coast of India, is a testament to the human will to survive even in the most desperate circumstances.

On June 26, the survivors were finally rescued by the American ship Franklyn P. Mull, bringing an end to their harrowing ordeal. Tragically, the survivors from the Høegh Silverdawn were not the only casualties in this dramatic story. Six of the original complement were taken aboard the Michel‘s motor torpedo boat Esau, only to die when the Michel itself was sunk later in the war. Their stories, along with those of the survivors, remain a powerful reminder of the dangers of World War II’s naval battles and the human spirit’s capacity to endure unimaginable hardship.

The sinking of the Høegh Silverdawn and the extraordinary survival of her crew and passengers is a story of tragedy and triumph. The bravery shown by those who survived against all odds is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, forever etched into the history of World War II’s naval conflicts.