Wreck of the DS Landego

Wreck of the DS Landego - Norway

Editorial and Photography by Simon Kentta

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DS Landego was a Norwegian cable-laying vessel requisitioned by German forces during the Second World War. In July 1942, the ship was assigned to lay communication cables across Toppsundet in Kasfjorden, northern Norway. Unknown to the crew, the Germans had ordered the operation to take place in waters containing a minefield.

On 10 July 1942, Landego arrived in Harstad to load provisions and equipment before beginning the mission. Four German naval personnel boarded the vessel to supervise the operation and ensure German military orders were followed. Before departure, the ship’s officers informed the German harbour authorities of their planned movements and were assured that the route was safe.

The following day, on 11 July, Landego sailed first to Grøtavær, where German officers determined the cable landing points. The vessel then continued toward Ytre Elgsnes and Kasfjorden. During the crossing, discussions took place between the captain and the German overseer regarding known minefields outside the fjord. Both believed the waters between Elgsnes and Bremnes were clear because cables were to be laid there.

Only minutes after altering course toward Kasfjord, a violent explosion struck the vessel amidships. The ship had most likely hit a mine directly beneath the hull. Survivors later described how Landego was destroyed and sank almost immediately, approximately 300 metres off Indre Elgsnes.

The crew had no warning and little chance to react. Captain Sverdrup Bernhard Johannesen was thrown into the sea by the explosion and survived, while several crew members disappeared with the ship. Of the 14-man Norwegian crew, seven were lost, along with two German naval personnel.

At the time of the sinking, Landego carried around 100 tons of telegraph cable and was equipped with lifeboats, rafts, and workboats. Despite this, the rapid sinking left little opportunity for evacuation. The tragedy later became an example of the dangers faced by civilian and requisitioned vessels operating in wartime northern waters.

Diving:

There is generally good visibility in the area around Landego, but if you want to experience truly exceptional visibility, you should dive in winter. Winter diving in northern Norway presents many challenges, including snow, cold, darkness, and wind, but the reward can be magnificent visibility of 40–50 m.

The wreck lies upright on an even keel at a depth of 68 m. The bow, which struck the mine, was blown off and now rests a short distance forward of the bridge. There is not much to see on the detached bow; however, the bridge and stern sections offer plenty of interesting features to explore.

The entire wreck is covered with beautiful anemones. You can look into the galley, where stacks of porcelain remain. The toilet door has deteriorated to the point that you can now see directly inside. On the bridge, the name "Landego" is still visible, and a look into the engine room reveals the ship's engine telegraph still in place.

Landego is an excellent dive on a relatively compact wreck, allowing ample time to examine and photograph the site before beginning the long ascent.

Above: DS Landego's stern remains remarkably intact more than 80 years after the vessel struck a German mine and sank on 11 July 1942 off Indre Elgsnes, northern Norway. The wreck lies upright on an even keel at 68 metres, its railings and superstructure now draped in marine growth and anemones. Technical divers Victor Mattson and Mika Reunanen explore the stern section, illuminating details of this historic Norwegian cable-laying vessel lost during a wartime communications mission.

Below: More than eight decades after her loss, the bridge of the Norwegian cable ship Landego remains remarkably intact. Illuminated by a diver’s torch at 68 metres, the vessel’s name—LANDEGO—can still be clearly read on the bridge front, a poignant reminder of the ship’s final mission.

Above: Technical diver Mika Reunanen examines the emergency steering gear aboard Landego. Once a critical backup system for controlling the vessel, the wooden steering components are slowly disappearing as shipworms consume the timber, leaving only the metal framework behind. The wreck’s remarkable preservation offers a rare glimpse into the workings of this Norwegian cable-laying vessel.

Below: The ship’s porcelain toilet remains in place, while shipworms have consumed much of the wooden door and surrounding framework over the decades.

Above: Technical diver Mika Reunanen inspects Landego’s propeller, still attached to the stern more than 80 years after the ship was lost. Built in 1927 as a cable-laying vessel for the Norwegian Telegraph Administration, Landego was powered by a single steam engine developing approximately 350 horsepower, providing the steady, controlled propulsion needed for laying and maintaining submarine communication cables along the Norwegian coast.

Below: The aft accommodation block and its side passageways are richly encrusted with anemones and other marine life, creating one of the most visually striking areas of the Landego wreck. Eight decades beneath the cold waters of northern Norway have transformed the vessel into an artificial reef teeming with life.

Above: Before the dive, Jonas Tjärnlund carries bailout cylinders down the snow-covered dock to the waiting dive boat. Nearly a foot of fresh snow had fallen overnight, adding an extra challenge to preparations for a deep winter dive on the Landego wreck in northern Norway.

Below: In the predawn darkness of a Norwegian winter, Victor Mattson and Erik Stennert launch The Hulk, their RIB dive boat, as light snow falls across Kasfjord. Despite the cold temperatures and fresh snowfall, the team prepared for another day exploring the Landego wreck beneath the clear waters of northern Norway.

Above: Winter temperatures approaching –20°C place significant demands on both divers and equipment. Frost-covered cylinders, regulators, and deck surfaces are a constant reminder that cold-weather logistics can be as challenging as the dive itself when exploring deep wrecks in northern Norway.

Below: Divers Left to Right: After a successful day on the Landego, the dive team pauses for a group photo aboard The Hulk in the waters of northern Norway. From left: Anders Törnqvist, Victor Mattson, Jonas Tjärnlund, Mika Reunanen, Simon Kenttä, and boat skipper Erik Stennert of Dive Narvik. Behind the camera: Patrik Grönqvist.