Scantic was a coaster that was built in 1936 by Noord Nederland Scheepsmakkerij, Groningen as Dr Colijn for a Dutch owner. In 1940, she was transferred to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and renamed Empire Crocus. In 1947, she was sold into merchant service and renamed Stainton. A further sale in 1951 saw her renamed Benwood. In 1955 she was sold to Finland and renamed Monica. A further sale to Sweden in 1957 saw her renamed Mona. In 1963, she was sold to Denmark and renamed Scantic, serving until 7 December 1964 when she foundered in St Georges Channel, United Kingdom.
The ship was built in 1936 by Noord Nederland Scheepsmakkerij, Groningen, Netherlands,[1] As yard number 152.
The ship was 42.52m (139.5feet) long, with a beam of 6.99m (22.93feet). She had a depth of 2.71m (08.89feet). As built, she was assessed at . .
The ship was propelled by a 222 nhp 4-stroke Single Cycle Single Action diesel engine, which had six cylinders of NaNinches diameter by NaNinches stroke.[2] The engine drove a single screw propeller. It was built by MWM, Mannheim, Germany.[3]
Dr Colijn was built for M Oosterhuis, Delfzijl, Netherlands. The Code Letters PDSD were allocated.[2] In 1940, she was transferred to the MoWT and renamed Empire Crocus.[1] She was placed under the management of T H Donking & Sons Ltd. The Official Number 167408 was allocated. Her port of registry was London and the Code Letters MNDN were allocated.[4] Empire Crocus was assessed at, .[5]
Empire Crocus was a member of Convoy OA 208, which departed from Methil, Fife on 2 September 1940 and dispersed at sea on 6 September.[6] In 1941, part of her cargo was advertised to be auctioned as prize.[7] Empire Crocus was a member of Convoy EBC 13, which departed Barry, Glamorgan on 16 June 1944 and arrived at the Seine Bay on 18 June.[8] She left the convoy at Falmouth, Cornwall. On 7 July, she repeated the voyage as a member of Convoy EBC 34.[9] Empire Crocus was a member of Convoy TS 63, which departed Takoradi, Gold Coast on 31 August 1944 and arrived at Freetown, Sierra Leone on 5 September.[10]
In 1947, Empire Crocus was sold to H P Marshall & Co Ltd, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire and renamed Stainton. In 1951, she was sold to Mountwood Shipping Co Ltd, Liverpool and renamed Benwood.[1] On 8 January 1952, Benwood was in distress off Great Orme Head, Caernarvonshire. The Holyhead lifeboat was launched but her assistance was not required. Benwood was escorted into Liverpool, Lancashire by a pilot boat.[11] In 1955, she was sold to Rederei AB Henrik Selen, Borgå,[12] Finland and renamed Monica.[1] The Official Number 482 and Code Letters OFVF were allocated. Monica was assessed as, .[12] In 1957, she was sold to N O Olausson, Sweden and renamed Mona.[1] She was assessed as .[3]
In 1963, Mona was sold to J L Hansen,[1] Rønne, Denmark and was renamed Scantic.[1] She was assessed as .[3] On 7 December 1964, Scantic sprang a leak in St George's Channel, United Kingdom in heavy weather. She was on a voyage from Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom to Poole, Dorset with a cargo of lime. Water entered the engine department, and a mayday was sent at 16:30. The five crew took to the lifeboat at 17:30, but it capsized. They were all back in the lifeboat by 17:50, when Scantic capsized and sank at 51.1667°N -22°W. The crew were rescued the next day by .[13]
