The steel steamship Ingvar was launched from the yard of Petter Larsson Mek Verkstad, Thorskog (Yard No 167) on 17th April 1903. She measured 178.7′ x 29.5′ x 12.2′ and her tonnage was 629 gross tons, 339 net tons. She was powered by a compound steam engine by her builders delivering 46 nominal horse power. Built for Larsson’s own shipping company she was purchased from Larsson’s estate in 1915 by A/S Tempo (Johannes Lindvig) in 1915 who re-named her Tempo. Multiple ownership changes then followed until 1926 when she was acquired by Borgvold’s Rederi A/S, Sarpsborg who re-named her Borgvold. In 1932 she was purchased by Skibs A/S Tempo (Ottra Holter) who returned her name to Tempo. Her final owners, Skibs A/S Senita (H Rich, Aase), Oslo, purchased her in 1939.
Steamship Tempo under way
Lloyd’s register 1939
On 3rd February 1940 Tempo was en route from Gothenburg to Hull with a cargo of paper under the command of Captain Albert Knudsen. He had a crew of fourteen men aboard. Around 10am that morning, with the welcome sight of Longstone Lighthouse only a few miles ahead Knudsen, who had been on the bridge all night, was having breakfast before going to his cabin for some welcome rest when he heard the sound of approaching German aircraft. The 2nd mate and a deckhand were on duty in the bridge and, as Knudsen rushed on deck, the sound of machine gun fire rang out. Three German aircraft screamed overhead and turned for a second attack. This time a string of bombs rained down on Tempo and, while the crew tried to take shelter in the chart house, one of the bombs struck the stern of the ship. She immediately began to settle. A third attack saw more bombs aimed at the foundering ship and then, after the crew managed to launch and disembark in two lifeboats, the Germans returned again with machine gun fire straffing the ship and narrowly missing one of the lifeboats. Thankfully, after this final attack, the planes circled for another twenty minutes then turned and headed back towards Germany. One lifeboat, with the captain and seven men aboard, made it safely to the shore landing near Eyemouth. The second boat, with six men aboard, drifted further south but unfortunately came ashore on the north side of the breakwater at Berwick-on-Tweed where it capsized in the surf killing four of the six men aboard. A further crewman died in the Pilot’s House shortly after the two survivors were hauled ashore. Only able seaman Olav Lillenes lived to tell the tale.
The wreck of the Tempo was discovered by divers from Marinequest, Eyemouth but not positively identified until 2024. The wreck which sits upright in 72 metres is oriented 123/303 degrees in position 55 47.383 N, 001 40.753 W. She rises 9 metres from the seabed and was suspected to be Tempo as her cargo of paper is visible. The wreck is fairly in tact except for the stern section where the bomb damage is apparent. The decks structures have disappeared leaving the engine room and engine exposed. Forward her two holds are open and the cargo of paper clearly visible. Her identity was absolutely confirmed in 2024 when the maker’s plate was recovered.
Maker’s plate recovered from the wreck
We’d like to thank Lloyd’s Register Foundation for their permission to use documents from their archive in this article.
We’d also like to acknowledge the contribution of of Marinequest, Eyemouth who discovered and identified the wreck (marinequest.co.uk)
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