SS Trevessa

[bumble]

Browsing the net ( on my phone - I'm no techie ) I saw mention of a poem by Joe Earl about the Trevessa. My great-uncle Harry Sparks was on board and later died in one of the lifeboats,he was only 19 and is remembered in a memorial window in the church at Lelant near St. Ives. Can anyone tell me where I can find a copy of the poem please ?

[Keith Greenway]

Please e.mail me at: [e-mail] for full information that we have researched. The poem will then also be forwarded, we would be pleased to recieve any details / pictures etc for our tribute.

We are in contact with a relative of Trevessa's Captain and further hope to arrange a Church Service in Barry, South Wales in Remembrance of Trevessa's Captain, Crew and relatives / loved ones for next years date of the Trevessa's loss.

We have recently aquired photographs of the Red Ensign from Trevessa rescued by a young apprentice fron Barry and would like to recieve further details of the Church and stained glass window, together with any info on your relative etc.

We have collected much info on Trevessa etc and would be pleased to both add anything that you can furnish us with and also both share and forward all to you.

I hope to feature the poem and more soon on our main pages, We have been trying to decide on the presentation first and will feature all in the near future.

Look forward to hearing from you. Keith at Tregenna.

[Keith at Tregenna]

With no wind the men had to row, which aggravated not only their swollen hands and feet but also their bodies, which were suffering from extensive salt-water boils. It was only by perfect discipline and obedience to the Captain's orders that on the 23rd day one boat landed on the island of Rodriguez and three days later the second boat landed at Bel-Ombre, Mauritius and a total of 34 men survived.

On the second boat the engineer had fallen overboard during rough weather and another crewman died two hours before land was sighted. The survivors in this boat were so exhausted they had to be carried ashore, and the chief cook died soon after arrival.

In Lelant church near the font is a stained glass window of St Christopher dedicated to the memory of Harry Sparks, who perished on 23rd June, 1923, after the wreck of the S.S.Trevessa in the Indian Ocean.

A monument to the crew of "Trevessa" was erected on Bel-Ombre and on the anniversary of their landing on Mauritius "Trevessa Day" was celebrated which has now become "The Seafarers Day"

[Dr Patrick Flynn]

Hi bumble

My father Ralph William Flynn was an Apprentice on the Trevessa when it sank in 1923. The other Apprentices were Douglas James Bell, Charles Seaborn, Eric W T Goddard and your great-uncle Henry E Sparks. My wife is a relative of the Trevessa's Wireless Operator Donald Lamont. I am in touch with Donald's family and the families of the other Apprentices. My email address is [e-mail].

I came across your posting when I was looking for some recent information on the Trevessa and would be interested to hear from you.

Patrick

[kEITH AT TREGENNA]

Sir, will e.mail Anne Birrell (bumble) tonight and advise her of your posting, we at Tregenna would also like to contact you regarding our research and tribute. Weare also in contact with a relative of Captain Fowler whom I am certain would like to contact you and a gent originally from St. Ives that has conducted much research re: Trevessa. Keith.

[KG]

RE: Barry and District News.
Honouring Barry's great and good
8:10am Friday 30th January 2009

PRIDE in Barry is launching a Blue Plaque Scheme based on the famous London Blue Plaque scheme run by English Heritage – and they need the help of Barrians to nominate people they think are deserving of the honour.

There are many people born in Barry, educated in Barry or who have lived in Barry, who have achieved pre-eminence in their careers or who have made a significant contribution to the good of their fellow citizens, but who are relatively unknown in the town.

To try to remedy this, it is proposed to erect a specially designed blue plaque on the house where they lived or where they worked.

The qualifying criteria are as follows:

Must have been born in Barry, educated in Barry or at least spent a significant part of their lives in Barry

Must not still be living

Must be people of distinction who are regarded as eminent by their peers, whether academic, political, sporting or other, and of whom Barry can be proud.

A small selection panel of highly reputable and independently minded people is being set up. This panel will consider all nominations and make recommendations to Pride in Barry of the names to be honoured in the first group of, hopefully, 10 or 12 plaques.

The first members of this panel are Professor Deirdre Beddoe, Professor Dai Smith, and Professor Peter Stead.

The general public are invited to submit names for consideration by the panel. If you know of anyone sufficiently distinguished in any field to justify being considered for this high honour, contact Gareth Howe on 01446 735125 or email [e-mail] for a nomination form.

You will need to give reasons for your choice and a suitable address in Barry for the suggested recipient.

Our response:

To: Gareth Howe RE: Honouring Barry's great and good
Captain Cecil Patrick Thomas Foster – SS. Trevessa
Dear sir,

Following our telephone conversation of today regarding the proposed Blue Plaque Scheme and our nomination of (Master Mariner) Captain Cecil Foster, I contact you with the further details requested.

I believe this good man to be deserving of the honour and further hope that Barry will remember him. Although, now relatively unknown in the town outside of maritime circles, Captain Foster was in his time world famous, his obituary was recorded as far around the globe as New Zealand.

I have recently located the shared grave of both CECIL FOSTER and his wife MINNIE FOSTER. Cecil passed away on August 8th 1930 aged 43 years. Minnie Foster died on April 14th 1982 aged 98. The couple are buried at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery.

The family home was 1, East View Terrace, Barry. The details of both Home address and final resting place have been confirmed by the Glamorgan Archives and also Barry Town Council.

I believe and hope that you may also find, that Captain Foster is worthy of such recognition and meets the qualifying criteria. I can provide much information on both the Trevessa’s demise and information received from both relatives of the captain, crew that survived and from a relation of one that was sadly lost.

The ordeal that the good captain and his crew undertook following the loss of the SS. Trevessa was recorded in the news and media world wide. I am certain Barry Press archives will be found during ongoing research. Much has been found thus far including reports from the Government of the day.

Fortunately, the ordeal and the life saving decisions made by Mr. Foster have been widely recorded and is easily found in a internet / google search. Many lives at the time were saved through the seamanship, experiences and judgement etc of Trevessa’s master. The life saving continued and continues from this event.

Virtually since and arising from Trevessa’s loss the decision was taken to fit radio communication to all ships and also lifeboats: On recommendation lifeboats also carry condensed milk along with other items as necessity. The actions and decisions made by Captain Foster would go on to save many lives through world war two and other conflicts, continuing to this day and in to the future.

There are many Merchant Seamen’s names in the Merchant Navy Roll of Honour and we shall remember them, I do not attempt to single one out for commemoration, they were all brave men. However, Captain Foster survived World War 1 and Trevessa was lost between wars. His name does not appear amongst the many and although he is remembered by those that care, he is unknown or forgotten to most.

His name will not be seen carved in granite along with the fallen, yet this man achieved pre-eminence in his career, he made a significant contribution to the good of others. He is at rest in Barry. His only monument an un-kept grave.

He spent a significant part of his life in Barry and is someone whom Barry can be proud and is sufficiently distinguished in his field to justify being considered for this high honour,

Additional support data also sent.

Please send mail in support to : [e-mail]

[KG]

Working with a relative we have recently located the shared grave of both CECIL FOSTER and his wife MINNIE FOSTER. Cecil passed away on August 8th 1930 aged 43 years. Minnie Foster died on April 14th 1982 aged 98. I was surprised to find that couple are buried at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery, Barry, South Wales - the main cemetery in my home town.

The family home was in East View Terrace, Barry. The details of both home address and final resting place have been confirmed by the Glamorgan Archives and also Barry Town Council.

Master Mariner, Captain Cecil Foster, remains virtually forgotten until now, relatively unknown in the town outside of maritime circles, Captain Foster was in his time world famous and his obituary was recorded as far around the globe as New Zealand.
The S.S. Trevessa: Was a Steel steamer, (5004 tons). Built at Flensburg in Germany as the German ship Imkenturm in 1909, she was taken over by Great Britain at the close of World War 1. When lost, she was owned by the Hain Steamship Company.

In May 1923 after discharging in Melbourne and Sydney, the S.S. Trevessa of St. Ives bunkered at Fremantle. Captain Foster and his ship Trevessa, left Fremantle on 25 May 1923 for British and Belgian ports carrying a cargo of zinc concentrates; She foundered on 3rd June 1923 and sank in the Indian Ocean during rough weather.

The 44 crew members scrambled into two lifeboats, some with very little clothing on, and the Captain: Cecil Foster decided to endeavour to make for Mauritius some 2,000 miles away. With no compass and only enough water for 7 pints per man, 550 biscuits and two cases of condensed milk they were immediately put on strict rations. With no wind the men had to row which aggravated not only their swollen hands and feet but also their bodies which were suffering from extensive salt water boils. It was only by perfect discipline and obedience to the Captain's orders that they stuck together and on the 23rd day one boat landed on the island of Rodriguez. After becoming separated, the second boat landed at Bel-Ombre, Mauritius, and a total of 34 men had survived.

The other boat however had experienced a tragic passage. Water ran short and despite repeated warnings, four Indian members of the crew drank sea water and died. The second engineer fell overboard during rough weather, and another crewman died two hours before land was sighted. This boat missed Rodriguez Island and sighted Mauritius on 28 June. The survivors were so exhausted by this time they had to be carried ashore, and the chief cook died soon after arrival. The good captain was later received by the king at Buckingham Palace.
The headstone reads: In loving memory of CECIL FOSTER, Master SS. Trevessa. Dearly beloved husband of MINNIE FOSTER, who passed away August 8th 1930 aged 43 years. Also the above MINNIE FOSTER DIED APRIL 14TH 1982 AGED 98. Also of FANNY RICHARDS Who passed away MARCH 8th 1932 aged 74 years. Also of JOHN RICHARDS, who was lost at sea December 4th 1947 aged 56 years.

Minnie was a Richards before her marriage and looking at the 1901 census her father is listed as John Richards, mother as Fanny, aged 43, a brother Francis aged 16 and Minnie aged 17. There is also a nephew, John, a widower, living with them aged 30. We request all possible information especially on the John mentioned on the grave. This JOHN RICHARDS, who was lost at sea December 4th 1947 aged 56 years, could not have been the father of Minnie or the John living with them.

We attempt to have some repair work carried out on the grave at some stage and hope to help Barry Remember one of her own Master Mariners, all crew members and family.

We remember Captain Cecil Patrick Thomas Foster and the loss of SS. Trevessa - and the ordeal of 1,700 miles in open boats.

[kiwiscottish]

Hi the sos was sent by my grandfather wireless operator of the s s trevessa donald james lamont whom was one of the surviors dad still has stuff grandad had on him when the lifeboat washed up, boarding pass and a few other small things, he was on the captains life boat, , he moved to nz and died 1983,my 80 year old father will have some original photos and any info anyone wants about the trevessa email me if anyone has any questions.
dad also has his diary and lots of stuff grandad wrote about the trevessa he was going to publish a book also but died 1983.

he moved to nz after the war

[kEITH AT TREGENNA]

Welcome on board: Will hopefuly e.mail you tonight. K.

[KG]

Thames Star, March 21, 1978

Page 12.

A SEAFARING FATHER AND SONS

Thirty-five years separate the shipwreck experiences of a Thames man and his son — both radio operators.

Mr. Don Lamont Snr took part in an incredibly long open boat voyage and his son Alfred was described as the hero in another drama in the same area.

Mr. Lamont Senior was a wire¬less operator on the S.S. Trevessa when she sunk in the Indian Ocean in 1923.

He was then involved in what was described as the longest journey — over 1700 miles In 23 days — in an op¬en boat since Captain Bligh's mutiny of the Bounty.

HERO OF THE DAY

Alf Lamont was labeled the hero of the day when the Forresbank caught fire off the coast of Pondoland near Durban, South Africa, on November, 1958.

Survivors landed at Durban and told how Alf stayed at his post sending out dis¬tress messages until flames licked through his radio room, engulfed his equipment and scorched his arms.

The Lamont family is a seafaring one - all Mr. Lamont's sons have worked in either a Merchant or a Royal navy.

Mr. Lamont and son Don Lamont Jnr, who also lives in Thames, both worked their way out to New Zealand in 1957 — on different ships.

ONLY VOYAGE

Mr. Lamont Snr's only voyage after the sinking of the Trevessa was that out to New Zealand.

When the Trevessa was sinking Mr. Lamont sent out the SOS for two hours but the nearest ship 800 miles distant was too far away.

Mr. Lamont was one of the last off and experienced dif¬ficulties keeping the lifeboat from becoming tangled in the bulwark of the ship.

The search for the men continued for two weeks before being given up and then the survivors turned up two weeks after that . . .

SURVlVORS

The captain of one of the ships searching for survivors later met up with Mr. Lamont.

He had just signed on to another vessel for the trip to New Zealand when he and son Don met the skipper involved.

After talking to the captain Mr. Lamont Jnr was given a job on the trip to New Zea¬land as a supernumerary deck head being paid a shilling a month.

The two ships carrying father and son passed each other several times on the way out and the pair were in radio contact across the pacific.

FIRST SHIP AT 18

Mr Lamont was born in 1893 and joined his first ship in 1917.

He served at sea until the sinking of the Trevessa. After a month’s sick leave he joined the Marconi Co. where he served 39 years until coming to New Zealand.

During the war he served with the Third Glasgow Batallion, Home Guard and later with the Gordon’s Home Guard Batallion until 1956.

After arriving in New Zealand he worked as a technician in the radio workshop at the Devonport Naval Base until retiring to Thames in 1972.

REUNION 1978

Earlier this year (1978) two of the three survivors of the Trevessa ordeal still living met in Auckland.

They met after Charles Seaborn of London, who was going on a world cruise, advertised in an attempt to trace fellow survivors.

Nine men died on Mr. Seaborn’s boat and two on Mr Lamont’s. One man fell overboard as he was hanging up his clothes to dry.

Except for a sextant the survivors had no navigating equipment and could only take rough readings.

[Mauritius shipman]

You may all be interested to know that a new seafarers home was built in port louis mauritius and has been named Trevessa House in memory of all those on board .

[Administrator]

I cannot thank you enough for posting this, I was not aware and will seek more on this ASAP. K

[Administrator]

I will update as I find out more K.

Trevessa House Seafarers' Centre
Hostel
Mer Rouge, Port Louis,

First Link:

[khTasmania]

I'm researching family history, my late father was adopted and his birth father was Charlie Bainbridge. Any information on the Charlie Bainbridge who survived the Trevessa would be helpful. I've read that some seamen were signed up in Australia for the ship and wonder if there is a connection.
Thanks,
Karyn

[Administrator]

Sorry have been fairly busy of late, but will help if possible. K