ReportThe wreck of HMS Göteborg. This is a very hard dive down to about 45 meters. During World War II, numerous unfortunate events transpired that were not always straightforward to determine if they were the result of sabotage. On September 17, 1941, the Swedish Navy faced its most significant loss during the preparedness period. Elements of the Coastal Fleet were stationed in Hårsfjärden, where the battleships Sverige, Drottning Victoria, and Tapperheten were anchored. A squadron of aircraft from F2 executed attack drills against these ships. The assaults were initiated at low altitude from the east over the island of Märsgarn, where the destroyers Klas Uggla, Klas Horn, and Göteborg were docked. The fourth destroyer in the fleet, Stockholm, was navigating in Mysingen with plans to moor next to Göteborg, which was involved in training exercises with the rear torpedo tubes.
According to sources, suddenly a massive explosion erupted at the stern of Göteborg, immediately followed by a similar blast on Klas Horn, which was the closest vessel. It was almost certainly the combat-ready torpedoes that had exploded. A violent fire ignited, and burning oil spilled into the sea, rendering it impossible to tow the damaged ships to rescue Klas Uggla, which was positioned the farthest away. The two damaged vessels disintegrated and sank within fifteen minutes. The unsecured sinking bombs obliterated the sterns. Klas Uggla also went down after an hour due to the burning oil. This incident resulted in the loss of 33 lives. The destroyers Göteborg and Klas Horn were salvaged and repaired, returning to active duty in the autumn of 1943. Klas Uggla was salvaged but ultimately decommissioned due to extensive damage.
HMS Göteborg underwent repairs and received a new stern at the Oskarshamn shipyard, re-entering service in September 1943. She was decommissioned on July 15, 1958, and on August 14, 1962, she was towed out in Hanöbukten to serve as a target for the 11th destroyer division.
