ATRATO  / THE VIKING / VIKNOR

ATRAT WAS BUILT IN 1888 BY NAPIER & SONS AT GLASGOW FOR THE ROYAL MAIL STEAMSHIP PACKET C0 .SHE WAS A VESSEL OF 5386 TONS. SHE HAD ACCOMMODATION FOR ABOUT 300 PASSENGERS, IN THREE CLASSES, BUT THE FIRST CLASS ACCOMMODATION ACCOUNTED FOR THE BULK OF IT.

SHE WAS SOLD IN 1912 TO THE VIKING CRUISE COMPANY, AND WAS RE-NAMED 'THE VIKING'.

 IN 1914 SHE WAS SECONDED BY THE ADMIRALTY AND CONVERTED TO AN ARMED MERCHANT CRUISER AND WAS RE-NAMED 'VIKNOR'.

SHE BECAME PART OF THE 10TH CRUISER SQUADRON AND WAS COMMANDED BY ERNEST OFFORD BALLANTYNE. SHE HAD A COMPLIMENT OF 22 OFFICERS AND 273 RATINGS

 IN 1915 IN HEAVY WEATHER SHE WAS LOST OF TORY ISLAND ON THE NORTHWEST COAST OF DONEGAL. ALL OF HER CREW WERE LOST,WITH LARGE QUANTITIES OF WRECKAGE AND SOME BODIES BEING WASHED ASHORE ALONG THE NORTH COAST OF IRELAND.

THE ADMIRALTY COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR HER LOSS, BUT SHE WAS IN THE AREA OF A RECENTLY LAID GERMAN MINEFIELD.SO SHE WAS  MOST LIKELY THE VICTIM OF A GERMAN MINE.