Post by KG on Jan 3, 2011 21:57:34 GMT
Built as PS Barry, renamed Waverley, then HMS Barryfield (WWI), back to Barry, then Waverley II, her demise in 1941 (WWII) saw her in the guise of HMS Snaefell.
Service Years 1907 – 1941 public and wartime saw the paddler built for and named after the town of Barry, Wales conduct many peacetime pleasure and war time heroic trips. Bristol Channel to the Dardanelles.
The ship wreck of HMS Snaefell recently discovered by divers off the North East coast near Whitley Bay - was one of the last minesweepers to bring troops out of Dunkirk and was bombed in 1941.
Remembered in a poem by Joe Earl in 2007 to remember Barry’s centenary and an update in 2010 to recall her part played at Dunkirk: 70 years on, she has been discovered in time for her commemoration in 2011 sixty nine years later in time for the 70th year anniversary of her loss.
Sadly also now a war grave as souls were lost. Sadly a horrific yet heroic tale of a paddler built to give pleasure yet sadly forced to engage in warfare. If blood was the price, both they and she paid in full.
Remembering PS Barry 2011 and all good men, masters and ships that remain with the deep.
www.itv.com/daybreak/news/hmssnaefellwreckfind/
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/10/01/divers-discover-long-lost-wreck-hms-snaefell-72703-27379859/
Captain Joe Earl has kindly penned another fitting tribute:
H.M.S . SNAEFEL
(Previously named PS. Barry also PS. Waverley)
Launched 1907, Sunk 1941 Rediscovered 2010, Remembered 2011.
There was a team of divers that found a sunken wreck,
Eight miles away from Sunderland on the North Sea deck,
It was the sweeper Snaefell - all trace lost `till now,
Since bombed and sunk in `forty one by damage to her bow
She was launched as P.S. Barry when built so long ago,
A well-loved paddle steamer scheduled to and fro,
Her glossy shining paintwork was red and pearly white,
Her bunting and the ensign on halyards whipping tight
She gave so many people a time of bracing pleasure,
Merrymaking passengers enjoying days to treasure,
Registered in South Wales in her early years,
Calling at the channel ports to cheering from the piers.
Outstanding in the Great War for aquatic chores,
Transporting at Gallipoli many men and stores,
Dodging mines and shells in the Dardanelles campaign,
Earned this speedy lady everlasting fame.
Later on in `twenty six she steamed our southern climes,
Sailing out of Brighton and Hastings many times,
There she was the Waverly - famous just the same,
`Till the second war arrived and changed her name again.
She then became the Snaefell minesweeping for the navy,
Paintwork now a drab grey and daubed a sort of wavy,
When called again she answered, with urgent crucial work,
Withdrawing many troops from the beaches at Dunkirk.
True, our hardy mariners steered her through the rough,
Kept the old girl going, when the going was so tough,
Like other paddle steamers that thrust ahead with pride,
A mortal wound, her time was up - she crossed the bar and died
Her paddles rest in mud and murk but once stirred up the foam,
Her binnacle of dented brass no more a compass home,
Her long sharp bow is mangled iron - the engine-room a tomb,
Alas the fate of Snaefell, when a German bomb went `boom`.
J.S.EARL 2010
Service Years 1907 – 1941 public and wartime saw the paddler built for and named after the town of Barry, Wales conduct many peacetime pleasure and war time heroic trips. Bristol Channel to the Dardanelles.
The ship wreck of HMS Snaefell recently discovered by divers off the North East coast near Whitley Bay - was one of the last minesweepers to bring troops out of Dunkirk and was bombed in 1941.
Remembered in a poem by Joe Earl in 2007 to remember Barry’s centenary and an update in 2010 to recall her part played at Dunkirk: 70 years on, she has been discovered in time for her commemoration in 2011 sixty nine years later in time for the 70th year anniversary of her loss.
Sadly also now a war grave as souls were lost. Sadly a horrific yet heroic tale of a paddler built to give pleasure yet sadly forced to engage in warfare. If blood was the price, both they and she paid in full.
Remembering PS Barry 2011 and all good men, masters and ships that remain with the deep.
www.itv.com/daybreak/news/hmssnaefellwreckfind/
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/10/01/divers-discover-long-lost-wreck-hms-snaefell-72703-27379859/
Captain Joe Earl has kindly penned another fitting tribute:
H.M.S . SNAEFEL
(Previously named PS. Barry also PS. Waverley)
Launched 1907, Sunk 1941 Rediscovered 2010, Remembered 2011.
There was a team of divers that found a sunken wreck,
Eight miles away from Sunderland on the North Sea deck,
It was the sweeper Snaefell - all trace lost `till now,
Since bombed and sunk in `forty one by damage to her bow
She was launched as P.S. Barry when built so long ago,
A well-loved paddle steamer scheduled to and fro,
Her glossy shining paintwork was red and pearly white,
Her bunting and the ensign on halyards whipping tight
She gave so many people a time of bracing pleasure,
Merrymaking passengers enjoying days to treasure,
Registered in South Wales in her early years,
Calling at the channel ports to cheering from the piers.
Outstanding in the Great War for aquatic chores,
Transporting at Gallipoli many men and stores,
Dodging mines and shells in the Dardanelles campaign,
Earned this speedy lady everlasting fame.
Later on in `twenty six she steamed our southern climes,
Sailing out of Brighton and Hastings many times,
There she was the Waverly - famous just the same,
`Till the second war arrived and changed her name again.
She then became the Snaefell minesweeping for the navy,
Paintwork now a drab grey and daubed a sort of wavy,
When called again she answered, with urgent crucial work,
Withdrawing many troops from the beaches at Dunkirk.
True, our hardy mariners steered her through the rough,
Kept the old girl going, when the going was so tough,
Like other paddle steamers that thrust ahead with pride,
A mortal wound, her time was up - she crossed the bar and died
Her paddles rest in mud and murk but once stirred up the foam,
Her binnacle of dented brass no more a compass home,
Her long sharp bow is mangled iron - the engine-room a tomb,
Alas the fate of Snaefell, when a German bomb went `boom`.
J.S.EARL 2010