The men of Britain's Merchant Navy

[Administrator]

The men of Britain's Merchant Navy, although unarmed civilians going about their lawful business were the first to be involved with the enemy in the Second World War. Less than nine hours after the declaration of war on 3 September 1939, the Donaldson liner Athenia was sunk without warning by a German U-boat off the west coast of Ireland. From that moment onwards, British merchant seamen were constantly in the front line in all quarters of the globe.

For almost six years they faced, without flinching, their own private hell of torpedoes, bombs, shells and mines, all the while fending off their old arch-enemy, the sea. Sorely pressed, and often tired near to death, they kept open Britain's tenuous lifelines, bringing millions of tons of raw materials, food, oil, arms and ammunition, without which the country could not have survived.

As always, their spirit was indomitable, their professionalism unchallenged. The price they paid for their bravery and dedication was horrendous: 2,246 ships lost, 29,180 men killed, and countless hundreds maimed and wounded.

The song or prayer "For those in peril on the sea" refers to the daily battle seafarers encounter from the oceans and elements regularly faced. Ships formed into war-time Convoy's for purported greater safety, too often presented a skittle-alley to submarine torpedoes, a fairground shooting-range to armed raiders or battleships, and even crawling prey to the falcons flying above.

It was amazing to learn the Merchant Navy lost a far greater proportion of its strength than 'any' of the armed services, yet these men were 'not' concripts, rather they were volunteers, doing a job, and called upon to risk all - routinely. That one-in-three of them died, and, we do not know about it, seems obscene. I think we should salute them.

[Administrator]

EXAMINATION ON OATH.

Relating to the death of James Edward Luen on the Haringen

by name and address supplied.

I was on the bridge on the morning of 25th Nov 1939. There was a high sea and an E.N.E. gale. At about 9.35a.m. the vessel shipped a heavy sea, and directly afterwards, I heard the first mate Mr Luen, shouting for help, and could see him in the water about 100 feet to starboard. Four life bouys were thrown to him, and a raft was heaved over the ship's side at once, and I saw him grasp a bouy and get into it. The ship was kept as near to him as possible and on one occassion sighted. It was difficult for the look outs to see him on account of the heavy seas, and I wanted to swim to him with a line attached to a *****which had been thrown to him and which fell short. It was impossible on account of the seas and the distance and I was restrained.

At 11.35 a.m. we came quite close to Mr Luen, and I could see he was unconcious. I volunteered again to go to his assistance and went over to the side to him. The water was extremely cold and owing to the ship rolling and the heavy seas it was difficult to reach him. As he was in a bouy and I was on a swimming bowline he was more bouyant than I was and although I managed to grasp the bouy twice I was unable to hold it. When those at the other end of the line saw that I myself was in distress and that Mr Luen was by this time out of my reach they hauled me aboard
and I was taken to the stewards room for treatment. I saw no more of Mr Luen who was undoubtably lost by now. I am satisfied that every possible effort was made to rescue him

Signed Roy Dudley Creser 29th December 1939

It was hand written and clearly faded so could not read, one word marked with stars.

Jenny

[Administrator]

Hi Keith, have just read read poem by Joe Earl. What a spine tingling account, one that makes the hairs stay up on the back of your neck. What a horrible way to die. Such a waste.

SLP, NSW. ( Australian Associate )

THE TREGENNA POEM, CAN BE FOUND ON THE MAIN HER NAME WAS PAGE.

Billy McGee, also has some sterling words :

Cargo ship Tregenna, 5,242grt, (Hain SS Co.) had loaded a cargo of 8000t of steel in Philadelphia for Newport, Wales and sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia where the ship joined the Liverpool bound 34 ship Convoy HX-71, which left Halifax on 5th September 1940. During the crossing the convoy encountered a number of fog banks and by the 16th September had entered a severe North-Westerly gale. On the 17th September 78 miles North-West of Rockall in position 58' 22N 15' 42W, U-65 breaks through the escort screen looking for a target. Through her periscope she sights SS Tregenna who is struggling along at 8 knots in heavy seas with her bow rising high and plunging back into the sea. As her bow enters the next trough she is hit by a single torpedo in her bow, which does not rise again and the 413 foot ship continues to descend beneath the waves and disappears in 40 seconds, taking 33 men with her. By some miracle four men who had been on watch survived and were picked up by the ship which had been astern of her.

Billy McGee.

[Administrator]

Vale of Glamorgan MP, John Smith, recently presented Michael Grey, of Jewel Street, Barry, South Wales with two Veteran’s badges – one for service in the Merchant Navy and the other for his service in the RAF. John Smith said: “It is the first time that I have presented a Vale Veteran with a Seafarer’s badge and an Armed Forces Veteran’s badge. “I was delighted to be able to thank Mr Grey for his service to the country.”

[Administrator]

Merchant Navy Day 2010

The annual Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service and Reunion at Trinity Square Gardens, Tower Hill, London is to be held on Sunday 5th September 2010. This year marks the 70th aniversary of the tragic loss of life sustained in Britain's worst ever maritime disaster, The sinking of HMS Lancastria on 17th June 1940.

In Memory of Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

The sea is their grave, no headstone to mark their passing.

The British Merchant Navy - they also served!

Lest We Forget

The Merchant Navy played a crucial role in both world wars. Not only did it transport vital supplies and personnel but many ships were converted for war work. Some were armed, others carried out tasks such as minesweeping.

Etched in stone and granite the names of our fallen are passed by each day, seen by many, remembered by a few.

'Say not in grief 'he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was' (Hebrew proverb)

Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten".