Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

January 03, 2010

Oronsay

Hi, Mac, I am hoping that you might be able to help me. While searching the web for passenger lists of the
Oronsay 1925 voyage I found your web site.

My great grandfather John Henry WARREN (born 1877 Germany John Henry SCHNACKERS changed name) sailed on the Oronsay. ( see picture attached)

I have found one record of J H Warren on the Oronsay 1925. 

http://www.findmypast.co.uk/

Would you have access to the passenger list for this voyage? He may have go to Boston USA to see family.

John Henry WARREN (born 1877 Germany John Henry SCHNACKERS changed name

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Lynne Ho

Lynne.

Here is a brief history of SS Oronsay:

ORONSAY 1925
20,043 gross tons, length 659ft x beam 75ft, two funnels,
two masts, twin screw, speed 19 knots. Accommodation for
1,836 passengers in two classes. Built 1925 by John Brown
Ltd, Clydebank for the Orient Steam Navigation Co., she
started her maiden voyage on 7th Feb.1925 when she left
London for Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. In Dec.1938 she
made one voyage extended to New Zealand ports, but then
reverted to regular sailings. In 1939 she was converted to
a troop transport and on 9th Oct.1942 was torpedoed and
sunk by the Italian submarine ARCHIMEDE in the Atlantic
about 500 miles SW from Freetown in position 04.29N 20.52W
while sailing on government service on voyage Capetown to
the UK via Freetown. She was carrying 50 RAF personnel, 20
Distressed British Seamen, 8 DEMS personnel, 1,200 tons of
copper and 3,000 tons of oranges. The Master, Capt. N.
Savage, 281 crew, 15 gunners, 25 RAF personnel, DBS and
DEMS were rescued by HMS BRILLIANT, landed at Freetown
where they transferred to the Union-Castle liner
CAERNARVON CASTLE and sailed on 15th Oct.1942 for Glasgow.
6 crew were lost. 37 crew, 1 gunner and 25 RAF personnel
were picked up by the Vichy French warship DUMONT
D'URVILLE and a French merchant ship and landed at Dakar
where they were taken prisoner.

I regret that I do have any passenger lists for her.

Regards,

Mac.


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