Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Hi Mac

I've just been searching for the SS Volendam, the ship my Dad sailed out to the Middle East on in 1941 and have come across your site. In particular I've been reading correspondence on the following page: "From passengeron the Volenda" on which there are several mentions of the Volendam being sunk in 1940.

Well it wasn't actually sunk. She was torpedoed [possibly whilst carrying British children to Canada] but clearly wasn't sunk because she was in service as a troop ship in 1941 when my Dad sailed on her. There are other mentions of her being repaired in North America.
According to other records she was eventually decommissioned in 1952.

I could do some more digging, and probably will, but I just thought you'd like to know these useful little facts.

Kind regards

Graham Ellison

Graham,

You are so right, I have been in Europe and am just back in Melbourne, hence my silence.

When serving as an 18 year old Midshipman in HMAS Australia we actually passed Volendam being towed stern first by a tug after she had been torpedoed.

Thank you for that correction which will be made to the piece on AHOY.

Best regards,

Mac. Gregory.

Corrected, thanks, TK

Monday, October 06, 2008 8:51 PM

Dear Mac

Looking up the Volendam and came across your letter below. Thought you may be interested in the article at the bottom from the bbc.

The Gourock Times of 6 September 1940 ran this story about the SS Volendam being torpedoed, and the rescued children from the ship being safely brought to port on the Clyde.

All the best

James

James,

My thanks for adding to the Volendam saga, we will add the BBC piece to AHOY at our URL: Correction: SS Volendam was torpedoed [possibly whilst carrying British children to Canada] but clearly wasn't sunk

Regards,
Mac.

back to letters index