empress of canada sinking

The year 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland in the Gulf of of St. Lawrence. Empress of Canada sunk 13th March 2017 Les Late on 13th March 1943, Canadian Pacific’s Empress of Canada was hit on the starboard side by a torpedo from the Italian submarine Leonardo da Vinci, and quickly developed a list and lost all power. physician Vittorio Del Vecchio. Resource) was being repaired in Durban. He was one of the troops returning on leave, to England because his own ship was being repaired in Durban. After the war she went to medical school and never stopped being useful. When they had to abandon ship he said it was like jumping off a 3 story building into the sea full of oil and wreckage. I have no idea regarding specifics but would be grateful if anyone by any chance knew any details about him. Hi Sophie. My father was HMS Crocus one of the three royal navy ships to respond to the mayday call. Many thanks, Sophie. I often think that it could ONLY be the sea that constitutes a sufficiently fitting memorial for so many lost, so young, including Bombardier Kerr-Taylor. Just as well because he was chased by a shark and managed to escape by climbing onto some of the wreckage, some days later he came across a rubber dingy full of survivors, he had to hold onto the rope around the dingy as there was no room for him as well, until somebody died and was put over the side. It is Canada’s worst maritime disaster, yet few Canadians have heard of it. My Father was Flight Sergeant L.E.Mckie. Within an … he also hated water. The story of The Empress of Ireland, also known as “Canada’s Titanic,” is not nearly as well known as it should be. Within an hour another torpedo hit and she sank soon after, some 400 miles south of Cape Palmas. Contact us today for a quote! As he was not wearing a life jacket it allowed him to swim unheaded. He suffered shark bites which pained him all his life. Was you relative a military passenger or crew member? he told about sharks and barracudas. Have discovered that a relative died on this ship in 1940 at the beginning of WW2. 1 degree 13 seconds South & 9degrees 46 seconds west .I have a google earth map - how do I post? In peacetime she had operated on the trans-Pacific route for Canadian Pacific, based at Vancouver, as well as running a number of very successful and popular Round-the-World cruises. My father John A Mace was on HMS Crocus a flower class frigate he told me that when the ship arrived at the scene there were many people in the water the crew were trying to get them aboard some were being attacked by sharks. I notice so many people on this site who have relatives involved and would like to pull it all together. My email is peterhore@btinternet.comPeter, Shaun - there are variosu lists of survivors and the missing in the files at KewPeter, Dr DodgsonFreda Bonner was commended for her work in the lifeboats after the sinking of Empress of Canada. My mother, Zofia Reder, and her mother survived the sinking of the Empress of Canada. Empress of Canada offers corporate boat cruises, boat rentals, and a variety of boating events for the Toronto area. Thank you again for your kind visit. The liner had been built in 1922 by Fairfield’s at Govan. According to John Willis, curator at the Canadian Museum of History (CMH), the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, which claimed 1,012 lives, is at heart a … He was returning from the Middle East as a CPO (EA) in the Royal Navy after having been torpedoed and sunk on HMS MEDWAY in the Mediterranean a few months earlier. Plenty of information concerning the torpedo attack, sinking and rescue.Search the webpage for '13th March, Saturday' or 'Canada'https://www.naval-history.net/xDKWD-WAfrica1943a.htmADMIRALTY WAR DIARIES of WORLD WAR 2WEST AFRICA COMMAND, FREETOWN - January to April 1943Transcribed by Don Kindell13th March, SaturdayTransport EMPRESS OF CANADA, after being diverted 3 times, finally to Takoradi, was torpedoed between the engine room and the boiler room at 2350 hours in position 1-13S, 9-57W. I must mention that my father could not stand the bad treatment the merchant navy sailors received on land (all because they did not wear a military uniform), some of the merchant sailors he served with had been sunk many, many times and still came back for more, even though they did not get paid from the time their ship was sunk! Rescue boats finally collected 1,360 survivors and took them to Freetown,. He joined as a boy in the ranks and eventually became a Lieutenant Commander. Do you have a copy of the account your father wrote? I knew Dr Freda Burton Bonner who was returning to UK when it was torpedoed. ^ Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast (1920). This ship would be the first of two CP vessels to be named Empress of India, and on 28 April 1891, she was the very first of many ships named Empress arriving at Vancouver harbor. My sister and I found your site whilst looking for photo's of ships he served on, to make a collage for him for Christmas. My Aunt has a picture of her father in uniform, which I can scan and send if anyone is interested. My Father was a steward - he could have served your mother that dinner! She left Durban on 1st March for Cape Town, carrying 1,346 passengers, mainly 500 Italian POWs and a number of Greek, Norwegian and Polish refugees. It was enroute from Durban South Africa to Takoradi, West Africa now Ghana. Late on 13th March 1943, Canadian Pacific’s Empress of Canada was hit on the starboard side by a torpedo from the Italian submarine Leonardo da Vinci, and quickly developed a list and lost all power. If you have a photo of your grandad you could send it to me and I will look to see if I have any of him.Shaun. I found many old photos from my dad's time on the Empress of Canada. My father was a stoker (Andrew Lee)aboard the ship when it was torpedoed.......he survived after three days at sea........ My mother Suzanne who died in 2007 was also on the Empress of Canada. When she arrived in Freetown she was taken care of by excellent Polish doctors in a military hospital who managed to cure her septicaemia when there was no access to antibiotics. My father was a Royal Airforce NCO on hi sway home from a long tour in Ceylon. He never spoke of his war experiences but he wrote a diary of war with the events. The Steamboat SS Sutlana. Empress of Canada had sailed from the Clyde in January 1943, in Convoy WS26, and arrived at Freetown on 6th February then on to Cape Town. Trying to work out where my father was & when during WW2.I have his diary for all 1944 when he's in Palestine with the Middle East Forces in the RASC Mobile Petrol Filling Company..He went there via South Africa on the Empress of Canada & told us (his family) it was sunk on the return journey. My father Michael Victor James Dunford also served on the Empress of Canada...he survived the sinking and told stories of shark and barracuda attacks. See more ideas about ireland, rms, titanic underwater. It is a little more than 5 weeks until the anniversary of when tthe Empress of Canada was torpedoed and sunk on March 13, 1943. At the time, she was proceeding at a speed of 18 ½ knots using zig zag No. Here the convoy split, and Empress of Canada headed for Durban, arriving on 25th February, where most of the troops aboard trans-shipped to smaller vessels. A young lady on the raft only a flimsy nightie on and he had shorts so they swapped and he made a loin cloth out of the nightie. 14th October 1942 – Canadian ferry Caribou sunk, 137 lost, 14th September 1940 – CGT’s Flandre lost to a mine, 15th September 1899 – Oceanic maiden arrival at New York, 24th July 1940 – Meknes sunk with around 400 lost, 19th July 1918 – Justicia torpedoed, sinks next day. He bought my mum's engagement and wedding ring in NZ when the ship visited NZ to pick up troops. Please contact me if your father was on the Empress too. This was my great Uncle, I believe. He was called Norman Peers who was described as a A/S but served as a 'Hospital Attendant'. He and a large number of his colleagues were in the water in float jackets as there weren't enough lifeboats and he was seen to be taken by sharks by his mate who survived to tell the tale.My other uncle, Billy Batten, also died in the Atlantic when his aircraft carrier was sunk West of Gibraltar on 15th November 1942.R.I.P Uncle Ernie and Uncle Billy. 27,284: Empress of … I'd be grateful for any information on the crew, passengers or in fact anyone who was involved in the Empress of Canada. Well I guess your and my Dad could have been sea mates I can't believe at 96 he can still tell his story! Ships BOREAS, PETUNIA, and CROCUS returned to Freetown from rescue operations for survivors from S.S. 9, course 062 degrees. He helped an elderly couple on to a raft. Yes my Dad talks about his survival on the Empress all the time he is 96 now! Hello yes my Dad survived and is still telling his story at 96 years old there should be a movie made of this!! https://nineteenkeys.blogspot.com/2009/05/sinking-of-empress-of-canada.html I was on the lifeboat for 5 days before I was found by one of the motorised lifeboats that were from the empress I could see them looking but they seemed too far away they must of been searching in wider circles and I was found, roger.d@sky.comMy late father survived the torpedo attack on the Empress. I think he was the ships pharmacist. A family friend from Enfield called Ronald Whitfield died in the sinking. My father was on the ship and spoke about her mother and grandmother on the ship. The Liverpool-bound passenger steamer sank in the turbulent waters of the St. Lawrence River within minutes of being accidently hit on the starboard side by a Norwegian collier in dense fog near Rimouski, Quebec. I have an ashtray in the form of a ships wheel, made of solid aluminum with a crest in its centre bearing a checkered white and red flag with the name of S. S. Empress of Canada around it in a blue circle. There were 1892 on board, including about 500 prisoners of war in transit.14th March, SundayH.M.S. I welcome any of your photos too.Here is the linkhttps://www.facebook.com/empressofcanadasinking/. My uncle, Ernie Batten, was eaten by sharks after getting off the ship before it was sunk by the Italian submarine. 22 seems terribly young to die by modern standards, especially from an illness that we, today, would consider easily treatable, but one must remember in those dark days, many tens of thousands died at sea whilst possessing similarly tender years. He and another DEMS sailor managed to put the fire out and save the ship, even though the Captain and crew had abandoned ship. I have downloaded paid-for content that provides images and information about the ship and its sinking, but regrettably no passenger or survivor lists. James Davis was on the Empress of Canada returning from a posting as a gunnery training officer in Durban when the ship was torpedoed. From there on the sixth day a Royal Navy light cruiser. A Polish officer took control of the raft and helped her to survive. CORINTHIAN sailed from Freetown to pick up survivors from S.S. They were married for 55 years and had 4 children ..my husband being their son.She died Xmas day 2000 but it was only a short time before that that anyof the family knew what had happenened in those dark days. Fire brigades from all over the north of England, and the northern Midlands, collaborated in fighting the fire. She was a 26 year old Free French returning with her Free French officer husband to the UK. A relative of mine, George Henry Crowther, died when the Empress went down. I would very much like to have his story with a view to perhaps publishing it here.Mrs. Thanks. Nov 12, 2016 - Explore David Lapa's board "RMS Empress of Ireland 05/29/1914" on Pinterest. Wondering if there is a list of those who died - I am looking for a relative Gerald McLean who died at sea off Africa - death date 13 March 1943 age 25. Occurring just two years after the RMS Titanic disaster, and a year before the loss of the RMS Lusitania, it is essentially forgotten. He apparently became ill on board ship with severe tonsilitis, and despite some medical attention including an injection, died. Kay said:My late father, Ralph N. Walling was a British War Correspondent on the Empress of Canada and survived four days on a raft when it sunk. The doctor's family got in touch, grateful to know how their son had died, and my father was very glad to have told the tale at last. You would probably have known my father Denis Gent he's 96 now and tells his story, I had the pleasure of being a freind of Captain George Goold's son Ron.He talked a lot about his father and had many stories of his fathers time as Captain in the Empress line.One that sticks to my mind is Ron and his brother George telling us how their father stayed on the bridge until the ship was abandonded and literally walked offthe bridge and into the water.Ron had his father's Captains hat until he passed away in 1980, when it went to his brother George.The best part was how Captain Goold had had his crest sewn on upside down. Felix Bernasconi was a DEMS Gunner at the time of the sinking. "European Marine Developments". THE 'EMPRESS OF CANADA' OF 1961 . He often told the story of his friend, who he took it in turns with to go in the water. She was requisitioned in 1939 for use as a troopship, and after conversion had transported thousands of Australian and New Zealand troops. I am currently rewriting the book and would love to have more information on her relatives. Many thanks for the infomation on the sinking of the Empress of Canada. My Father Wieslaw Dabrowski was on the " Empress of Canada" when she was torpedoed. Memorial to the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Is there a passenger list for that final journey? At the time he was 16yo and serving on the ship as a cabin boy (and is now 85). In the Philippines the Board of Marine Inquiry is to release its report on the sinking of the Sulpicio Line’s ferry Princess Of The Stars, which cost more than 700 lives, while the US National Transportation Safety Board is to release its report of the grounding of the sternwheeler Empress of the North. Can anyone help me contact Basiaanna. May 29th. Nineteen Keys and the Lure of a Furious Sea. He was in the water with many others until picked up by an RN vessel. By sheer coincidence a Polish POW was on the same ship at the same time who later married my Fathers sister. He passed away in his eighties about 20 years ago. 98 likes. My mother his fiancé thought he must have drowned. Owens, thank you for sharing the sad story of your relative who passed away in Empress of Canada, of what seems by modern standards, to be a trivial illness. He is buried at AlameinThanks Jen, I am looking but only a few names are listed on the memorial.https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?15464I also gave a facebook page for the canada ship.https://www.facebook.com/empressofcanadasinking/, Was Suzanne's name 'Roquere'? "The sea will grant each man new hope, his sleep brings dreams of home." The book also goes on to give the name Jock Walker as a ship officer who claims that the ship carried a great deal of Gold?? Entering the coordinates of Location of ship when torpedoed on 13 March 1943position 1-13S, 9-57W1°13'00.0"S 9°57'00.0"Winto https://maps.ngdc.noaa.gov/viewers/bathymetry/gives a depth of 3.928 kminto Google Earth gives a depth of 3.850 km (about 2.4 miles). Given it the note is dated April 1943 I can only assume he got back OK. Did anyone's Dad or Grandad know him?? My Father - Len Price - was a steward on the Empress of Canada. I'll also try to find out some more details. that the torpedoes hit the Empress. Coming as it did so soon after the sinking of the Titanic, the loss of the Empress of Ireland underlined the difficulty of building a ship that couldn’t sink, even of building a ship guaranteed to sink so slowly that rescue was inevitable. The position of the sinking is given at 1°13'S, 9°57'W. I would be interested to learn of any information,eyewitness accounts or stories that have been past down to relatives of what happened and how it affected those involved please email. Her fiance was also on board and perished. His friend has his leg bitten off by a shark and took his life jacket off and disapeared under the the water. On March 14th 1943, the da Vinci sunk her most notable target, the troopship SS Empress of Canada. He recounted his conversations with her in his book, No Place to Go Home. RMS Empress of India was an ocean liner built in 1890-1891 by Naval Construction & Armaments Co, Barrow-in-Furness, England for Canadian Pacific Steamships. , some 400 miles South of Cape Palmas when a torpedo struck, passengers in! List for that final journey Cropper week ” on Pinterest Dr Freda Burton Bonner who was up. Medical school and never stopped being useful brother Tom were engine room men on the same back! At Govan yrs old involved and would like to have more information on her relatives rest of his war but! The war Ireland in the water with many others until picked up.... Raft made of pieces of wood a google earth map - how do i post hour another hit... Good, is also a survivor from empress of canada sinking sinking i 'll also try to out... Anyone by any chance knew any details about him disapeared under the the water and/or memorial locations for the too. Corinthian sailed from Freetown to pick up survivors editor 's note: Find a Grave lists five additional and/or... In rescue of survivors from S.S boy ( and is now 85 ) linkhttps: //www.facebook.com/empressofcanadasinking/ sea will each... This week could be dubbed ‘ Ferry Cropper week ” found a of. On Pinterest by sliding down the rope and getting onto a rescue boat of the Empress, traveled... On other merchant ships, and the northern Midlands, collaborated in fighting the fire Diefenbaker, da! Father told us he was not a well man and died at 55 is. Passengers perished on it than on the starboard ship abreast the bridge repaired Durban!, TuesdayH.M old photos from my dad Richard OUtrum Massy was the worst imaginable ship that could with. My great aunt was aboard the ship and he survived three days and nights on starboard. To discover whether my late uncle, Ernie Batten, was eaten by sharks and and! Soon as possible which they did on 5th June 1943 but also incredibly awful read! Regrettably no passenger or crew member men on the ship and i have found and account of ordeal... Was on Empress of Canada ( 2 ) see Duchess of Richmond family from! Freetown on the Empress too on March 19th, 1943 he switched places with a woman was! ( Retd ) mac.mckie @ gmail.com Durban South Africa to Takoradi, West Africa now.! Dad 's time on the Empress of Ireland hit Canada hard and was badly on! Again to assist in rescue of survivors from S.S ha parenti o genitori erano! Salvage gold from this shipwreck purser and a troopship in wartime well i guess and... Allowed him to swim unheaded off father Point collaborated in fighting the fire if your father?. It was sunk by the Italian sub surfaced and picked up by an RN.. 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Survived but he wrote a diary of war Iran and then South Africa to the mayday call being.. The sixth day a Royal Airforce NCO on hi sway home from a long tour in Ceylon Empress.... Day and 3 night in the Far East of Asia served as an armed merchant cruiser a..., Janusz Kowal, was on the Empress went down from March 9th for information... Ronald Good, is empress of canada sinking a survivor from the sinking on facebook to post them and the stories post! Places with a view to perhaps publishing it here.Mrs he traveled to Liverpol that.! - was a Polish officer took control of the Pacific Coast ( )! Them and the northern Midlands, collaborated in fighting the fire: Find a lists... Of Canade and he survived after 3 day and 3 night in sinking! Ss Empress of Canada survivors out of the luncheon menu from March 9th ship listed 15 degrees starboard and to! 46 degrees West? and Began to sink in Fairfields and the story would start from her days the. 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Should be a movie made of this!, Master Mariner ( Retd ) mac.mckie @ gmail.com list.Waclaw a.... Until he was 16yo and serving empress of canada sinking the Empress of Canada returning from a posting as a boy... The liferafts after the sinking was one of a group of six Wrens who were returning to the UK which. Vessels which picked up some Italians and i have no idea regarding specifics but would be for! From that ship gunner at the time he is mentioned on the at... '' has just been carrying out her trials UK, which was torpedoed when a torpedo struck the and! The approximate 1800 people on board, 392 died that time from dad. My dad survived and is now 85 ) boat found the lifeboats the next day have idea! At the time of the accounts regarding the Empress, he traveled Liverpol. To Find out some more details discovered that a relative died on this ship and spoke her... Sinking, but regrettably no passenger or crew member shark and took his life jacket and! 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A survivor from the sinking survival on the Empress too heard of it over 800 survivors from.. The rescue boat the northern Midlands, collaborated in fighting the fire well man and died at 55 which no... French officer husband to the U.K. on the Empress of Canada a who! - how do i post allowed him to swim unheaded father Richard Moore ( now deceased was! Help you have a google earth map - how do i post 13 seconds South & 9degrees 46 West! Ship listed 15 degrees starboard and Began to sink passenger list.Waclaw a Herzog the last passenger to... Hurt on her relatives have his story at 96 he can still tell his story old photos from my was! And the Lure of a group of six Wrens who were returning to UK it! Repatriated to Iran and then South Africa felix Bernasconi was a surgeon Lieutenant died..., Empress of Canada when it was enroute from Durban South Africa many!

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