Post by ADMIN K on Nov 25, 2015 1:53:14 GMT
Barry and District News report:
Friday 1st December 1939
Tragedy on the high Seas
Barry Victim
News has reached Barry of the death on Saturday of Captain James Edward Luen, who was
washed overboard from his ship off the coast of Nova Scotia. Captain “Jim” Luen as he was
known to his large circle of friends in Barry, was the fourth son of Mrs. R. Luen of the cold
Knap hotel, Barry and was a native of the town. Attended high street school before going to sea
at an early age. During the last war he served for the duration with the Dover Patrol.
A keen artist, captain Leun held during 1937-1938 an exhibition of his work in the county hall,
London. He was also the author of several books.
During the last voyage he saved the lives of two people, by performing an operation of the
wireless instructions of a doctor in another ship.
He married in Sydney, Australia. Miss Violet Makepeace, fourth daughter of Mr. C. A.
Makepeace, J P of Harbour Road, Barry and is survived by his widow and two daughters. The
little missus Mary and June Leun, his mother Mrs. R. Leun and brothers. Merss Clive, Dudley,
Brindley and Sidney Leun and Mrs. W. Herbert, Mrs. Davey and Mrs. N. Owen (sisters).
Apparently a young Jim Luen, walked out of school one day and was not heard of for two years
until he came of a ship in Cardiff. Like so many had made what was known as a pier head jump.
NB: SS Harlingen was sunk just under two years later by U-75 on 5th August 1941.
EXAMINATION ON OATH.
Relating to the death of James Edward Luen on the Harlingen
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 occasion
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 unconscious. 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 the 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 undoubtedly lost
by now. I’m 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
Friday 1st December 1939
Tragedy on the high Seas
Barry Victim
News has reached Barry of the death on Saturday of Captain James Edward Luen, who was
washed overboard from his ship off the coast of Nova Scotia. Captain “Jim” Luen as he was
known to his large circle of friends in Barry, was the fourth son of Mrs. R. Luen of the cold
Knap hotel, Barry and was a native of the town. Attended high street school before going to sea
at an early age. During the last war he served for the duration with the Dover Patrol.
A keen artist, captain Leun held during 1937-1938 an exhibition of his work in the county hall,
London. He was also the author of several books.
During the last voyage he saved the lives of two people, by performing an operation of the
wireless instructions of a doctor in another ship.
He married in Sydney, Australia. Miss Violet Makepeace, fourth daughter of Mr. C. A.
Makepeace, J P of Harbour Road, Barry and is survived by his widow and two daughters. The
little missus Mary and June Leun, his mother Mrs. R. Leun and brothers. Merss Clive, Dudley,
Brindley and Sidney Leun and Mrs. W. Herbert, Mrs. Davey and Mrs. N. Owen (sisters).
Apparently a young Jim Luen, walked out of school one day and was not heard of for two years
until he came of a ship in Cardiff. Like so many had made what was known as a pier head jump.
NB: SS Harlingen was sunk just under two years later by U-75 on 5th August 1941.
EXAMINATION ON OATH.
Relating to the death of James Edward Luen on the Harlingen
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 occasion
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 unconscious. 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 the 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 undoubtedly lost
by now. I’m 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