The Dakotian (Wreck)

 interesting place, invisible

Towards the close of 1940, German Heinkel 111H bombers from captured airfields in France began using new methods of destroying British shipping - parachuting magnetic and acoustic mines into busy harbours and their approaches. Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, was one of their first targets.

In November they caused heavy losses. First to fall victim to a parachuted magnetic mine was the 6426 ton British steamer Dakotian, 400ft long and with a beam of 52ft. She was bound from Swansea for St John, New Brunswick, Canada, with a general cargo, including 1300 tons of tinplate and, oddly enough, Christmas puddings and bicycles.

She had called into Milford Haven for more cargo and was just leaving in the dark night of November 21 when she was warned by radio of German aircraft activity outside St Ann's Head. With only a 4in Vickers gun of World War One vintage with which to defend the ship, the captain decided to await daylight in Dale Roads.

Unfortunately, the German aircraft had already passed that way. As the Dakotian let go an anchor off Dale Point, there was a massive explosion and a magnetic mine blew out part of her port side. It also broke her back, and she began to sink very quickly. Within three minutes, those of her 48 crew and the ship's gunner who had not managed to get into the lifeboats were in the water and swimming to them.

All were saved, though there was an all-night search for one missing crewman who, it was said later, had swum ashore, got a lift to a relative's house, had a bath and a hot meal, and forgotten to tell anyone he was safe!