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Letters
Hoegh Silverdawn sunk by Michel
Mac. I happened on your most excellent web site and found the story of the German Raider "Michel".I had a brother-in-law who lost his life while serving on the Hoegh Silverdawn on June 15 1943.He was one of six Canadians who lost their lives while serving on this ship.Only one Canadian survived of the seven on board.Four of the men were from Nova Scotia who had been recruited in Halifax and joined the ship at New York for the start of the voyage. My search for answers over many years with the help of the Norwegian Council in Halifax enabled me to get a copy of the book by Leif Lillegaard "Last man to leave the ship" written in 1965 that told the story.22 men were in the lifeboat and 3 died shortly after.19 survivors landed.including one of the Canadian boys who made it back to Halifax .I note also the name of the next one attacked the Ferncastle is misspelled.You can contact me if I can be of further assistance. .............. Wilfrid J. Warner Hello, My thanks for your E-mail, I am sorry to learn that your brother- in- law became a victim of of the German Armed Raider Michel. When Gumprich ( Michel's captain ) attacked Hoegh Silverdawn he did so without any fore warning, and also kept on firing at the ship, although it was very evident that her crew were abandoning ship. You will note my comment at the time "Had the Germans changed their policy about taking prisoners on board their Raiders from the ships they sank?" The way it was reported about firing on the ship's boats, and only one of them surviving, the inference must be drawn that prisoners on board Raiders were becoming too much trouble. It was the first time I had noticed this action in my study of these German Raiders. My site is run in Atlanta Georgia by my very good friend Terry Kearns, he sets it up and controls it all, my task is to supply the content. Thus any nice comments about Ahoy such as yours, are Shared, as we are a team that tries to bring some Naval History and other topics to a wider audience. Thank you for taking the time to be in touch, we appreciate your comments. Best wishes from America and Australia. Thanks for your reply.A portion of my first letter never reached you to my knowledge.It mentioned that only one man got back to see us of the 19 that had landed in India.I have been in touch over several years with the Nova Scotia families who suffered loss including the sons of the one survivor who moved away and has not been in touch with his local family since. Wilfrid Warner P.S. In one book I learned that the Michel was named after the protector of the jewish people Wow. Wilfred |
