On This Day

[Raybosailor]

On this day, in 1939, less than 9 hours after the declaration of war, the Donaldson Passenger Liner 'Athenia' was torpedoed and sunk by U30 in position 56.44N 14.05W with the loss of 93 passengers and 19 crew. Thus opening for the British Merchant Navy a period of 5 years during which they sustained heavy losses. Without their sacrifice Britain could not have continued in the war. As a result, today, 3rd September is the official Merchant Navy day.

Approximately 19 million gross tons of allied shipping was lost.

25,864 (46.3%) of British merchant sailors lost their lives.

When a seaman's ship was sunk, his wages stopped.

Dockers were known to steal the emergency rations from lifeboats.

Talk about Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain, Alamein, or D Day. But do not forget the Merchant Navy.

Thanks for that Frank I didn't know it was Merchant Navy Day today, I know only too well what price the sailors of the Merchant Navy paid in the war, my dad was in the Royal Navy and spent much of the war on Arctic Convoys and he used to say "if the German U boats didn't get you the bl**dy rough seas would have a good go at you".
He was on HMS Walker when the ship was so badly damaged by rough seas that they had to shore it up with timbers to limp into Iceland for repair.

[Frank Manning]

HMS Walker... now she was a famous ship.

I spent two years with Donaldson Line, and they were a smashing bunch. Our Marine Super was on Athenia when she was torpedoed.

[Raybosailor]

On this day, in 1939, less than 9 hours after the declaration of war, the Donaldson Passenger Liner 'Athenia' was torpedoed and sunk by U30 in position 56.44N 14.05Wwith the loss of 93 passengers and 19 crew. Thus opening for the British Merchant Navy a period of 5 years during which they sustained heavy losses. Without their sacrifice Britain could not have continued in the war. As a result, today, 3rd September is the official Merchant Navy day.

Approximately 19 million gross tons of allied shipping was lost.

25,864 (46.3%) of British merchant sailors lost their lives.

When a seaman's ship was sunk, his wages stopped.

Dockers were known to steal the emergency rations from lifeboats.

Talk about Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain, Alamein, or D Day. But do not forget the Merchant Navy.

Thanks for that Frank I didn't know it was Merchant Navy Day today, I know only too well what price the sailors of the Merchant Navy paid in the war, my dad was in the Royal Navy and spent much of the war on Arctic Convoys and he used to say "if the German U boats didn't get you the bl**dy rough seas would have a good go at you".
He was on HMS Walker when the ship was so badly damaged by rough seas that they had to shore it up with timbers to limp into Iceland for repair.

With those coordinates it suggests that the Athenia was sailing into or out of a Scottish port or Liverpool have you any idea which Frank.

[Frank Manning]

She sailed from Liverpool and I seem to remember she was on a Cunard charter. I think Cunard had some shares in Donaldson's because they were our agents in Canada, and on my first trip with Donaldsons we too were on charter to Cunard out of Liverpool. Athenia had a sister ship 'Letitia' which became the troop ship 'Empire Brent' in 1946, and then 'Captain Cook' in 1952 when she was chartered to the New Zealand government until being scrapped in 1960. I have recently done a painting of her in the Panama Canal, because I sailed with her 2nd Mate the late Captain Peter Telford.

[Raybosailor]

She sailed from Liverpool and I seem to remember she was on a Cunard charter. I think Cunard had some shares in Donaldson's because they were our agents in Canada, and on my first trip with Donaldsons we too were on charter to Cunard out of Liverpool. Athenia had a sister ship 'Letitia' which became the troop ship 'Empire Brent' in 1946, and then 'Captain Cook' in 1952 when she was chartered to the New Zealand government until being scrapped in 1960. I have recently done a painting of her in the Panama Canal, because I sailed with her 2nd Mate the late Captain Peter Telford.

Interesting Frank thank you, you must post some more of your maritime knowledge on here when the situation arises.

[Raybosailor]

4th. September.

1609 English navigator Henry Hudson, working for the Dutch East India Company, arrived at the island of Manhattan, before sailing up the river that now bears his name.

1815 Sir Humphrey Davy invented the miner's safety lamp.

1884 Britain stopped sending convicts to New South Wales in Australia.

1962 The Beatles started their first recording session at EMI's Abbey Road Studios, London, with their producer, George Martin.

1964 Queen Elizabeth II opened the Forth Road Bridge across the Firth of Forth in Scotland.

1985 The wreck of the Titanic was photographed for the first time, 73 years after it sank.

Births
1901 Sir William Lyons, known as 'Mr. Jaguar'. He was, with fellow motorcycle enthusiast William Walmsley, the co-founder in 1922 of the Swallow Sidecar Company, which became Jaguar Cars Limited after the war. The first 'Jaguar' model, under the company name of SS Cars Ltd. was offered in 1935, but after World War II Lyons changed the company name to Jaguar to avoid the unfortunate connotations of SS Cars Ltd. with the Nazi 'SS'.
1944 David "Harry" Bassett, football manager, In his career he has managed Wimbledon, Watford, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, Leicester City and Southampton. As a player Bassett was a defensive midfielder at semi-professional level, playing for St Albans City.
1949 Tom Watson, American golfer.
1981 Beyoncé,(born Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter) American singer-songwriter.
1990 James Bay, English singer-songwriter and guitarist, "Hold Back The River" is one of his hits.

[Silver_Shiney]

She sailed from Liverpool and I seem to remember she was on a Cunard charter. I think Cunard had some shares in Donaldson's because they were our agents in Canada, and on my first trip with Donaldsons we too were on charter to Cunard out of Liverpool. Athenia had a sister ship 'Letitia' which became the troop ship 'Empire Brent' in 1946, and then 'Captain Cook' in 1952 when she was chartered to the New Zealand government until being scrapped in 1960. I have recently done a painting of her in the Panama Canal, because I sailed with her 2nd Mate the late Captain Peter Telford.

Interesting Frank thank you, you must post some more of your maritime knowledge on here when the situation arises.

Why wait? Why not set up a new thread of "maritime history"?

[Frank Manning]

Well SS having been on the receiving end of some rudeness from a forum member, I am not going to set myself up as an 'aunt sally', just so he can exercise his 'wit' again.

[Raybosailor]

She sailed from Liverpool and I seem to remember she was on a Cunard charter. I think Cunard had some shares in Donaldson's because they were our agents in Canada, and on my first trip with Donaldsons we too were on charter to Cunard out of Liverpool. Athenia had a sister ship 'Letitia' which became the troop ship 'Empire Brent' in 1946, and then 'Captain Cook' in 1952 when she was chartered to the New Zealand government until being scrapped in 1960. I have recently done a painting of her in the Panama Canal, because I sailed with her 2nd Mate the late Captain Peter Telford.

Interesting Frank thank you, you must post some more of your maritime knowledge on here when the situation arises.

Why wait? Why not set up a new thread of "maritime history"?

Good idea Alan, perhaps Frank could author this thread with all his experience in the Merchant Navy, I have a love and interest of the sea but I think Frank would be the man for this. Please Frank will you consider this I am sure that everyone on this forum with their love of cruising would enjoy a maritime history and interesting facts page.

[Frank Manning]

I am currently working on a presentation about the Blue Riband of the North Atlantic to raise funds for The Mission to Seafarers. Just the history, and the rivalries are fascinating for me. WWII ruined the competition, because by 1945 all of the pre war contenders except Cunard had lost their ships. Some of them especially the Normandie, were very beautiful. That bloke Hitler had a lot to answer for. By 1966 the developments in air transport had condemned the great liners to the history books.

[Dancing Queen]

Well SS having been on the receiving end of some rudeness from a forum member, I am not going to set myself up as an 'aunt sally', just so he can exercise his 'wit' again.

Check out the members list Frank we seem to be missing a 'certain' member

[Raybosailor]

5th. September.

1666 The end of the Great Fire of London, that had started on 2nd September on Pudding Lane.

1800 Following a blockade by Admiral Horatio Nelson, French troops surrendered Malta to Britain.

1959 The first trunk dialling system from a public call-box was launched during a ceremonial phone call from Bristol to London.

1963 Christine Keeler, one of the women involved in the Profumo scandal in Britain, was arrested and charged with perjury, I met Christine (not as a client) when I used to leave my bike at an aunts. She was visiting one of the other girls involved in the scandal who lived in a back to back terraced house opposite my aunt who told me "you keep your eyes off those two they are up to no good", they were stunning though.

1969 The British commercial television channel, ITV, began broadcasting in colour, we couldn't afford a colour tv then so we rented one, we had to put coins in a slot at the back.

1979 Lord Mountbatten the Duke of Edinburgh's uncle was buried.

1979 The BBC began broadcasting the hit American series 'Dallas'.

Births
1826 John Wisden, English cricketer and founder of the 'Wisden Cricketers Almanac'.
1935 Johnny Briggs, English actor who played Mike Baldwin on Coronation Street.
1946 Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar)
1962 Tracy Edwards sailor who skippered the first all female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.

[Raybosailor]

6th. September.

1620 149 Pilgrims, The Pilgrim Fathers, set sail from Plymouth in the Mayflower bound for America.

1852 Britain's first free lending library opened, in Manchester.

1866 Three British tea clippers reached London within 2 hours of each other after a 16,000 mile race from China as there were big bonuses for the first ships home with the new season's tea.

1907 The Lusitania set sail from Liverpool for New York on her maiden voyage. She set a record, crossing the Atlantic in five days at an average speed of 23 knots.

1963 Cilla Black signed a contract with Beatles manager Brian Epstein. She changed her name from White to Black after a misprint in the music paper Mersey Beat.

1997 The funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales, was held in Westminster Abbey, London. An estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide watched the service on television.

Births
1930 Charles Foley, American game designer, who has played that silly game 'Twister ?.
1932 Bernie Winters,(born Bernie Weinstein) comedy double act with brother Mike.
1947 Bruce Rioch, footballer and manager born in Aldershot.
1973 Greg Rusedski, tennis player.
1974 Tim Henman, English tennis player.

[Raybosailor]

7th. September.

1838 Grace Darling and her father rescued the crew of the Forfarshire, a steamer wrecked off the Northumberland coast, close to the Longstone Lighthouse where her father was lighthouse keeper.

1895 The first game of what would become known as rugby league football, was played in England.

1931 King George V announced he would be taking a £50,000 a year pay cut due to the economic crisis.

1973 Jackie Stewart became world champion racing driver for the third consecutive year.

Births
1533 Elizabeth I of England.
1912 David Packard, American engineer, co-founded Hewlett-Packard.
1917 Leonard Cheshire VC, founder of the Chesire Homes charity, his second wife Sue Ryder founded the 'Sue Ryder Trust'.
1925 Laura Ashley,fashion designer.
1949 Gloria Gaynor, American singer.

[david63]

To add to the births

1936 - Buddy Holly

and more importantly

1920 - My mother who is 96 today

[qbman1]

To add to the births

1936 - Buddy Holly

and more importantly

1920 - My mother who is 96 today

Blimey, that's a good innings - well done and congratulations to Smurf-Mum

You obviously come from good, healthy stock !

[Silver_Shiney]

Many happy returns to Mrs Smurf snr

'er little boy 'as done her proud

[Frank Manning]

Yes David, the fabulous Buddy Holly; how we danced to his music at The Friendship Club Colwyn Bay in the late 1950's, and how sad we were when he was killed. I always thought those rock and roll stars of the late 50's and very early 60 and 61, were much better than the Beatles.

[Raybosailor]

How did I forget the Great Buddy Holly ?, when I had motor bikes we used to go to 'The By-Pass Cafe' (fondly known to bikers as 'Lil's Caf') and Buddy was always on the Juke Box.

The Beatles were heavily influenced by Buddy Holly which is probably why they were so popular, I go to the 'That'll Be The Day Tour' every time it comes to Nottingham but this year the nearest performances are Mansfield and Leicester.

Happy belated birthday to Mother Smurf.

[Raybosailor]

8th. September.

1888 The first English Football League matches were played, the league was made up by the following teams, Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers and Preston were the champions.

1944 German V2 flying bombs fell on Britain for the first time, at Chiswick in London, killing 3 people.

1966 Queen Elizabeth II officially opened The Severn Bridge (Pont Hafren) linking south Wales with south west England.

1968 Virginia Wade beat American Billie Jean King to win the US Open.

Births
1157 King Richard I (the Lion Heart) was born.
1921 Sir Harry Secombe, entertainer and singer was born.
1925 Peter Sellers, English actor and comedian was born.
1969 Gary Speed, Welsh footballer and manager, tragically died on 27 November 2011, aged only 42.

[qbman1]

Yes David, the fabulous Buddy Holly; how we danced to his music at The Friendship Club Colwyn Bay in the late 1950's, and how sad we were when he was killed. I always thought those rock and roll stars of the late 50's and very early 60 and 61, were much better than the Beatles.

Is it was called "The Friendship Club" now, it would probably be a gay bar !

[Frank Manning]

It was a kind of Youth Club, and I remember it for the great music they played at the time. Sadly poor old Colwyn Bay is not what it was in those days, the new road and cheap overseas holidays has ruined it.

[qbman1]

Sadly, Frank, many of the popular old resorts have gone the same way. All my childhood holidays were spent in Clliftonville, near Margate but that became "Benefits on Sea" in the eighties and nineties ! At least they are now trying hard to regenerate it but regrettably the days of the old style UK seaside holidays are passed. Mind you, the IOW is still battling on - but then they always were 50 years behind !!

[Raybosailor]

Sadly, Frank, many of the popular old resorts have gone the same way. All my childhood holidays were spent in Clliftonville, near Margate but that became "Benefits on Sea" in the eighties and nineties ! At least they are now trying hard to regenerate it but regrettably the days of the old style UK seaside holidays are passed. Mind you, the IOW is still battling on - but then they always were 50 years behind !!

Cromer is one of the old fashioned seaside resorts that seems timeless and the end of the pier show is always on our list of things to do each year, we also went to the Christmas show on the pier last year which was again very entertaining.

We are spending four nights in Southwold in November as Cheryl has never been before and I have not been for some years so I hope it hasn't changed too much.

[Frank Manning]

Yes the IOW struggles on. Personally I love it, whatever. The ferry prices, the state of the roads (dire), some 'iffy' accommodation in places, but somehow, still the charm.

Who remembers the fabulous Craig Douglas from the island 'She was only sixteen'....ah the memories that song evokes. Yes I know I am daft as a brush... but what else is old age for?

Sue would love to go back to Cromer for a holiday, where she spent childhood holidays, but it is a week's camel ride from here.