Post by Administrator on Sept 17, 2019 8:53:17 GMT
Councils flew the RED ENSIGN / flag for Merchant Navy Day 2019
While many people know that 3 September 1939 marked the outbreak of the Second World War, few are aware that it also marks the first major British maritime casualty. The merchant vessel SS Athenia torpedoed just a few hours after hostilities were declared, with the loss of 128 passengers and crew.
The 3 September is now enshrined as ‘Merchant Navy Day’ to honour the brave men and women who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars, and even during peacetime faced – and continue to face – the more routine perils of violent storms and mountainous seas.
“As an ‘Island Nation’ we depend on our seafarers to defend our shores, trade with other countries and import essential fuel and food. The job of the seafarer is therefore vital, but also demanding and hazardous. It has been an honour to fly the flag of the Merchant Navy to mark this important day.”
“It could not have been achieved without them”!
While many people know that 3 September 1939 marked the outbreak of the Second World War, few are aware that it also marks the first major British maritime casualty. The merchant vessel SS Athenia torpedoed just a few hours after hostilities were declared, with the loss of 128 passengers and crew.
The 3 September is now enshrined as ‘Merchant Navy Day’ to honour the brave men and women who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars, and even during peacetime faced – and continue to face – the more routine perils of violent storms and mountainous seas.
“As an ‘Island Nation’ we depend on our seafarers to defend our shores, trade with other countries and import essential fuel and food. The job of the seafarer is therefore vital, but also demanding and hazardous. It has been an honour to fly the flag of the Merchant Navy to mark this important day.”
“It could not have been achieved without them”!