Nervier

The Nervier (formerly Bruxellia), a steamship laden with a cargo of timber (planks), 1759 GRT, built 1909 as the Bruxellia by Short Brothers Ltd. Sunderland England, for Ghent Lloyd S.A (T. Nolson & Co. Mgr.). Ghent, Belgium, transferred in 1910 to Ghent Lloyd S.A. (E. Spaey & G. Reyniers. Mgrs.) Ghent, Belgium, renamed as Nervier in 1911 and transferred to Antwerpsche Zeevaart Mij. (J. D'Haene & Co. Mgrs.), Antwerp, Belgium, transferred in 1912 to Antwerpsche Zeevaart Mij. (SA de Commerce et de Navigation. Mgrs.), Antwerp, Belgium, transferred in 1915 to Antwerpsche Zeevaart Mij. (Brys & Gylsen, Ltd. Mgrs.), Antwerp, Belgium, transferred in 1916 to final owners, Lloyd Royal Belge S.A. Antwerp, Belgium, registered in Belgium, Captain J. C. Dubois.

This vessel in passage from Bergen, Norway to Lerwick was torpedoed, and attacked by gunfire from the German submarine U 101, Captain Karl Koopmann, in the northern North Sea on October 9th 1917. The vessel caught fire and drifted for three days before foundering on the 12th. All of the crew are believed to have perished.

The location(s) at which these incidents occured is somewhat unclear, however as best as can be ascertained the initial attack took place at a position given as 60.11N, 00.42W, which falls very approximately 10 miles ENE of Noss, Bressay. The position at which the vessel is believed to have sunk on the 12th, is stated as 59.50N, 01.09E, which falls very approximately 80 miles E of Sumburgh Head.

One source gives the position of the original attack as 60.11N, 06.42W, which would appear to be a typo, as it would place the incident over 150 miles W of Foula, in the North Atlantic.