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Post by KG on Jul 4, 2009 8:28:40 GMT
The " Trevessa.
Can one depict this epic of the seas,
Drawing true measure and attributes of men
Who faced the maddening dangers of those days
In Southern Ocean's lone profundity ?
Inspiration's guide doth halt, and pause
To choose the language adequate for deeds
That link man's being to an ideal world,
Glimpsed in the imagery of flawless dreams.
On earth, where errant ways besmirch our lives, —
Great acts of suffering lift to higher planes,
And gird us with those priceless, pure delights
That follow in the wake of danger braved.
*****
Late in the month of May the ship Trevessa,
Bound from Australia's coast to Europe's shores,
A few days out from ports of Southern Cross,
Made goodly passage o'er the Indian seas, —
That Ocean swept by swiftly-raging storms,
Where peace oft lulls to false security,
And the pent energy of glassy calms
Leaps into violence in search of prey ;
Where black and lurid clouds outburst in rains,
O'erwhelming giant ships with fatal ease,
As if in vicious spite 'gainst feeble man,
—The toy and plaything of a jealous sea.
*****
At midnight on the third of June, the ship
Suddenly made water with alarming speed ;
She settled by the head ; the ship was doomed !
It was no time to talk—'twas theirs to act!
Obedient to the Captain's cool commands,
Two boats were launched—loaded with human freight
And all such edibles as could be stowed,
Together with a gathering of gear —
A jumble of the spares that lay at hand,
And steering clear of suction's fatal draught
They saw the ship, head foremost, take a dive
Two thousand fathoms to the Ocean's bed !
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Post by KG on Jul 4, 2009 8:31:07 GMT
THE FIRST DAY AND AFTER.
AND then began a faring of the main,
To which our Island seacraft has no peer, —
An agonising fight 'gainst gambling odds,
Where all the elements of force conspire
To wreak destruction undiscriminate.
They knew their plight—yet all were unafraid.
And on that day they lay-to—simply waiting,
—Waiting for aid that reached the scene too late,
At five o'clock they hoisted sail and left,
—The twain in company—a trial trip for life, —
A voyage fraught with terrors, hardships, death !
Two thousand miles across a wilderness.
If one survived and told the miracle
All the wide world would know that British pluck
Had not forsook the craft that made us great.
Threatened at once ! A mast-step—insecure—
Tore from its hold and sent them far adrift, —
An insect in the clutch of monster waves ;
And then, in tow, the line gave way to strain,
Placing the captain's boat once more adrift.
In spite of navigating skill the twins, —
Swept by o'erleaping seas and drenching spray
Failed to maintain desired companionship;
The faster vessel, spreading greater sail,
Left her slow sister many knots astern
Or sailed around her in a circling course;
By day 'twas possible to keep in view, —
Just shortening sail and drifting for a while,
But at the moonset, in the black of night,
Manoeuvring the craft in close proximity
Endangered both—harried and hindered each,
And store of food and drink pressed on the thought ;
Necessity decreed a separation.
And so ensued a parting of the ways
They settled on a course that both pursued
Engaging to report if either hailed a ship.
No echo centred round those parting cheers,
No ear—save that of God—received the sound,
And then the faster boat sailed out of sight,
—The twain were parted—would they re-unite ?
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Post by KG on Jul 4, 2009 8:34:15 GMT
THE CAPTAIN'S BOAT.
THE quicker craft sped on the course untied,
Hoping to hail a ship in South East Trade
But still the elements forbade advance,
— The fickle wind just died away to calm
And left them in the guise of castaways
Precarious fate hung threatening in these hours ;
The strain on mind and body made its mark,
The daily ration — biscuit, water, milk
— Just the mean minim of essential life —
Turned to a nauseate foulness in the mouth,
Breeding distemper and excited thought.
But still good humour ruled their rising blood,
And kept aloft the hope that never fails
Now came the time of test — the dangerous time
When men break into language violent,
And lose their patience under maddening trials.
But tact and progress conquered wordy threats ;
The skilful Captain, ordering out the oars,
Gave healthy, vigorous work to men each side ;
The change supplied the needful antidote,
And gave the crew a lively, sporting turn,
And humorous ditties from the foc'sle muse,
Moved all their hardening features into smiles,
With hopes of rescue from a passing ship.
Tis in such devious exploits of the sea,
When men hang hourly on the edge of life,
That mind will sometimes turn in dour despair,
Losing its balance in depressing doubts.
Lest, under strain, they perish in the end.
Before them lay the seas — to them uncharted,
— Where latitudes and longtitudes were guessed :
Their only guides high heaven's fitful light.?,
The risen sun — the moon — stars o 'nights, —
As in those days ere Science schemed a plan
To mark direction with the flight of Time.
What if a mass cf scowling, scurrying cloud
Obscured all vision of these luminants ?
Sailing on moonless nights intensified
The hidden risk and perils of a course
In which the helm was slave to vagrant winds.
Torrential rains had ceased ; drought supervened,
And store of water ran toward the end,
Stern conservation thus was paramount;
A stage of feverish thirst inflamed the crew
And glaring eyes denoted punishment.
At last a bursting squall dispensed its boon
And deluged all in sight with drenching spray ;
What tho' 'twas tainted by a bitter spume ?
It served to allay the burning throats of men
Now passing thorugh the ordeal of a hell,
The like of which no misdeed could deserve.
And their dumb thoughts gave thanks for this harsh drink!
Crude were the schemes devised to catch the rains
And improvise containers for reserves,
Meanwhile, a good sou'-wester filled the sail
Driving the tardy bark at gaining speed ;
Then the wind veered and in a south-east squall
She danced quite sulky under naked poles.
And so the days rolled on in dreary turns,
Sometimes the sail full-bellied in the breeze,
The craft surmounting proudly every wave,
And running a true course at racing pace,
Then hoisted, at the mercy of a squall,
Upon the ridges of most haughty seas,
Or drenched in troughs by avalanching spray,
—The men o' nights in soaked and chilling clothes,
Sleepless, yet watchful, weak and overwrought,
For love of dear life they murmured not—but fought,
And, giving loyal obedience, stared at Death !
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Post by KG on Jul 4, 2009 8:36:47 GMT
DEATH
On the seventeenth day died Jacob Ali,
An Arab fireman, sable-skinned and spare,
—No more to urge the slice 'mid glaring heat,
Or cleanse the clotted clinker from the bars,
The rake and shovel ne'er to use again.
Nor will life's pricker stir that breathless flesh ;
His fire is out; his body cold in death.
They could not weep—the threat of Ali's doom
tGazed at them with a fixity so cruel
That sent them searching in each other's eyes,
And from that moment all men understood !
On the next morning fireman Naji died,
Another Arab shipmate of the crew ;
No funeral rite ; no bookwords for the dead. —
If prayer at all—'twas voiceless in the void
And heard in silence by the silent God.
At once they buried death and turned to life,
Urging their fragile craft in anxious haste.
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Post by KG on Jul 4, 2009 8:37:40 GMT
LAND IN SIGHT !
FIVE hundred miles from land ! Could it be reached ?
Still were they labouring in uncertainty;
By night and day they made but little way,
Defective gear and tackle caused delays,
And in the changing winds were hindrances.
On June the twenty-sixth came startling news, —
The carpenter spied land at fifteen miles !
Could it be true ? Yes, others saw it too.
Excited and o'ercome with frenzied joy
They raised a trembling cheer—a faint, weak cheer.
There was a steamship ! there a coastal light!
Just dropping sail they lay-to for the night.
How near is Death ! had they made for port,
Their end was certain on a tidal reef!
They landed at Rodriguez in the morn,
Safe in a haven after many days.
Cramp, wet and cold had left them useless legs,
But willing helpers galvanised the limbs.
And after sleep and nourishment they thought !
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Post by KG on Jul 4, 2009 8:40:34 GMT
THE CHIEF OFFICER'S BOAT.
Is not the record of the fearless Mate
Equal in every part to that already writ ?
His hard endurance, spirit, courage, skill
Mark him distinguished in the roll of men
Whose faith directs them to succesful ends.
Like Captain Foster—he essayed a task
Pregnant with dangers unpreventable,
And difficulties that banished sleep and rest.
He fought not for himself alone—the crew
Looked to his masterly and active mind,
As children seek the guidance of a home,
Suffering was theirs—hunger, parching thirst
And the dread nausea of meagre food.
The white man, given an amplitude of fat
Gathers much weight and lives contentedly ;
Denied it, all the sourness of his spleen
Gives a choleric colour to his thought;
Tis an accepted truth that sailors all
Are optimistic while on duty bent;
They think not of the morrow—just to-day
Tis living life ashore that enervates
Their virile health and jubilant content.
In spite of constant drawbacks on her way,
She lumped a laggard passage toward the land
Sickness and death were theirs—and accident
Swept to a watery grave young Mordecai;
So quick the heightened sea devoured his form
That rescue was a task beyond humanity.
Then the end came ; they sighted land at last
And anchored in the Cap du Baie, Mauritius,
Three hundred miles away from Rodriguez —
A real achievement o'er so vast a space.
BY ERNEST FORREST
CARDIFF.
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norn
New Member
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Post by norn on Aug 14, 2009 9:27:08 GMT
Captain Cecil Patrick Thomas Foster was my great-uncle. There was no mention that he had to appear before a Board of Trade Enquiry but was completely exhonerated. This, however, apparently broke him and he never sailed again and died at a relatively early age. It can't have been the Board of Trade Inquiry that broke him - as you say, he was completely exonerated and obviously treated like a hero. He does say in his book 1700 Miles in Open Boats that once the war was over he had been hoping he'd never be sitting freezing cold and wet in an open boat again, and certainly the privations he suffered might have wrecked his health. I'm really sorry to hear that he never went to sea again - he was a really remarkable seaman. |
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Post by KG on Aug 14, 2009 16:52:05 GMT
Sir, welcome onboard and thank you for your comments, both you and they are most welcome. We have located the good Captains grave and are both in discussion with all as need be in Barry, South Wales and now await further news on the proposed restoration and again possible memorial to all that have both "Crossed the Bar" and ever sailed the sea's via or from Barry and are not included on any memorial: Please, continue to look in or contact us direct:
RE: This, however, apparently broke him and he never sailed again and died at a relatively early age. I took this as the entire experience?
hernamewas.ss@googlemail.com
The Trevessa and her Masters actions then, still save's lives today.
Regards Keith.
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Post by KG on Mar 5, 2010 23:24:14 GMT
Part 3 of Her Name Was “Trevessa” THE MYSTERY MEN OF ROMILLY SCHOOL MEMORIAL www.barrywales.co.uk/drhicks/romillyschoolmemorial3.aspRE: Dr. Jonathan Hicks “There are several mystery men on this memorial. One is Arthur Phillips, who it appears from the inscription was a member of staff at the school. I have been unable to establish any further details on him. Reginald Dew, Henry Edwards, William Howells and Arthur Phillips do not appear on any records and may well be men who died in the years after the Armistice. These men also appear in the commemorative booklet produced for the two-day fete held in Romilly Park in 1927 to raise money for the building of the Memorial Hall. If any readers know who they are I should like to hear from them”. Second Lieutenant Arthur Phillips of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was killed in action at the age of 33 in April 1917, during the second battle of the Scarpe, the same action that claimed the life of Harold Hare. He was the son of a well know Bridgend carriage builder and before the war had been an assistant master at Romilly Road School in Barry, where he was a member of the hockey, cricket, and bowling clubs. He joined the Public Schools Battalion in 1914, and served as a corporal in France from 1915-16. He was commissioned as an officer and went back to the trenches. His captain described him as reliable and capable officer. In a letter to Arthur’s parents he also wrote that ‘we were attacking the German trenches and he was hit by a bullet almost immediately and died painlessly’. Arthur Phillips came from Acland Road, Bridgend, and his name is to be found on the Arras Memorial, Bay 6. www.flandersbattlefields.com/debtofhonour.htmlI came across this while researching a Merchant Seaman and “Barrian” of the same name, I cannot see now that this would be the same Arthur and hope the above information will be of use to the continuing work of Dr. Hicks. During earlier communication with a person in Barry South Wales with regard to the Paddle Steamer Barry Remembrance / project, report, poem and presentations etc, I was pleased that he could relay some information sought on the SS. Trevessa. We were due to present a copy and details of both Joe Earl’s poem and our research on to Barry Town Council. During talks was able to confirm details on a Merchant Seaman: Barry boy Arthur Phillips. Arthur was a young apprentice that was believed to have prior to the sinking and loss of the SS. Trevessa, retrieved the ship’s “Red Ensign”. On going research was meant to both reinforce and confirm the popular local tale of The Red Ensign from the Trevessa being saved from the sinking ship by Arthur Phillips. The ensign was apparently presented to St. Paul’s church, Barry by his late mother Dora Phillips. The ensign for many years believed for a long time to have been recovered from the Trevessa. Was there in good faith and in tribute.. Arthur was a Barrian, a Merchant Seaman, possibly a hero, previously a choir boy at St. Paul’s. His name should live forever more. Let those that come after him, remember him and all those lost. (Based on local belief ) As stated earlier Master Arthur Phillips was both remembered and associated with the SS. Trevessa. For much of this time few remembered an earlier ship of the same name. A long held belief is that he rescued an ensign. I make no attempt to disprove this, more to simply find out more. It is likely that he recieved the flag from an earlier ship. The Trevessa’s (2) Captain was a Barry resident and the tale of his epic voyage made worldwide news. It is possible that some confusion has taken place. Much more research and help would be needed to clarify all. Until then Arthur Phillips should remain associated with Trevessa (1) Arthur does not appear on the crew list at the time of the loss of Trevessa (2). He is also not mentioned in any news of survivors or those that were in open boats that made the journey of some 1700 miles. Hence, Arthur rescuing the flag of “Trevessa” cannot be correct.. It is well documented that he crewed with Trevessa (1) if there is an association it would be with the earlier ship. Many a Barry man had sailed with the Tre: ships of the Haines Company, Captain Foster lived on East View Terrace, It is quite likely that the two men at least knew each other. Arthur had joined Haines as an apprentice and did serve on a “Trevessa” amongst others of the fleet. Hence, again until more information is found, it can be taken that he may even have received the flag from Captain Foster as a momento of a Trevessa It is more likely that the mystery will never be solved, without further help. I believe the ensign of a Trevessa that hangs proudly in St. Pauls is both dedicated and part of an important part of the nautical history of Barry. Apparently it was normal for shipping companies to rename a ship with a previous vessels name when they suffered a loss or a ship was sold etc. Arthur Phillips did serve on TREVESSA (1). If I had to hazard a guess would assume that the ensign was made a gift to him as a souvenir when Haines sold the earlier same named ship to another company in South America. With little knowledge possibly at the time of the former ship being sold and the later foundering of Trevessa (2) and the epic voyage of her lifeboats becoming world news it is possible that the two tales become slightly mixed over time. Barrian, Master Mariner: Cecil Patrick Thomas Foster of Trevessa (2) was received by the king and queen of the day at Buckingham Palace and later wrote a book of the Trevessa’s foundering, in the captains own words Arthur was not mentioned as a crew member. Recently the grave of Captain Foster has been found at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery, Barry, this man born in Malta, raised in Kemnay, visitor too many countries and ports, a resident of and at rest in Barry was promised to be remembered, the awful state of the grave does not reflect remembrance. I would hope that Barry will remember and restore / refurbish the grave in honour of all that have sailed from Barry Dock, possibly with a memorial bench or plaque honouring those that will never appear on any other memorial. Recent calls for a Town Heritage Centre / museum are to be applauded and hopefully Barry one day will be able to include items such as this in a safe and secure building for her people. Her history should be displayed for all. Hopefully by then more research will enable the full histories and of the many and remember all. hernamewas.ss@googlemail.com |
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Post by KG on Apr 13, 2011 8:54:52 GMT
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Post by pumlumon on Jun 22, 2011 9:27:08 GMT
I've read the book. I'm also interested in the cargo. In the November of 1925, a small steam coaster named the SS.Sutton loaded with a cargo of lead and zinc concentrates from the reopened mines in Cardiganshire. The ship left Aberystwyth, bound for the smelters in Antwerp and sank off Aberporth later that evening when the cargo of zinc concentrates shifted!The Lead, which was jigged and thus coarser, did not cause a problem! All 10 persons aboard were lost in the accident and the BOT enquiry carefully looked at the problems of carrying zinc concentrates, obtained by froth flotation, as a marine cargo. This was a full 2 years after a similar cargo sank the Trevessa!!! The Sutton enquiry is available on line. The wreck is frequently dived by sub-aqua groups.
Peter
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Post by KG on Jun 24, 2011 10:09:42 GMT
Thanks for your post re: SS.Sutton etc, this is of much interest.
Hope you may look in again and add more, We could open a section for this ship if required. For now I will see what info I may find and post in reply.
Thanks K.
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Post by KG on Jun 24, 2011 16:07:01 GMT
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Post by p barker on May 1, 2012 16:10:58 GMT
I am the grandson of Mr Norman V Robson,Chief Engineer of the Trevessa.He is buried at Whitley Bay Northumberland.He returned to the sea for many years after the foundering of the Trevessa. He was awarded the OBE for his bravery during world war 11.
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Post by Administrator on May 2, 2012 22:03:59 GMT
Hello P. Barker,
RE: Your post:
I am the grandson of Mr Norman V Robson, Chief Engineer of the Trevessa. He is buried at Whitley Bay Northumberland. He returned to the sea for many years after the foundering of the Trevessa. He was awarded the OBE for his bravery during world war 11.
Sir, I cannot thank you enough, please e.mail me direct at: hernamewas.ss@googlemail.com
Regards,
Keith.
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