The steel steamship Aldebaran was launched from the yard of Frerikstad Mek Vaerks, Frerickstad (Yard No 223) in 1919. She measured 300.6′ x 47.2′ x 20.8′ and her tonnage was 2618 gross tons, 1554 net tons. She was powered by a STAL turbine engine coupled to twin turbo-electric motors by Svenska Turbinfabriks A/S, Zungstrom, Turspong. She was ordered Erik Brodins A/B, Toro. On her first voyage her engines failed, the precursor of ongoing engine problems that were ultimately to lead to engine replacement seven years later. Two years later the shipping company went bankrupt and her ownership transferred to Svenska Handelbanken. In 1922 she was sold to A/S Forende of Kristiana who re-named her Esther Elina. In April 1926 she was purchased by A/B Tramsmarin (Sven Regdig), Helsinborg whi changed her name to Wanja. At this point her troublesome turbine engine was replaced by a triple expansion steam engine by A/B Lindholmen Motola delivering 212 nominal horse power.
Wanja as Aldebaran dockside
Lloyds register 1939
In 1933 the ship ran into a severe storm en route from Boca Grande, Florida to Sweden causing catastrophic damage to her rudder rendering her unmanageable. She drifted for six days before a salvage steamer arrived and towed her to safety. She had survived this weather related incident only to become the victim of another years later.
Ironically she was on the same Transatlantic route from Boca Grande to Stockholm with a full load of phosphate. On 14th October 1939, with the Transatlantic portion of her voyage complete, she approached the Orkneys. Even at this early stage in the conflict the Royal Navy was employed in intercepting vessels coming into Europe from the United States intent on stopping any wartime related supplies reaching Germany. Wanja was stopped and a team of Navy seamen boarded intent on taking the vessel into Kirkwall for a full inspection. The details of what happened are not recorded due to wartime reporting restrictions but hours later she was aground on The Foulan off Whitemill Point, Sanday. Whether the weather was responsible for the initial stranding is likely but not clear but the weather was certainly to have the final say. It was hoped that the stranded ship could be refloated but, as is often the case in the windswept islands of Orkney, she was soon damaged beyond repair and nine days later she was declared a constructive total loss. She became a total wreck and was subject to heavy salvage after the war.
Wanja aground at Whitemill Point
The remaining wreckage of the Wanja lies in approximate position 59° 18.493’N, 002° 31.624’W in shallow water with some wreckage ashore and further scattered items visible at low tide.
