Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Monday, March 09, 2009

Subject: re; ss ramillies

dear sir,

I have been looking into my family history and have found my great grandfather served as the cook on the ship.

His name was Francesco Fortunata Gentile and he was 65 a fair old age to be sailing. He also served in the ww1 but i can't find any info on that.I am looking for perhaps a picture of SS Ramillies and would be greatful if you could point me in the right direction.

I have visited the memorial on Towerhill, London and found it very poignent to see all the brave, valient people who lost there lives.

My grandfather Angelo Gentile also served in the merchant navey as a cook on the ss starstone/ ss rubystone.He survived the war but i am also looking for imformation. He sailed out of Cardiff, Wales

Many thanks
Michael Gentile

Hello Michael,

Here is a brief description of SS Ramilles:

RAMILLES

British S.S. Co.; 1927; W. Gray & Co.; 4,553 tons; 398-8x

53x24- 7; 424 n.h.p.; triple-expansion engines. The British

steamship Ramilles, on a voyage from the Tyne to Baltimore with

coke, was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine on May 8th,

1941, about 1,100 miles E. of Cape Race. Twenty-six of her crew

and three gunners were lost.
SS Starstone 5702 tons built 1938 by Wm Doxford & Sons, Sunderland.
431.9 x 57.5 x 26.7. 3 cylinder up & downer built by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co Hartlepool. DF ESD. Registered London. British flag. Owners as above.

Empire Baron

Empire Baron was a 5,894 GRT cargo ship built by Cantiare Navale Triestino], Triest. Launched in 1926 as Monte Piana for Navigazione Generale Geromilich & Co, Trieste. Beached at Aden on 12 June 1940 after crew attempted to scuttle her when intercepted by the Royal Navy. Attempts to repair unsuccessful, towed to Vizagapatam, India by SS Nirvana in February 1941 where repaired. Sold in 1947 to Navigation & Coal Trade Ltd, London and renamed Rubystone. Sold in 1951 to Alvion Steamship Co, Panama. Scrapped at Nagasaki, Japan in August

Regret no pictures were found.

Regards,

Mac.

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