Ahoy - Mac's Web Log - The Athenia Page, index to articles about Passenger Liner Athenia


The Athenia Page, index to articles about Passenger Liner Athenia Given all the interest in the sinking of the Passenger Liner Athenia on the day WW2 declared, and the fact that we have recently found some of the lists for her survivors, and those who died, we have decided to consolidate all our references to her on this site, The Athenia Page. - The Saga Of American Freighter City of Flint Published 19 May 2013; Updated 19 May 2013 An SOS had been read by an empty Norwegian Tanker, Knute Nelson, a luxury steam yacht Southern Cross from Norway, three British Destroyers Escort, Electra, Fame, who were escorting HMS Renown, and finally a United States freighter SS City of Flint. - Athenia Survivors from Knute Nelson landed at Galway Published 25 November 2012; Updated 23 July 2013 - Rhonda Thomas' personal account - "Experiences of an Athenia Survivor" Published 02 March 2012; Updated 02 March 2012 After Athenia was sunk on day one of WW2 a great deal was written about the loss and we decided to devote the Athenia Pages to the subject on our AHOY site. The latest addition is an account by Rhonda Thomas of her experiences in that ship on the day of the torpedoing. Nothing beats the written personal account of a survivor, and this piece adds to our knowledge and understanding of a momentous event on the very first day of the start of WW2. - WHO’S SORRY NOW? by Liam Nolan Published 03 April 2011; Updated 04 November 2011 - A Night to Remember by John B. Manbeck Published 01 April 2011; Updated 02 April 2011 She piqued my interest when she said that she had spent a night in a leaky lifeboat in 1939. - New book on Athenia by Cay Rademacher Published 05 April 2009; Updated 08 April 2009 - Letter of thanks from an Athenia survivor, to the CO and crew of HMS Electra, one of the rescue destroyers Published 23 November 2008; Updated 23 November 2008 - TSS Letitia, sister ship to ill fated Athenia, had a checkered career Published 03 March 2008; Updated 09 March 2008 - A report about HMS Electra and the sinking and rescue of some of her passengers, by Able Seaman Jack Taylor Published 24 October 2007; Updated 09 October 2008 - Margaret and Elizabeth Orr both survived the sinking of RMS Athenia on Sunday the 3rd. of September 1939. Margo Farnworth's artifacts from her Mother and Grand Mother Published 02 October 2007; Updated 03 October 2007 Margo Farnsworth of Calgary Canada has written to me to indicate that her Mother and Grand Mother, Margaret and Elizabeth Orr had both survived the Athenia sinking. In December 1939, her Grand Father made up a special scrap book for his wife Elizabeth, it is now in Margo's possession, and holds some press reports from both sides of the Atlantic, the plan of the ship's accommodation, three telegrams sent to her family by Elizabeth, a survivor list of passengers and crew members, and a list of those survivors who needed hospitalisation in Glasgow. - Survivors from Athenia rescued by Royal Navy destroyers, Escort, Electra and Fame, and landed at Gourock on the Clyde, Scotland Published 16 June 2007; Updated 06 September 2014 Over the years that AHOY has been trying to locate lists of survivors from the Athenia, torpedoed on Sunday the 3rd. of September 1939, the very first day of WW2, we have not found a consolidated list of those survivors rescued by Royal Navy destroyers Escort, Electra and Fame, and landed at Gourock on the Clyde at Scotland. - Athenia Manuscript authored by Judith Evelyn Published 05 December 2006; Updated 14 February 2007 Judith's Manuscript ( tied up with ribbon ) covered her sailing, being sunk, and rescued from the liner Athenia, in the first casualty of the WW2 U-Boat war in the Atlantic. The ship was sunk by U-30 on Sunday the 3rd.of September 1939 the very first day that WW2 had been declared. 93 passengers and 19 crew members died. - Family of seven, only three survive sinking of Athenia Published 24 November 2006; Updated 01 April 2008 Work in progress - The Athenia Remembered: September 3, 1939-September 3, 2004 by Michael Poirier Published 29 September 2006; Updated 20 April 2015 Thanks to Michael Poirier who graciously allowed Ahoy to publish interview excerpts from his article, "The Athenia Remembered: September 3, 1939-September 3, 2004 in Voyage magazine, Titanic International Society, www.titanicinternationalsociety.org - First newspaper report about Bernice Jansen being aboard Athenia when it was sunk by German U-Boat U-30, on the 3rd. of September 1939 Published 24 July 2006; Updated 19 January 2007 At this stage it was unknown if Bernice had survived. Its quite wonderful to get these reports from newspapers of that time. I acknowledge with thanks the generosity of Christy Velasco of California in sharing her records with AHOY. - Survivors from Athenia picked up by the City of Flint, to be transported to Halifax Published 09 July 2006; Updated 23 August 2012 This list from the Times of London archives indicates that the majority of these survivors rescued from the Athenia which was torpedoed by German U-Boat U-30, on Sunday the 3rd. of September 1939, were Americans. - List of 93 Passengers killed when Athenia was torpedoed by German U-30, on Sunday the 3rd. of September 1939 Published 23 June 2006; Updated 06 July 2006 Athenia was torpedoed by German U-Boat U-30, on the day World War 2 was declared. No doubt the sterile black print of this list of passengers who died when Athenia was torpedoed, masks a number of poignant stories. - The British Convoy System in Two World Wars, and winning the Battle of the Atlantic Published 02 February 2006; Updated 01 July 2006 Hitler on 9 October, 1939, made this comment, "Used ruthlessly, the Submarine, can today, be an extraordinary threat to Britain." Churchill said, " Battles might be won or lost, enterprises succeed or miscarry, Territories might be gained or quitted, but, dominating all our power to carry on the war, or even keep ourselves alive, was our mastery of the ocean routes, and free approach and entry to our ports. The only thing that ever frightened me during the war was the U-Boat peril." - My life on the Internet Published 22 February 2004; Updated 08 November 2009 (Work in progress) - SS Athenia, First Casualty of the U-Boat War on the 3rd. of September 1939 Published 29 September 2003; Updated 01 July 2006 Berlin found out about this attack from news reports, and knowing that U-30 was the only Boat in that area, were soon able to pin this error on her. Hitler now wanted a cover up. He did not wish to have another event like the Lusitania affair from WW1 coming back to haunt him, plus Donitz, and his U-Boat arm. Goebells spread the word that it was the British that had themselves torpedoed Athenia, in their attempt to bring the United States quickly into WW2 against Germany The Battle of the Atlantic - The Battle of the Atlantic Published 23 October 2002; Updated 16 June 2007 This battle ebbed and flowed from the opening day of W.W. 2 The German V-30. only twelve hours after war was declared. sank the" Athenia" off Ireland, with the subsequent loss of life of 120 of its passengers. Letters and other correspondence Michael and Ksenia Martyn and their 4 children survived sinking of Athenia Published 23 July 2013; Updated 23 July 2013 David G Vowles and Anne Vowles were survivors of the Athenia Published 09 June 2013; Updated 09 June 2013 Fredrick Thomas Pearson, Athenia Steward Prior to 2 September 1939? Published 05 May 2013; Updated 05 May 2013 Robert Goodall travelled to Canada in the Athenia, Donaldson Brothers Ltd.circa 1880? Published 17 February 2013; Updated 17 February 2013 Were Bruce Cutler and to-be-wife Annie Waller were destined to board SS Athenia? Published 08 December 2012; Updated 08 December 2012 Was Mary Rushton a passenger on Athenia? Published 25 November 2012; Updated 25 November 2012 Family traveled in Athenia from Scotland to Canada in 1925 Published 25 November 2012; Updated 25 November 2012 Hannah Baird. Voici un article publié dans le Québec Hebdo. Published 06 November 2012; Updated 06 September 2014 Florence Barrett - Athenia Published 26 October 2012; Updated 26 October 2012 New book: Athenia Torpedoed Published 21 October 2012; Updated 21 October 2012 Athenia Survivor Mary McLeod Published 14 October 2012; Updated 14 October 2012 Hannah Baird, first Canadian casulaty of WW II Published 30 September 2012; Updated 30 September 2012 1939 British Pathe newsreel about survivors of the Athenia sinking, including 2 eyewitness accounts Published 04 September 2012; Updated 04 September 2012 Margaret Florence Heap, Athenia survivor transported to Canada on the City of Flint? Published 23 August 2012; Updated 20 January 2013 Great Grand Mother worked on the SS Athenia Published 11 August 2012; Updated 11 August 2012 Hannah Baird Information/Sinking of the Athenia Published 18 July 2012; Updated 18 July 2012 HECTOR JOHN MCKENZIE Stoker PettyOfficer on Escort when she was on the rescue of ATHENIA survivors Published 20 May 2012; Updated 20 May 2012 Mary (Fraser) Donald, Heather (Donald) Watts survived sinking of Athenia Published 20 May 2012; Updated 21 May 2012 Hannah Baird was the first Canadian casulaty WW II Published 20 May 2012; Updated 20 May 2012 Wilhemina Greer and Sylvia ( Greer ) Love survived sinking for Athenia Published 20 May 2012; Updated 20 May 2012 Oil painting of the Athenia painted just before her fateful trip Published 22 April 2012; Updated 22 April 2012 Athenia menus Published 22 April 2012; Updated 22 April 2012 Hannah Baird - Floyd Williston's letter of Jan. 31 2011 - Athenia Published 22 April 2012; Updated 22 April 2012 "Ruth" Letter; Athenia Survivor Published 15 April 2012; Updated 01 April 2012 Marianne Osterman (Marianne F Kaye) Athenia Survivor Published 10 March 2012; Updated 10 March 2012 Rhoda Thomas survived sinking of the Athenia and left our family with a detailed account Published 28 January 2012; Updated 02 March 2012 Athenia survivor, Jessie Graham from Glasgow Published 27 November 2011; Updated 27 November 2011 Either Hazel or May Toon survived the sinking of Ahenia Published 13 November 2011; Updated 13 November 2011 Were Lydia Pemberton and Bertha Pemberton Survivors on the Athenia survivor list? Published 04 November 2011; Updated 04 November 2011 Athenia Survivor: Mrs. Kate Williams of Victoria, BC - deceased Published 06 May 2011; Updated 02 September 2012 Alice & Kathleen Michie survivied sinking of Athenia Published 08 April 2011; Updated 08 April 2011 Story on Barbara Wilson's Athenian ordeal Published 03 April 2011; Updated 03 April 2011 Radio Officer of the Athenia when Lemp torpedoed her in September 1939? Published 19 March 2011; Updated 20 March 2011 Barbara Rodman Wilson, Athenia survivor Published 17 March 2011; Updated 17 March 2011 Lucy Marston, lost on Athenia, her daughter Aileen Scott Philipsen survived Published 13 March 2011; Updated 30 October 2012 Peter McLaughlin Simpson was a cook in the SS Athenia, pre 1939 Published 06 March 2011; Updated 06 March 2011 Was Hannah Baird was the first Canadian (and merchant mariner) killed as a result of enemy action in WWII? Published 01 February 2011; Updated 01 February 2011 Peter Birchall was amongst those 93 passengers who died when Athenia sank Published 21 July 2010; Updated 21 July 2010 Joseph and Elnetta Macdonald survive sinking of Athenia? Published 18 July 2010; Updated 10 August 2010 Photo of the Athenia Published 29 June 2010; Updated 05 July 2010 Athenia was built in Glasgow Published 24 June 2010; Updated 24 June 2010 Request for Official (newspaper source) of Athenia Survivors? Published 26 May 2010; Updated 26 May 2010 Request for Athenia Survivor Source List Published 24 April 2010; Updated 24 April 2010 Leonard Robert Sykes, Walda Katrina Sykes, Shirley Margaret Sykes, survived sinking of Athenia Published 20 April 2010; Updated 20 April 2010 Athenia sinking, 1939, survivors Published 11 April 2010; Updated 11 April 2010 Maria (or Mary) Dick (nee Webster) survived sinking of Athenia Published 31 December 2009; Updated 31 December 2009 Mary (Park) Blais, a survivor of the September sinking of the Athenia? Published 18 December 2009; Updated 18 December 2009 Survivor of Athenia Published 11 November 2009; Updated 11 November 2009 Family of 7, only 3 survive Ewdokia Kucharczuk and her three children: sons, Stefan and Jakeb, and daughter Aleksandra were among those killed in sinking of Athenia Published 10 November 2009; Updated 10 November 2009 Mrs. Hannah Baird lost in Athenia sinking Published 08 November 2009; Updated 06 September 2014 Passenger list for HMS Captain Cook left England Feb 5th 1952? Published 06 November 2009; Updated 06 November 2009 Harriet Barrington killed on the Athenia Published 06 November 2009; Updated 06 November 2009 Search for the personal stories of the people onboard of the Athenia Published 31 October 2009; Updated 01 April 2012 Joan Hecht Lorber, SS Athenia survivor, R.I.P Published 20 October 2009; Updated 20 October 2009 Athenia Survivors: Doris MacLeod, Betty Jean MacLeod, Dorothy MacLeod, John Charles MacLeod Published 16 October 2009; Updated 16 October 2009 Bernice Jansen, missionary on Athenia Published 10 October 2009; Updated 12 October 2009 70th anniversary of the sinking of Athenia Published 14 September 2009; Updated 14 September 2009 Martha Goddard, Athenia Published 04 September 2009; Updated 04 September 2009 Robert (Bob) Bryson MacArthur Sim an engineer survived the torpedoeing of SS Athenia Published 02 September 2009; Updated 02 September 2009 Ada May Waterman, was aboard Athenia when it was torpedoed in 1939. She survived Published 31 August 2009; Updated 31 August 2009 Contacting SS Athenia survivors? Published 18 August 2009; Updated 18 August 2009 Tankard presented to people who went to Athenia's rescue Published 15 August 2009; Updated 15 August 2009 Spoon with Athenia crest Published 14 June 2009; Updated 14 June 2009 George Mcewan survivied sinking of Athenia Published 20 May 2009; Updated 20 May 2009 Athenia records for Ms. Davina Curtis Published 24 March 2009; Updated 24 March 2009 Agnes McFarlane who we believe was killed with her daughter Gladys on the Athenia Published 18 March 2009; Updated 18 March 2009 Passenger lists for Athenia July 4th 1933 or August 1933? Published 18 March 2009; Updated 18 March 2009 Athenia passengers: George Bihun (age 16),William Bihun (age 14),Walter Bihun (age 12) Published 02 March 2009; Updated 08 March 2009 Rachel Adair McBride Lamont and Alexander Lamont survived sinking of Athenia Published 20 February 2009; Updated 20 February 2009 Lona Marie (nee Attfield) Manning survived sinking of Athenia Published 20 February 2009; Updated 20 February 2009 Identification cards from the ship Athenia Published 31 January 2009; Updated 17 February 2009 Original Marconi grams that I have concerning the sinking of the SS Athenia Published 22 January 2009; Updated 25 January 2009 "Eadie" rescued from the Athenia? Published 19 January 2009; Updated 19 January 2009 Albert Augustus Wolff in Athenia 1, sunk by German U-Boat, U-53 on August 16 in 1917 Published 19 January 2009; Updated 19 January 2009 Grandfather, David Don, was on the SS Athenia when it was torpedoed Published 14 January 2009; Updated 14 January 2009 Peter Nelson Bekusch and John Nelson Bekusch survived sinking of Athenia Published 29 December 2008; Updated 29 December 2008 Relieved that you are still with us!!! Thank you to Jayne! Published 19 December 2008; Updated 20 December 2008 Barbara Bailey, Athenia survivor Published 07 December 2008; Updated 07 December 2008 Images: Easter Greeting card, H.M.S. Electra. dated 1940, H.M.S. Rodney 1944, H.M.S. Suffolk 1932, H.M.S. Repulse, H.M.S. Renown Published 22 November 2008; Updated 29 November 2008 Isabel MacDonald (nee Barr) and Ronald Hugh Livingston MacDonald survived the sinking Athenia Published 30 October 2008; Updated 30 October 2008 SS Athenia, Glasgow to Montreal around 1935 Published 30 October 2008; Updated 05 November 2008 Manifest for the passengers that boarded the S.S. Athenia in 1939? Published 27 October 2008; Updated 27 October 2008 Athenia & Electra's arrival date in Greenock Published 09 October 2008; Updated 09 October 2008 Survivors of the Athenia Published 04 October 2008; Updated 04 October 2008 David Murray Captain's Steward on Athenia Published 21 September 2008; Updated 21 October 2008 Willie Jenkins survived sinking of Athenia Published 14 September 2008; Updated 14 September 2008 James Swan, 21 years old in September 1939, survived sinkings of Athenia and Gracia Published 09 September 2008; Updated 09 September 2008 Story of the Athenia, its victims and survivors, could work well as a documentary Published 30 August 2008; Updated 30 August 2008 Tommy McLaughlin served on Athenia Published 29 August 2008; Updated 29 August 2008 David Murray from Glasgow was the Captains steward on Athenia on that eventful night in 1939 Published 29 August 2008; Updated 21 October 2008 Wooden hammer/mallet which was used at the launching of the Athenia Published 14 June 2008; Updated 14 June 2008 Linda Dalton survived sinking of Athenia Published 03 May 2008; Updated 09 June 2008 Jessie Lowe (Jessie Makay) a nurse/stewardess on the Athenia? Published 29 April 2008; Updated 29 April 2008 Frank Watson served on H.M.S. Escort, picked up survivors from S.S. Athenia Published 16 March 2008; Updated 17 March 2008 Arthur and Lily Moses, were aboard the Athenia when she was torpedoed Published 02 March 2008; Updated 02 March 2008 Margaret Ray Hodge and Jocelyn M. Hodge survivied the sinking of Athenia Published 02 March 2008; Updated 02 March 2008 Duncan MacKenzie Wood Sr., wife Ann Scott Wood, and their son Duncan MacKenzie Wood Jr., all survived the sinking of the ATHENIA Published 24 January 2008; Updated 24 January 2008 SS Athenia Glasgow Museums update, pictures and keys which came from Athenia's silver room Published 04 January 2008; Updated 04 January 2008 Athenia lifeboat survives on Stronsay, part of the Orkney Islands Published 17 December 2007; Updated 17 December 2007 Gerald Hutchinson, oldest living survivor of SS Athenia? Published 16 December 2007; Updated 20 April 2015 Rose Griffin survived sinking of Athenia Published 03 December 2007; Updated 03 December 2007 James A. Goodson survived sinking of Athenia Published 30 November 2007; Updated 30 November 2007 Florence Kelly Roseman & her mother, Mary Kelly, survived Athenia Published 25 October 2007; Updated 29 October 2007 Athenia Research, Museum of Transport, Glasgow Published 24 October 2007; Updated 24 October 2007 Nickolas Gash, Athenia survivor Published 23 October 2007; Updated 23 October 2007 George Sneddon lost on Athenia? Published 14 October 2007; Updated 14 October 2007 Leslie John Holder, Radio Operator on duty who received the SOS from the ATHENIA after being torpedoed Published 04 October 2007; Updated 14 January 2009 Elizabeth and Margaret Orr, survivors of Athenia Published 29 September 2007; Updated 29 September 2007 John Morrison from Detroit, Mich, Athenia passenger? Published 23 September 2007; Updated 23 September 2007 Berta Rapp, Osias Rapp were survivors of the sinking of the Athenia Published 09 September 2007; Updated 09 September 2007 My father is a survivor from the SS Athenia Sep. 3, 1939 Published 09 September 2007; Updated 06 January 2008 Two ships named Athenia Published 26 August 2007; Updated 26 August 2007 Angus Macpherson lost in Athenia? Published 18 June 2007; Updated 18 June 2007 Alice Apers, Florence Arthur and cousin Laura Apers survived the sinking of Athenia Published 16 June 2007; Updated 16 June 2007 Athenia survivor (originally evacuated to Scotland) in NYC Published 16 June 2007; Updated 19 June 2007 Glasgow Museum of Transport; exhibition of Athenia, contacting survivors Published 19 May 2007; Updated 19 May 2007 Passenger aboard the Athenia when it was torpedoed Published 25 March 2007; Updated 31 March 2007 Florrie Treharne, survive the sinking of the Athenia in 1939? Published 15 March 2007; Updated 15 March 2007 Jessie Clark, aboard Athenia, and the "curse" of the Clarks Published 13 March 2007; Updated 13 March 2007 Athenia survivor finds plaque memorializing Helen Burrows who died in the sinking of Athenia Published 05 March 2007; Updated 10 March 2007 Surviving the Athenia Published 20 January 2007; Updated 20 January 2007 Margaret Ellen Taylor survived sinking of Athenia - which ship picked her up? Published 13 January 2007; Updated 12 March 2007 Reference to the recovery of any bodies from the loss of Athenia? Published 30 November 2006; Updated 30 November 2006 Edward Belton survived the sinking of Athenia Published 26 November 2006; Updated 26 November 2006 Interviews with Athenia survivors for an article honoring the 65th anniversary Published 29 September 2006; Updated 29 September 2006 Elwood & Alma MacPherson, survived the sinking of the Athenia Published 21 August 2006; Updated 21 August 2006 John Easton and mother, Lily Easton, aboard Athenia when sunk. Published 24 July 2006; Updated 04 March 2007 Bernice Jansen, passenger on the Athenia Published 09 July 2006; Updated 24 July 2006 Athenia survivor, Marianne Ostermann. Now she is Marian Kaye Published 14 June 2006; Updated 01 July 2006 Think my granddad sailed the boat which saved survivors of the Athenia Published 29 May 2006; Updated 01 July 2006 June 1927 outbound passenger list of the Athenia Published 29 May 2006; Updated 01 July 2006 My father's aunts perished on Athenia Published 16 April 2006; Updated 10 February 2007 Capt A.Quail fought in WW2 in the british merchant navy Published 15 March 2006; Updated 01 July 2006 John & Nigel McKinnon were members of the crew of SS Athenia when it was sunk in 1939 Published 29 January 2006; Updated 01 July 2006 Crew members from Athenia, who died when she was sunk, to become the first Merchant Ship casuality of WW2 Published 21 January 2006; Updated 01 July 2006 Athenia passenger list 1927? Published 19 January 2006; Updated 01 July 2006 Any living survivors of SS Athenia's sinking in 1939? Published 13 December 2005; Updated 01 July 2006 Julia Wotten Scott, survivor on the Athenia at time of sinking Published 02 December 2005; Updated 01 July 2006 David Morrison, steward on the Athenia died Sept 1939 Published 28 March 2005; Updated 01 July 2006 Martha Goddard died on the Athenia in Sept 1939 Published 24 February 2005; Updated 01 July 2006 Dinner bell from the RSM Athenia dated 1931 Published 26 November 2004; Updated 01 July 2006 Father sailed as 2nd Officer on SS Eastlea, sunk by U-48 Published 08 September 2004; Updated 19 November 2012 From passenger on the Volendam Published 15 June 2004; Updated 18 June 2007 Find crew / staff lists for SS Athenia? Published 22 February 2004; Updated 08 November 2009 Discussion Forum for Ahoy - Mac's Web Log A short list of Australian survivors of the Athenia sinking (National Archives of Australia, Prime Minister's Dept. corresp.). Athenia newspaper articles Athenia First Casualty of WW2 Merchant Navy WWII--how to get backround info on casualty

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