The Real Story Of SS Alkinos

Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards in Baltimore, Maryland, was responsible for the construction of the ship during World War II as part of the United States' Liberty ship program. The ship was initially intended to be called George M. Shriver from the beginning. It is supposed to be haunted since a number of workmen were accidentally imprisoned within riveted compartments on the ship, which led to their tense situation. These tragic workers were discovered the next day, having died of suffocation in these enclosed spaces which had been shut off. On October 11th, 1943, it was put into operation. Nevertheless, on the 20th of October, the vessel was re-christened Viggo Hansteen and transferred to the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission.

As well as served in the military for around eighteen months, largely in the Mediterranean region, and was staffed by seafarers of a variety of nationalities. In addition to her role as a troopship, it was also responsible for transporting goods in convoys that were sometimes attacked by German aircraft and US submarines.

Between the months of August 1944 and August 1945, a murder-suicide occurred on board the Viggo Hansteen when the ship was at Naples. It has been stated that another crew member attempted to assassinate Canadian radio operator Maude Steane by shooting him in his cabin. The second crew member subsequently committed himself.

On April 24, 1952, around 2:30 in the morning, the Viggo Hansteen, which was carrying new British automobiles and bagged cement, went aground two miles northeast of the Katiki Point Lighthouse in Moerak. The ship was traveling from London to Port Chalmers and Wellington via Panama.

The tug Dunedin, which is headquartered in Port Chalmers, was sent to the site, and by 3:16 p.m., it had successfully refloated the vessel, which had sustained only minor damage, and guided it to port.

In the year 1953, the vessel was sold to Faros Shipping, which was owned by Greeks and based in London. They decided to rename it Alkimos, which is derived from the Greek term Álkimos, which means "strong". Up until 1959, the vessel was flown under the flag of Panama; nevertheless, in 1959, it was transferred to the registration of Greece.