Borth Seaman (1916)

Disgrifiad

Dyddiad: 17 Tachwedd 1916

Trawsysgrif:

Borth Seaman

[Richard Davies yn ei wisg morwrol]

Seaman RICHARD DAVIES, R.N.R.,
Wesleyan-place, has a son, brother, and nephew in the Navy and a son in the army. He has been thanked by the Admiralty for his excellent work. When the "Van Stirum," a 1.990-ton steamer, was nearing Liverpool last Christmas Day she was attacked by two enemy submarines. After an attempt to escape the Captain decided to abandon his ship and took to the boats. Two men were left on board to lower the boats, but one was killed owing to the submarine a torpedo. Five shells were then fired at the ship. Despite her damage the ship remained afloat. On Christmas Day one of the patrol vessels of the Auxiliary Fleet which had discovered the "Van Stirum" and lowered a boat with four hands, of whom Seaman Richard Davies, Borth, was one, to tow the ship into port. The four brave men pulled to the side and clambered aboard. No sooner had the last man got up than the boat was smashed to pieces against the ship's side and immediately sank. They found that the vessel had been torpedoed in the engine room. The party successfully set the hawser from the port bow to the attendant trawler; but as the steering gear had been jammed she became uncontrollable. Meanwhile the gallant four remained at their post on board. The lieutenant in charge of the trawler made up his mind that he would save them. No sooner had the boat been hauled alongside than the "Van Stirum" suddenly rolled over and went down. The four men managed to slide down the ship's side in time, cut the boat adrift, and push clear.


Ffynhonnell:
'Borth Seaman.' TThe Cambrian News and Welsh Farmers' Gazette. 17 Tach. 1916. 6.