Post by Administrator on Aug 4, 2018 19:30:55 GMT
Hospital ship sinking that shocked the nation remembered 100 years on.
His Majesty's Australian Transport (HMAT) Warilda was transporting hundreds of wounded soldiers from the French port of Le Havre to Southampton when, despite being clearly marked with the Red Cross, it was struck by a single torpedo from a German U-boat.
Upon impact the ship’s starboard propeller was disabled, the engine room flooded and the steering gear obliterated. Unable to steer, the Warilda continued moving in a circle at 15 knots – making it difficult for those on board to escape in lifeboats.
The ship remained afloat for almost two hours before sinking into the channel.
Survivors were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Netley and the Jellicoe Sailors’ Rest, which was based in Washington Terrace (now Orchard Lane) and run by Southampton-based maritime charity Sailors’ Society.
LINK
Sailors' Society Update.
Today marks the centenary of the sinking of the hospital ship HMAT Warilda in the English Channel.
We lowered our flag to remember the 123 lives lost.
Among the lost was Violet Long OBE, the Deputy Chief Controller of the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corp (QMAAC). Violet was the last woman to leave the stricken ship, having made sure the QMAAC staff in her care were safely off.
Survivors were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley and our Jellicoe Sailors' Rest.
Thanks to Lieutenant Mark Rooke RN from HMS Sultan for playing the Last Post and Reveille on the bugle at the event.
Sailors' Society
His Majesty's Australian Transport (HMAT) Warilda was transporting hundreds of wounded soldiers from the French port of Le Havre to Southampton when, despite being clearly marked with the Red Cross, it was struck by a single torpedo from a German U-boat.
Upon impact the ship’s starboard propeller was disabled, the engine room flooded and the steering gear obliterated. Unable to steer, the Warilda continued moving in a circle at 15 knots – making it difficult for those on board to escape in lifeboats.
The ship remained afloat for almost two hours before sinking into the channel.
Survivors were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Netley and the Jellicoe Sailors’ Rest, which was based in Washington Terrace (now Orchard Lane) and run by Southampton-based maritime charity Sailors’ Society.
LINK
Sailors' Society Update.
Today marks the centenary of the sinking of the hospital ship HMAT Warilda in the English Channel.
We lowered our flag to remember the 123 lives lost.
Among the lost was Violet Long OBE, the Deputy Chief Controller of the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corp (QMAAC). Violet was the last woman to leave the stricken ship, having made sure the QMAAC staff in her care were safely off.
Survivors were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley and our Jellicoe Sailors' Rest.
Thanks to Lieutenant Mark Rooke RN from HMS Sultan for playing the Last Post and Reveille on the bugle at the event.
Sailors' Society