Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

(See pictures from the 2005 Lancastria remembrance ceremony and
Commemorative Ceremony of the Lancastria tragedy. St.Nazaire  June 17th 2008 )

Introduction. (See pictures from the 2005 Lancastria remembrance ceremony)
With the German Army pushing the British Expeditionary Force into the sea, and threatening to annihilate this force in June of 1940, a huge armada was mustered in England to set sail from those shores to rescue them. HMT Lancastria was amongst the ships laying off ST Nazaire to lift the stranded members of the BEF to safety.

Lancastria in her peacetime livery.

RMS Lancastria.
On the River Clyde, at the shipyard of William Beardmore, on the 31st. of May 1930, the 16,243 ton SS Tyrrhenia slid down the slipway. This new Cunard Liner offered 580 luxury class cabins, and had been built to service the Hamburg/New York, and London/New York routes. She spent some time as a Cruise Ship in both Mediterranean and Norwegian waters.

The American public interested in cruising had some difficulty with the name Tyrrhenia, and contrary to the superstition that sailors carry about changing a ship's name, her owners decided to rename the ship Lancastria in 1924.

Requisitioned as a Troopship.
April 1940 found the Admiralty requisitioning Lancastria for the role of a troopship, and Steam Ship became His Majesty's Troopship, and off she went to assist evacuation of troops from Norway.

The Retreat to Dunkirk.
Come the need to rescue the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches of Dunkirk, the last ship sailed from here on the 4th. of June 1940. But all the troops had not been evacuated, and British forces cut off from Dunkirk marched still further South, some to the French port of St Nazaire.

Troops at the end of their tether wait to
join ships and escape from St Nazaire.

Southern French Ports.
Some 50 ships were standing by to collect evacuees from ports such as, St Nazaire, Brest, St Malo, Cherbourg and Le Havre. Those ships detailed for a St Nazaire pick up were: HM Ships Cambridgeshire, Havelock, Highlander, Vanoc, Punjabi, HMT Lancastria, plus Merchant Ships: Oracle, Oronsay, John Holt, Robert L Holt, City of Lancaster, Baharistan, Clan Ferguson, Floristan, Ulster Prince, City of Mobile, Cymbula, Fabian, and Glenaffric.

HMT Lancastria.
Captain Rudolph Sharp sailed his HMT Lancastria from Plymouth at midnight on the 15th. of June to arrive at Quiberon Bay at 1800 ( 6 PM ) the next day, anchoring in 12 fathoms ( 72 feet ) off St Nazaire in Carpenter Roads.

Early in the morning of the 17th. of June until late afternoon, this fleet of ships took on board, a host of men, women, and children, all fleeing the advancing tide of the German Army. The Royal Navy Destroyers, Havelock and Highlander with assistance from small French craft acted as tenders ferrying the evacuees from shore to the waiting ships.

We still do not really know how many made it to the Lancastria, but it is understood the count by crew members reached 6,000, and still people arrived to scramble onboard.

HMT Lancastria, in her final agony

A survivor's story.
J.H.Drummond had this to say:"As we reached the ship, a gangplank was placed across to a loading port where two crewmen were handing out little tickets, just like cloak room tickets, and I was handed one, this crewman said to his mate: "BLOODY HELL, THAT"S 6,000 AND WE WERE ONLY SUPPOSED TO TAKE 4,000."

Air Raids.
At about 1400 ( 2 PM ) the air raid siren blasted off, and Oronsay, only 500 yards from Lancastria was straddled by bombs. They destroyed the ship's bridge, and killed a number of her crew. Again at 1600 ( 4 PM ) off went the air raid sirens, and a German bomber appeared, her bomb bay wide open, down came four bombs, to fall onto Lancastria, the ship immediately shuddered under this impact. One bomb fell down a funnel, the others struck No 2 Hold, No 3 Hold, about 1,200 tons of fuel oil was spilled into the surrounding sea, and the 4th. bomb burst in No 4 hatch.

The ship quickly listed to starboard, and started to settle by the bows, hundreds jumped into the oil soaked sea, others sought refuge on the upturned hull. The German aircraft returned to machine gun survivors, killing many of them.Lancastria now took her final plunge to the bottom.

Survivors were picked up by all manner of craft, and in due course, newspapers put the total recovered at  2,823.Numbers lost. The total number lost from this troopship will most likely never be known, as no final and accurate count of those who did board the ship was taken, and it might run as high as 4,000 to 5,000 lost.

HMS Punjabi involved in the evacuation of British troops from St Nazaire in June of 1940,
was with a convoy PG15 on the 1st. of March 1942, when in a fog she was run down by the
British Battleship HMS King George V, cut in two, and quickly sank with some crew members lost.

Damage to bows of HMS King George V after colliding and
sinking HMS Punjabi on the 1st. of March 1942

Oronsay collects survivors.
Oronsay picked up as many survivors as she could, and with a 10 degree list to port, her bridge totally destroyed, she staggerd off towards Plymouth, 400 miles away, all on her own, no Naval ship available to escort her.

Towards the end of this journey, the heavy 8 inch cruiser HMS Shropshire arrived, to ensure Oronsay did finally make it to England. This cruiser was later donated by Winston Churchill to the Royal Australian Navy to replace her sister ship HMAS Canberra, sunk by a Japanese surface force on the 9th. of August 1942 at the Battle of Savo Island in the Solomons. At that time, I was serving in Canberra, and like many of my shipmates in her, later joined Shropshire, to serve out WW2 in that ship, and be present in her at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on Sunday the 2nd. of September 1945.

It is amazing how the fortunes of war may dictate and control one's movements, until I came to research the sinking of HMT Lancastria, I had no idea that Shropshire had played a small part in this saga.

Annual pilgrimage to St Nazaire.
Each year, on the anniversary of the sinking of Lancastria, the Association formed to honour and remember her, go back to St Nazaire for a ceremony at the Memorial dedicated to those who died that fateful day almost 64 years ago. See pictures from the 2005 Lancastria remembrance ceremony

Wording on the St Nazaire Memorial to the loss of HMT Lancastria and those who died.

Opposite this place lies the wreck of the Troopship Lancastria sunk by enemy action on 17 June 1940 whilst embarking British troops and civilians during the evacuation of France. To the glory of God, in proud memory of more than 4,000 who died and in commemoration of of the people of St Nazaire and surrounding districts who saved many lives, tended the wounded and gave a christian burial to victims.

WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN. HMT LANCASTRIA. ASSOCIATION 17JUNE 1988.

Pictures from Yves in St Nazaire, honouring the loss from HMT Lancastria
sunk on the 17th. of June 1940 with immense loss of life.

Lancastria's Crew Casualties, listed on the Tower Hill Memorial, through the kindness of Billy McGee.

Tower Hill Memorial Panel 63

ADAMS, Steward, THOMAS A., S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 36.

AMOS, Steward, THOMAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 56. Husband of Miriam Amos, of Liverpool. 

AUSTIN, Steward, JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 48.

BOYLE, Sailor, MICHAEL, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 19. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Boyle, of Liverpool. 

BRADLEY, Sectionman, HERBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 43. Husband of Alice M. Bradley, of Liverpool. 

BRISCOE, Chief Steward, NORMAN LORD, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 49. Son of John and Annie Briscoe, of Liverpool; husband of Alice Mary Briscoe, of Meols, Cheshire. 

CLARKE, Barkeeper, THOMAS LONSDALE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 44. Husband of Ada Frith Clarke, of Troon, Ayrshire. 

COFFEY, Sectionman, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 57.

COMAN, Assistant Steward, WILLIAM J., S.S. Lancastria (London). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 40. Husband of Margaret Coman, of Prestatyn, Flintshire. 

CONNOR, Sailor, ALBERT MICHAEL, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 23. Son of Charles W. and Margaret J. Connor, of Anfield, Liverpool.

CROFT, Trimmer, ERNEST JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 35. Husband of Margaret Croft, of Waterloo, Liverpool.

CUNNINGHAM, Assistant Steward, ALBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 23. Son of John and Elisebeth Cunningham; husband of Hilda Cunningham of Kirkdale, Liverpool. 

DARLEY, Deck Boy, JOHN FREDERICK, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 17. 

DEVLIN, Greaser, THOMAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 55. Husband of Mary Devlin, of Greenock, Renfrewshire. 

DINGLE, Porter, ROBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 30. 

DUCK, Steward, EDWARD DOUGLAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 55. Son of Charles Ready Duck and Anne Jane Duck. 

DUNCAN, Senior Second Engineer Officer, JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 51. King's Commendation for Brave Conduct. Husband of Rita Duncan, of Crosby, Liverpool. 

DUNMORE, Waiter, HERBERT RICHARD, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 53. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herbert Dunmore; husband of Hannah F. Dunmore, of Liverpool. 

EADES, Steward, JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 39. 

FRASER, Chief Master at Arms, ALEXANDER IRVINE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 34. Husband of Annie Kathleen Fraser, of Liverpool. 

FRODSHAM, Steward, THOMAS HENRY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 46. Son of John Henry and Sarah Frodsham; husband of Margaret Helena Frodsham, of Birkenhead. 

GILBERT, Steward, HENRY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 54. Husband of May Gilbert, of Liverpool. 

GREEN, Assistant Cook, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 20. Son of Albert and Alice Green, of Orrell, Bootle, Lancashire. 

HAWES, Able Seaman, ARTHUR LAWSON, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 63. 

HAYDEN, Boatswain, WILLIAM, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 51. Husband of Harriet Hayden, of West Derby, Liverpool. 

HAYNES, Assistant Steward, JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 23. Son of James and Mary E. Haynes, of Birkenhead. 

HILL, Surgeon, JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 44. Son of James and Jessie Gordon Hill; husband of Grace Leisk Hill, of Glasgow. M.B., Ch.B., M.D. 

HUGHES, Waiter, JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 44. Son of Thomas R. and Hannah Hughes; husband of Sarah A. Hughes, of Liverpool. 

ILLIDGE, Waiter, HARRY A., S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 57. 

IMLACH, Seaman, JACOB COWIE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 30. Son of William and Maggie Jean Cowie Imlach, of Portessie, Banffshire. 

JACKSON, Steward, HARRY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 55. 

KELLY, Steward, JAMES ERNEST, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 49. 

KEY, Captain's Steward, STANLEY LOUIS FREDERIC, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 34. 

MAJOR, Greaser, ROBERT GEORGE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 38. Son of Robert and Sarah Ann Major; husband of Lilian Rebecca Major, of Walton, Liverpool. 

MARSHALLSAY, Assistant Barkeeper, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 62. Son of Edward and Margaret Marshallsay; husband of Edith Maud Marshallsay, of Formby, Lancashire. 

MASON, Trimmer, JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 50. 

MOTTERSHEAD, Assistant Cook, WALTER, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 31. Husband of Nellie Mottershead, of Tranmere, Birkenhead. 

McCAW, Storekeeper, SAMUEL ALEXANDER, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 30. 

McGORRIN, Cook, OWEN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 55. Husband of Edith McGorrin, of Dingle, Liverpool. 

OLIVER, Steward, THOMAS JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 57. 

OWEN, Assistant Baker, FREDERICK, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 52. 

PEARSE, Chef, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 51. Son of John and Anne Pearse; husband of Elizabeth Pearse, of Liverpool. 

PORTER, Junior Assistant Purser, CUTHBERT EDGAR, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 31. 

READ, Chief Butcher, THOMAS DOUGLAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 53. Husband of Charlotte Read, of Liverpool. 

ROBERTS, First Officer, RICHARD GORONWY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 54. 

ROGERSON, Steward, ARTHUR, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 60. 

ROWE, Porter, THOMAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 58. 

RYAN, Waiter, EDWARD JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 23. Son of Edward and Louisa Ryan, of Everton, Lancashire. 

SHEPHERD, Dispenser, FRED, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 36. 

SLATER, Steward, WILLIAM H., S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 48. 

SMITH, Steward, JOSEPH EDWIN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 37. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Smith; husband of Helen D. Smith, of Douglas, Isle of Man. 

SNOWDON, Steward, JOHN HERBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 61. Son of John and Kathleen Snowdon; husband of Florence Snowdon, of Liverpool. 

STANTON, Assistant Steward, PATRICK, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 61.

SURTEES, Ordinary Seaman, ROBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kinmond Surtees, of Bootle, Lancashire. 

TAYLOR, Steward, THOMAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 26. 

TEMBY, Porter, EDGAR, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 60. 

TILSTON, Able Seaman, GEORGE HENRY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 30. Son of Edwin and Elizabeth Tilston; husband of Violet Tilston, of Katwijk-Am-Zee, Holland. 

WALSH, Fireman, PATRICK J., S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 33. Son of James Peter and Ellen Walsh, of Liverpool. 

WALTON, Trimmer, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 27. Son of Joseph and Ellen Walton, of Liverpool. 

Buried Ashore 

McDONALD, Steward, JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 60. Buried Pornic War Cemetery. 

RICHARDSON, Assistant Butcher, WILLIAM, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 23rd January 1947. Age 39. Son of Patrick and Mary Richardson, of Liverpool; husband of Marion Richardson, of Liverpool. Buried Liverpool (West Derby) Cemetery. 

ROGERS, Steward, HERBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 48. Buried L’Aiguillion-Sur-Mer Communal Cemetery. 

RUMNEY, Third Officer, REGINALD GORDON, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 45. Buried Pornic War Cemetery.

SMITH, Steward, WILFRED GEORGE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 29. Buried Escoublac-La-Baule War Cemetery.