M. MUSCAT, ( SS. DAYBREAK )

[MNA Wales Barry Branch]

M. MUSCAT, died 24th December 1917. He was a Fireman on the S.S. Daybreak when his ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Northern Ireland. The Master and twenty crewmen lost their lives

Often referred to as the ‘Fourth Service’ or sometimes ruefully as the ‘Forgotten Service’ the Merchant Navy has always played a key role in Maritime History. Maltese seamen have served on ships of many nations, and in times of conflict have lost their lives.

My Grandfather Thomas Greenway, of Kinsale, Eire also perished on board the SS. Daybreak, that Christmas Eve. I would imagine that he and M. MUSCAT were work mates and share the same grave, THE SEA. Jim.

[MNA Wales Barry Branch]

I have today been forwarded the complete crew list of the SS. Daybreak. Please remember Paolo Bianchi, of Malta. LEST WE FORGET.

BIANCHI, Fireman, PAOLO, S.S. "Daybreak" (West Hartlepool), Mercantile Marine. Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine 24 December 1917. Age 37. Son of the late Giorgio, and Consdata Bianchi; husband of Elena Bianchi, of 52, Sda Sta Maria, Casal Zebbug, Malta. Born in Malta.

[A FRIEND OF TREGENNA]

CHRISTMAS - HOW DEEP THEIR GRAVES

Canova, 4,637grt, defensively-armed, 24 December 1917, 15 miles South from Mine Head, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine, 7 lives lost

Daybreak, 3,238grt, defensively-armed, 24 December 1917, 1 mile East from South Rock LV, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine, 21 lives lost including Master

Turnbridge, 2,874grt, defensively-armed, 24 December 1917, 34 miles NE by N from Cape Ivi, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine, 1 life lost

Argo, 3,071grt, defensively-armed, 24 December 1917, 18 miles NW from Cape Tenez, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine

Cliftondale, 3,811grt, defensively-armed, 25 December 1917, 36 miles E by N ½ N from Cape Tenez, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine, 3 lives lost, Master prisoner

Agberi, 4,821grt, defensively-armed, 25 December 1917, 18 miles NW ½ N from Bardsey Island, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine

Umballa, 5,310grt, defensively armed, 25 December 1917, 8 miles SW by W from Cape Scalea, Gulf of Policastro, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine, 15 lives lost

Tregenna, 5,772grt, defensively-armed, 26 December 1917, 9 miles south from Dodman Point, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine