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Messages Page 6 - Starting Jan.-2006
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___________________________________ Dec. 29 From: William Cridland MS Noesaniwi I served on the MS Noesaniwi as the 2nd Radio Officer during WW2 1943 - 1944 I was born in South Wales. I have the ships manifest issued by the port authority in New York City Sept 4th 1943. I attended while in NYC together with several Dutch Officers a meeting discussing Convoy strategy for our trip back to the UK. I can see and remember all my Dutch shipmates and one other British Radio Officer who was the 3rd R/O. The only Dutch phrases they taught me were the swear words which I am fluent. If by chance any crew member who served on the Noesaniwi is reading this please drop me an email at (E-mail address witheld - can be supplied via contact address at the bottom of this page). Bill Cridland Bolton MA USA ___________________________________ From: A Håkon Zachariassen D/S Hallfried First of all I must say these web pages impress me very much. It must have been a tremendous work to collect all the information. The next and only information my family get from him was a red-cross letter send from a prison camp in North Africa. My grandmother told me very little from this letter. But one thing has burn into my brain that it must been very hot working as a slave out in a dessert with a temperature around 50°C. Just for a coincident I read a book called "Tusen Norske Skip", by Lise Lindbæk for a couple of weeks ago and in one of the chapter my grandfather Captain Asvall was mention. He and another captain from Langesund, Captain Solgård, were delivery secret newspapers inside the prison camp. From there on my interest of my grandfather started. Then I start searching on the internet and suddenly I find these impressive pages with all the information and also the moving poem by Karl Hansen. So again thank You for the interesting data base and please give Karl Hansen a very big thanks. That goes for my uncle too. Son of Captain Asvald. Best Regards Here's Hallfried and the poem referred to above. Harpefjell is also available on this site. ___________________________________ Dec. 24 From: John Ross MV Thistle (A717) Date of Message 5th Jan 2006 Alf Rasmusson (John is referring to the very first message of this year at the bottom of this page) ___________________________________ Dec. 24 From: Mark Gaultier Ship BUR I have information about the ship BUR during the last world war in October 1940. I know where she was in the begining of October 1940. My father was in the DE GAULLE headquarter (admiralty). He was to go to CANADA in October 1940 on the BUR who was at that time in NEWPORT (Newport-moon). Mark Gaultier Here's my page about Bur ___________________________________ Dec. 22 From: Mr Jack Coffin Nice site, very professionally done. ___________________________________ From: Bryan Cromwell SS Annavore Decided to take another look at your website and was delighted this time to see a photograph of the D/S Annavore. This was the ship which was torpedoed in December 1941 and in which my grandfather Robert Greenaway (a passenger) lost his life. Here's Annavore ___________________________________ Dec. 17 From: John Stevenson Hello Good Job. ___________________________________ Dec. 10 From: Donald Smith Atlantic convoys Fantastic site. Very comprehensive. I love it and am greatful for all the information on it. ___________________________________ Dec. 7 From: Mady Poelman d'Haene Congratulations I discovered your website while searching for an ancestor who, according to oral family history, was lost at sea when the ship he was on, burned and sank. Apparently, this happened in 1912, but not certain. It definitely was not the Titanic. However, I can't get more info. In any event, I wanted to congratulate you on your website. It is truly awesome. Greetings from Québec, Canada. ___________________________________ From: David Anderson Looking for info about my Father Hello, If you have any info on him, crew list and voyages I would like to make contact. Thank you, Later, in an E-mail, David said: "I would like to make contact with someone who might have known him and for information about the Gudvin and its connection to Canada". Here's my page about Gudvin. I'm afraid the only ships I have crew lists for are those that were sunk. If anyone can help David, I can provide his E-mail address. My contact address is at the bottom of this page. ___________________________________ Dec. 6 From: Steve Udrisky Hey Siri, Came by to take a look at the website. It is amazing how much you have done. Take care. Steve ___________________________________ From: Michael Skretteberg Son of Arne Skretteberg/"Pelagos" Great Site. My father, Arne Skretteberg (1917-2006) served on the whaler 'Pelagos" from 1935-1940. Joined Norwegian Air Force in Toronto, Canada & became sergeant & sports Director at "Little Norway". Married in Toronto to Irene Czajkowski & had 3 kids; Martha, Melvin & Michael. Arne was born in Amot, Modum, Buskerud Norway. He shared much about his time at sea, all fascinating. I'm proud to be his son... Here's my page about Pelagos. ___________________________________ Nov. 27 From: Marlene Sandberg Hurney Your South Dakota relatives You should go into this site: svgs-sd.org to find your ancestors who lived in South Dakota. They have a lot of information. Jasper, MN is just a couple of miles East across the border from Dell Rapids, South Dakota. There is a lot of information on this site for South Eastern South Dakota. It is called Sioux Valley Genealogy Society. I am also related to persons from Nord Trondlag and Sor Trondlag but I do not see any matches with the surnames you listed. My great grandfather was a sailor out of Trondheim. There are many Norwegians in this area. Marlene Sandberg Hurney ___________________________________ Nov. 27 From: F22Raptor Congratulations for your web. Keep the good work! Greetings from Spain. ___________________________________ Nov. 26 From: William Convoy SC 83 I note that in your listing of the ships in convoy SC 83 you are unsure if the 'Windrush' was in fact the US registered 'Wind Rush' - the wind Rush in convoy SC 83 was indeed the US ship. My father was the Chief-Engineer on the SS Wind Rush (owned by the Shepard Steamship Co.) and I know from my mother that he sailed to the UK in May 1942 (from NY) and that after sailing to Russia, he returned on the 'Wind Rush' to the US in convoy ON 166. My congratulations on your site - you clearly have laboured long and hard and it is a very useful tool. I frequently am in the PRO in London and have access to the ADM files - if at times I can be of service, do ask. Sincerely, William Maynard Here's my page for Convoy SC 83 ___________________________________ Nov. 26 From: Pete Smith From: Gudjon Bjarnason/S S induna My grandfather was her captain, in the 1920s I think - and I have a picture of her - if it is possible to contact mr Bjarnason I will have the picture scanned to e-mail to him as a jpeg, if this would be possible. (Gudjon Bjarnason posted a message in Sept.-2003. See also Convoy PQ 13 and Induna's report there) _________________________________ Nov. 25 From: Peter Pennington Sarna I have an elderly cousin who I look after and who was on the Sarna when she was mined in the Suez Canal on 25 February 1941. (I'm not sure, but this may be in reference to an old posting in my Ship Forum in 2002, or possibly a more recent posting). ___________________________________ Nov. 24 From: Brian 'Canuck' Murza H.M.C.S. ST.CROIX I81, H.M.S. ITCHEN K227, H.M.S. POLYANTHUS K47. I enjoyed your web site warsailors.com My late father was a sailor during W.W.II, serving with the R.C.N.V.R. For a precise writing concerning the ships mentioned and convoy ON.202/ONS.18, search the DISCUSSION BOARD-NAVAL HISTORY at www.naval-museum.mb.ca 'Calm Seas and Smooth Sailing'. Brian 'Canuck' Murza, Here's my page about convoys ON 202 / ONS 18, and here's the discussion board mentioned in this message. ___________________________________ Nov. 20 From: Hugo Troberg wwII - grandfather Thank you for a very informative site. This is just what I needed. I have startet collecting information regarding my grandfather Arvid Magnus Troberg. He served in the wwII. I hope this site wil help me get information regarding his life at sea between 1938 -1946. Have a nice day! regards, Hugo Troberg (Hugo has since received help via this thread in my Forum, giving the names of the ships his grandfather served on). ___________________________________ Nov. 19 From: Jill Elton-Wall Contacting Vince Borg re Franconia Do you have an uptodate e-mail address for Vince Borg who appealed for information in Dec 2005 re the sinking of the Franconia? An e-mail sent to (address withheld) was not able to be delivered. I would like to make contact as I had a relative on the same ship and may be able to help his research. (This is in reference to a posting to my Ship Forum. The poster now appears to have a new address, which I do not have). ___________________________________ Nov. 19 From: Robert Torsvik Hansen Grandson of Botolf Torsvik Hi, not sure if we're related somehow, but just thought I'd let you know there are some Torsviks (now Hansens) in the U.S. (Il. & Fl.) my Grandfather, Botolf Torsvik emmigrated from Torsvik Norway, after landing at Ellis island his name was changed to Hansen, my father, a nephew, and myself, were all given Torsvik as a middle name. ___________________________________ Nov. 14 From: Dean 19 Refugees / SS Henry Bacon You have a great Web site! I am quite interested in researching the story of the 19 Norwegian refugees who were initially removed from Norway to Russia - then later boarded the SS Henry Bacon Liberty Ship. Do you know of any information regarding there initial rescue / removal from northern Norway? The name of the boat that took them away? Information on any British SOE agents involved? Thank you very much - I'm a Minnesota Norwegian. Dean My page about Skiensfjord has some info on this incident - see also Idefjord. ___________________________________ Nov. 10 From: Jerry Nice Site! ___________________________________ Nov. 7 From: Ben Hi, this is great work. Have you been to brooklyn? There are a ton of old Norwegian seadogs out there. I passed your site around to my friends who do work in the Norwegian American community here in NYC. I am part Norwegian, my grandmother was born in Tysnes, and also i have slekt in Andalsnes, but most of us are in South Dakota. I also was contacted by a young writer from Norway about this subject and will forward it to her, she is from Bømlo. ja, takk, Ben ___________________________________ Nov. 6 From: Peter Nice site ___________________________________ Nov. 4 From: Eric McKee SS Bengore Head My grandfather served on the Bengore Head for many years I would be interested in a brief history of the ship. Any photographs would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you in advance. Please use my Ship Forum for questions on ships. (See note on Page 1). ___________________________________ Somebody left a message on Nov. 2, but it disappeared due to a problem with my E-mail program. If anyone is missing their message here, please re-send it. ___________________________________ Nov. 1 From: Iris Steensma Love your site! ___________________________________ From: P. Greenland Gabriels San I wanted to write, in case this information is useful. From the Merchant Marine page ... "Trygve Magnussen served as cook on Brimanger until he became ill and had to pay off on June 13-1944. Died on July 25-1945 at Gabriel's (Gabbel's?) Sanatorium, New York." Gabriels (no apostrophe) is a tiny town seven miles north of Saranac Lake, and was home to the Gabriels Saniorium. The sanitorium was founded and run by the Catholic "Sisters of Mercy" and was named for a Catholic leader, Bishop Gabriels. The sanitorium was for tuberculosis patients. The building still stands. Here's Brimanger ___________________________________ From: Gerald Harris m/t Nyholt Dear Siri Lawson, I told you that I intended writing about my father who was killed in action aboard the Nyholt. I have written a background which runs to 4500 words. In it I have mentioned your website and also something of your father's experience at that time. I would like to send it to you as an attachment to an EMail so that you can alter it or add to it as you think best. I will take full account of anything you suggest. Please let me have your EMail address so that I can send it on to you. I am visiting my father's memorial in Portsmouth tomorrow and have not begun writing my account of his war service and death until after I have offered my respects to him. It is thanks to your website that I found out he was commemorated there. Thank you. I will, of course, send you a printed copy of the full work at the appropriate time. With good wishes Gerald Harris PS. I was interested to know that 'Warsailors' is a pejorative term in Norwegian. You may like me to expand my reference to your father to explain this. ___________________________________ From: Per Joergen Olafsen The fate of SS Raceland, DS Trolla and their crew Hello, Able seaman Asbjoern Olafsen (born 16.11.1918) died following the sinking of Panama registered SS Raceland on 28./29. March 1942 (convoy PQ13), while ordinary seaman Trygve Olafsen (born 29.10.1921) survived the torpedoing of Norwegian DS Trolla on 24. August 1942 (convoy ON122). They were both born in Tjoelling, now part of Larvik, Norway. Trygve stills lives there, with wife, children and grandchildren. Best regards Here's Convoy PQ 13 (with info on Raceland), and here's Trolla. ___________________________________ Oct. 24 From: Kristin Ann High Merchant Ship Lists Hullo, and thanks! As the information derives from the Public Records Office, Kew, I presume it is alright if I use the information in giving names to otherwise anonymous merchant ships in Wargames? Here is the citation I intend to use: "Information collected, organized, and presented by Siri Holm Lawson, at http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/hx8.html; based on lists supplied by Roger Griffiths, from the Public Records Office, Kew (Great Britain)." The games are **not** ahistorical "Woflpacks devour convoys", they are the best naval wargames I have ever played (and at 48 years old, that's a fair number!). I believe it is important to provide the names of these otherwise anonymous ships, and the almost-eqially anonymous convoy escorts, even if only in a wargame, so that some of us, at least, will not forget that they were real ships, built by the labour of real women and men, crewed and fought against sea and the Axis navies by real men, whose loss robbed us all. Preaching over. Thanks again ___________________________________ Oct. 24 From: Tordis Jodoin M.S.Kaare I have more detailed information regarding the Novik family who fled Norway on the Kaare. I am a direct descendant. If interested, please do not hesitate to contact me. Personally, I would like to know who translated one of the two books written about the family. Yours sincerely, Tordis Jodoin Kaare II is discussed on this page ___________________________________ From: Dan Vegard Hansen At your website, which I love to visit, you state the following: M/T Glittre Ordinary Seaman Mr. Hansen was my Grandfather and he was NORWEGIAN, born in Sandefjord, Norway. His son is alive and lives in Larvik, Norway. He would appreciate learning more about the ship and to get in contact with survivers alive. Best regards Address can be provided. Here's my page about Glittre. ___________________________________ From: Hans Hauss I think my birth father may have been a crew member on the (M)T Fenris. Wilfred Gulbrandsen Page about Fenris ___________________________________ From: Anne Trandal- Kellett-Mcgoon Kristian E. Trandal Kristian was my father. I am so overjoyed to see you have included his part in History. I have his medals he recieved from the War. I went to see "Trandal" in 1980; see his home place and meet my family in Norway. I have news articles from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA of my father's experiences. Anne is referring to a name found in the crew list for D/S Frisco. ___________________________________ Oct. 6 From: Pam Roper Could you please find me info on the following details. Norweigian lines The WW II Kollskegg is listed on the K-list of this site, Kollgier should probably be Kollgeir (possibly a post war ship). I directed Pam to my Ship Forum (see my Note regarding questions on ships on page 1). ___________________________________ Oct. 5 From: David Tranter CONVOY HX 2 I think another possible Vandyke (all one word) is the Lamport & Holt liner 13241 GRT and built 1921. best wishes Dave Tranter Dave is referring to a ship on this page. ___________________________________ Oct. 6 From: Rev. N Edmonds Nice Site - Very informative. ___________________________________ From: Anne Papendick M/S Duala I am currently writing an account of my husband's early life. His family escaped from Pillau aboard the ship Duala on 25th January 1945. I have been reading about Duala on your website. There does not seem to be any way that the Duala which has been written about there is the same ship. Is it possible that there was another ship sailing under the same name, or is it indeed the same ship? (Here's my page about the Norwegian Duala). ___________________________________ Oct. 2 From: Gerald Harris WW2 NORTH ATLANTIC Dear Siri Lawson, 17/1/42 Nyholt sunk by U-87. 27/1/42 23 survivors rescued by HMCS St Clair (2 later died) 04/3/43 U-87 sunk by HMCS St Croix and HMCS Shediac (no survivors). 20/9/43 HMCS St Croix sunk by U-305 (81 survivors picked up by HMS Itchen). 22/9.43 HMS Itchen sunk by U-666 (only 3 survivors - 2 from Itchen, 1 from St Croix) 16/1/44 U-305 lost with all hands. 10/2/44 U-666 lost with all hands. HMCS St Clair survived the war and was scrapped in October 1946. It will be seen that the train of events linked to the sinking of the Nyholt involved the loss of 6 vessels with some 500 dead and only 24 survivors. Words fail me. Gerald Harris ___________________________________ Oct. 1 From: Jill Pavelle Nils Nesbo(e) At one point in time my grandmother was married to a Norwegian Sea Captain by the name of Nils Nesbo(e). I have a few old photos of this man. My grandmother was interned in Lungwha Camp Shanghai China during the war. After liberation, my grandmother and mother moved to Hong Kong. Is it at all possible that the man in question was indeed Nils M. Nesbo? I so look forward to hearing from you! The above refers to a name found on my page about Norwegian prisoners of the Japanese. ___________________________________ Oct. 1 From: Gerald Harris Robert Griffith Griffiths m/t Nyholt Dear Siri Lawson, Thank you for your kind reply to my earlier guestbook entry. Thank you also for your marvellous initiative in establishing this website. It has led me to discover (through other sites and sources) a huge amount of information which I never hoped to know. I now know, for example, that my paternal grandparents' names were Griffith and Sophia and that my father's death is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common in Hampshire. My wife and I will take a short break in Hampshire around the 28 October (our 45th wedding anniversary) and will visit the Memorial for the first time and pay our respects. I also intend writing the fullest possible account of the sinking of the Nyholt and the fates of all the other vessels linked through to the U-666 lost on 10 February 1944. I shall have the account published privately with a view to donating a copy to the National Library of Wales as a lasting testament to my father's sacrifice and that of all the other young men who did not come home. With sincere gratitude and good wishes. Gerald Harris (See Sept. 25 below) ___________________________________ Oct. 1 From: David Todd Belray I have an old photograph of ms Belray taken by me in the early 1950's (b&w). Will gladly e-mail it to you if you wish. Best Regards I'm always happy to receive pictures. Belray can be found on this page. ___________________________________ Sept. 29 From: Austin H Butler Convoy T J I JUNE-JULY 1943 Hi folks seeking help re the above convoy,the number of ships in this convoy???? or listing,was envolved in helping a young chap years ago, that had a friend on this ship the M V B P NEWTON that was lost on the o8-07-1943,and the person was lost on her. Believe it sailed from TRINIDAD she was a NORWEGIAN TANKER. Have been amazed how many NORWEGIAN SHIPS that were sailing with the UK MERCHANT FLEET IN WW2, having seen same at the NATIONAL ARCHIVES UK. All Norwegian merchant ships sailing for the Allies are discussed on this site, including B P Newton. See links to Norwegian Merchant Fleet and Master Ship Index at the top of this page. ________________________________ Gerald Harris (formerly Griffiths) m/t Nyholt - sunk 17 Jan 1942 I am the son of Robert Griffith Griffiths of the Maritime Regiment of the Royal Artillery who served as a gunner on the Nyholt sunk by U-87. My mother married again in January 1944 to Leslie Harris (my father's best friend) hence my change of name. This website contains so much information that I did not have. It has been quite a shock since although I never knew my father the website does tie in with some of the stories told within the family surrounding the events which led to his death. It is strange, but it is only now as I approach old age that I have begun to think about and to miss my father. If anyone has any information or perhaps even knew him I would very much like to hear from them. Thank you. Gerald Harris Here's my page about Nyholt. If any one knew Gerald's father, I can supply his E-mail address. ___________________________________ Sept. 24 From: Brian K. Lupton S.S. Pan New York, Convoy ON 117 Dear Siri: I have received some material form Joseph Comtois conceerning the S.S. Pan New York. One of the items is a booklet he wrote; titled "Fallen Brother, Unknown Uncle" which was for his children. In that booklet is a Ship Movement card for the S.S. Pan New York; which lists her as being in Convoy ON 117 sailing from Belfast, about 30 July,1942. I know this convoy is not among your lists, however do you know of any way to obtain information on this convoy? I have also recontacted Mr. Comtois via E-Mail and attached some of my grandfather's letters which are loaded on computer disk. If you would be in the need of any of these letters for any research just let me know. Yours truly: I suggested the Public Recors Office in Kew, England. ___________________________________ From: David Timmins Suderøy IV Great site! Here's my page about the Suderøy vessels, referred to above. I'm afraid I don't know how many men the whale catchers' crews consisted of. ___________________________________ Sept. 23 From: Wilfrid Warner June 2003 Silverdawn Astrid Stephan could perhaps be interested in knowing more about this crew. Wilfrid I could help. (Høegh Silverdawn is discussed on this page, includes a crew list. The message [by Astrid Stephen] referred to here was posted on June 22-2003, and can be found on Page 3 of the Guestbook). ___________________________________ Sept. 22 From: Brian K. Lupton S.S. Pan New York, Convoy ON 117 Dear Siri: I just wanted to let you know that I have found the S.S. Pan New York returned to New York from Iceland via Belfast; in Convoy ON 117, unfortunately this convoy is not on your list. In my grandfather's letters the ship was at Avonmouth, England, therefore it must have proceeded to Belfast from there. I discovered this fact from documents that were sent to me from Mr. Joseph W. Comtois. Your website was correct in that he has some declassified U.S. Navy documents; which are in a booklet he made for his children; titled "Fallen Brother, Unknown Uncle". I have E-Mailed him several times; and I have advised him that I will provide him with any additional information I may have in my grandfather's letters. Sincerely yours: (This is in relation to previous messages, posted further down on this page). ___________________________________ Sept. 21 From: HERRENCHMIDT President Herrenschmidt On the Warsailors site we found: "M/T President Herrenschmidt NS * later raised Sigvald Bergesen, Stavanger 9103 gt This boat is unknown to our family of which I am the genealogist. You can consult my site: www.herrenschmidt-genealogie.com The above is quoted from my own text about President Herrenschmidt - I'm unable to help with this question, nor do I have a picture. ___________________________________ Sept. 18 From: David Tranter Lloyd's Registers. In a recent message you mentioned the difficulty in finding war time Lloyd's registers and their very high cost if found. I agree completely. However, I have just found a new site which is copying all Lloyd's Registers between 1930 and 1945 on to the net. The site is www.plimsollshipdata.org It appears that most of the 1940 to 1945 registers have been transcribed but the arlier volumes are a little patchy. There is a search engine on the site. I hope that you find this of use. best wishes David Tranter. Thank you! Very useful indeed! ___________________________________ Sept. 18 From: John Blackman Site Layout You have set out this site in a simple easy to use fashion, i enjoyed veiwing it. ___________________________________ Sept. 17 From: Brian K. Lupton S.S. H.M. Flagler Dear Siri: I am contacting you just to inform you that the S.S. H.M. Flagler and the S.S. Henry M. Flagler must be two different ships. I discovered that the S.S. H.M. Flagler was still operational as an Esso Fleet tanker through 1944. Thank you so much: Brian K. Lupton The Panamanian H. M. Flagler is listed in several convoys on my site - they can be found by running a search through the Search page. This ship was built in 1918, while the much smaller Henry M. Flagler was built in 1914. ___________________________________ Sept. 15 From: Tony Rees RMS/HMS Edinburgh Castle My father served aboard this vessel at Freetown from 40-42, being the RM Printer of the C-in-C's Office, South Atlantic. I would like to post on the thread that relates to Freetown and would appreciate if you could register me to do so. Regards Tony Rees (Tony is referring to my Ship Forum, to which he has to register himself through this page) ___________________________________ Sept. 14 From: Brian K. Lupton Mr. Joseph Comtois Dear Siri: Just a quick note to thank you very much. I have made contact with Mr. Comtois via the E-mail address you provided. He is sending me copies of the information he has on the S.S. Pan New York. I mentioned it to him; however I do not believe I informed you in earlier E-mails from myself, that someone aboard that ship, possibly the radioman, had seen my grandfather still alive just after it was torpedoed. I was told that whoever saw my grandfather alive was going to the gasmask locker, and my grandfather was behind him. When this person turned around my grandfather had disappeared. My guess is that maybe since he was 3rd Mate, he was attempting to proceed to shut off the ventilators that were sucking flames into the ship. In conclusion I really appreciate your help and just let me know if any of the information I can receive would assist you. Sincerely: Brian K. Lupton ___________________________________ From: Bjørn Ingebrigtsen, Bergen, Norway Free Fleet Hei/hello Siri. All the best PS The ship referred to in this message is discussed here. ___________________________________ Sept. 11 From: Eddie Thompson Your site War sailors I would like to thank you for all your hard work, it will take me ages to go through it all, a real joy and pleasure it will become, now bookmarked. A jewel in the Crown, without a doubt. I also have joined up as a youngster, being as I served after the War on Norwegian ships. Einar Rasmussen Rederi Kristiansand South, joining my first ship MT Polyglory from Kwinana in Western Australia. Once again, Bravo Zulu for a great site. ___________________________________ Sept. 11 From: Dr Frank This is great ___________________________________ Sept. 10 From: Diane Sharrier Sandra Sloly Ref: message posted on Feb 22 from Sandra Sloly-Adamson I believe I know of the whereabouts of Hector Sloly. Can you please supply me with Sandra's email or postal address so that I can make contact. Sandra's message was as follows: Febr. 22 From: Sandra Sloly Hector Sloly Mr. Hector Sloly is my father he served on the Royal Navy 1943-1945 his last ship was Jamaica Planter, also he was a merchant seaman who visited Jamaica until it sank, he now resides in England. I was born in Kingston Jamaica w.i. (The message referred to above can be found under Febr. 22 further down on this page). ___________________________________ Sept. 7 From: David Tranter Convoy HG 79 Dewdale was a RFA tanker built in 1941 and survived the war. (From Lloyd's 1946/47) Edencrag was British, owned by Magee, Son & Company and was sunk on 14.12.1942 by U.443 (From Tennent) With best wishes David Tranter. Here's Convoy HG 79. ___________________________________ Sept. 6 From: Brian K. Lupton My Grandfathers U.S. Merchant Service Dear Siri: Thank you very much for your assistance: Brian K. Lupton (Brian, I sent you the E-mail address again via regular E-mail, as well as a casualty list for Pan New York. Hopefully, you've received it). ___________________________________ Sept. 6 From: Brian K. Lupton Joseph W. Comtois E-Mail address Dear Siri: In closing I would like to commend you on an excellent website and wish you well. Thank you very much: Brian K. Lupton Brian, I have replied to all of your Guestbook messages by E-mail, using the address you left in each message. In my first mail to you I gave you Mr. Comtoi's E-mail address. Perhaps it would be safer to send me a rgular E-mail mail, using either the address I sent my own mails from, or the one provided at the bottom of this page, rather than contacting me through the Guestbook - that way I know for sure I've reached you. (Also, Guestbook messages have to be physically added to the website by me, and uploaded before you can see them). ___________________________________ Sept. 5 From: Brian K. Lupton Question concerning S.S. Acme HX 209 I am somewhat perplexed about the status of the S.S. Acme. In a letter from my grandfather dated 12 July 1942; he states that he observed his old ship the Acme torpedoed and sunk, with all crew saved. Sincerely Quite curious: Brian K. Lupton P.S. If possible could you determine what U.S. shipping line this tanker belonged to. As far as I can determine, no ship named Acme was sunk during WW II, nor can I find any ship by this name torpedoed and damged on the date of this letter. The one torpedoed and damaged in March-1942 and the one in Convoy HX 209 in Sept. of that same year have the same tonnage, so is probably one and the same ship. For more on Acme's history, I suggested U-boat Net's page about this ship. ___________________________________ Sept. 4 From: Andy Leiper Secret Norwegian naval base Peterhead I have photos of some crew members of the cutters. One family in Norway were delighted with one taken on 1944, it was the last picture of him, sadly to say he was killed on 1945. He was a lieutenant on board a m.t.b. Regards Andy. ___________________________________ From: Brian K. Lupton Information about S.S. Pan New York in Convoy ON-124 I noticed on one of your web pages that there was some confusion as to whether or not the American ship S.S. Pan New York was in Convoy ON-124. I have some letters from my grandfather; on computer disk, who was stationed with the Pan New York at that time. He wrote to my grandmother on 3 Sept. 1942 that they were preparing to sail from New York Harbor. Therefore since Convoy ON-124 did not arrive in Boston until 6 Sept. 1942, the S.S. Pan New York could not have been the ship listed in that convoy. Hope this helps with your information: P.S. Your Website is spectacular in providing key and necessary information about these convoys!!! Here's convoy ON 124 (there was originally a question as to whether the Pan York in this convoy, was Pan New York). ___________________________________ Sept. 3 From: William Conran MV Thorsile My standing joke is....Oh yes I did time in Oklahoma ..Oh were you in prison there?...Oh no it just felt that way. Please say hello to Dr.Harris Moreland for me. I actually started out to get info on S.S.Bluejacket..an incident in the Falkland Islands.coming from New Zealand....people including Charlotte Conran Saxon in lifeboats for some weeks? Eventually survived..to die in England 1891. A ship named Bluejacket rams the coast of South England but this is later..1898...probably a later Bluejacket. Oh and the Thorsile..Fiji to San Francisco...1957..saw her at pier in S.F. years later but no no more? Cheers Bill Conran in Reno. (I suggested a query to my Ship Forum) ___________________________________ From: Andy Leiper Secret Norwegian naval base, Peterhead This was a base for Norwegian fishing cutters from 1941 to 1945 used to take it was not declassified until 1980. I worked aboard these & the m.t.b boats from 1941 to 1945 with a team of engineers. Sadly to say I am the only survivor left who worked on the base at the age of 83. I have written my memories with photos, and put them into the museum in memory of all the brave lads who lost their lives. This operation was different from the Shetland Bus fab by the Norwegian Intelligence Service . I was prompted by your escaping boats many of which I recognised Best regards Andy ___________________________________ Sept. 1 From: Wendy Briscoe R.N Grave Vadsø Norway On a recent trip to Vadsø to visit Relatives, I came across a War Grave with the Name Edward J. Howard Midshipman He Served on HMS Active. I Would love to solve the mystery why he was so far away fom home. Kind Regards I suggested various tings, including a Google search for HMS Active. ___________________________________ From: Barry Morgan D/S Bjørnvik Following a recent death in our family I found your articles on D/S Bjørnvik. I was able to fill in the blanks in our family history and can help you fill in one of yours. The Thomas Davies you cannot trace was Thomas George Davies of Swansea South Wales, he was 16 1/2 years old and was on his first trip. He signed on in Newport after running away to sea. He was my uncle. Our family believed the ship had been mined, your article has been of great help. Thank you Here's my page about Bjørnvik. ___________________________________ From: Michael Holtermann M/S Randsfjord I want to thank you for taking time to research and post all this information about war sailors. This is the first time I've found any information that could confirm one of the stories I grew up with told by my father Jan Holtermann who died about 30 years ago. He was one of the survivors when M/S Randsfjord was hit by a torpedo in 1940, and I remember him telling about the bottle of Brandy. We were told the submarine was German. My father was awarded a war medal many years after his death as happened with so many sailors from the "Nortraships flåten." It's incredible to read this story so many years later. With deepest respect, Michael Henrik Holtermann Here's my page about Randsfjord. ___________________________________ From: Brian K. Lupton My Grandfather's U.S. Merchant Service I read on you site about my grandfather's ship the S.S. Pan New York. I wish to contact Mr. Joseph W. Comtois to learn more surrounding the sinking of that ship. My father stated that the radioman survived; and saw my grandfather still alive, until they reached the gasmask lockers. My grandfather had his Chief's Mates license but was sailing as Third Mate. I have some letters to my grandmother for the last few months he sailed on CD disks. He also sailed aboard a ship the S.S. H.M. Flagler (or Henry M. Flagler), dated 2 Sept. 1939(or 37 his cursive writing?). Could you assist me on obtaining the voyage date for that ship? Please!!! Thank you very much: Brian K. Lupton The info referred to here is on my page about Convoy HX 212. Mr. Comtois posted to the Guestbook on Aug. 17-2004. I have passed on his E-mail address. I'm afraid I cannot help with any voyage info for Henry M. Flagler, but H. M. Flagler is listed in some of the convoys on this site (they can be found through my Search page, using "Flagler" as search word). ___________________________________ From: John Bedigan Operation Performance Thank you for a rather wonderful website. It was quite a discovery last year to find so much detail about the operation, particularly the ship lists. My dad, also John Bedigan is listed as crew on the Norwegian freigher 'Charente' and I have been the willing listener to many stories. He wrote a book, privately published, which of course gives his experiences. He's still healthy at age 85 and retired as a master in 1974, then as a deep sea pilot in 1987. I wonder if there are any survivors from the ship, or children of survivors who might like to share any of their recollections. John Bedigan Here's a link to my crew list for Charente. I can pass on John's E-mail address. ___________________________________ From: Ian Smith M/T Strix - Convoy SL68 Many thanks for your website, it is material like this which reminds me that we do not give sufficient respect to a generation now departing who saw a world that we should hope never to see. After the recent death of my uncle Mr James McCallum, I was sorting through his papers when I found a log of the lifeboat voyage kept by the survivors of Clan MacNab after their collision with M/T Strix. The log covers the sinking of Clan MacNab and the subsequent voyage under sail to Cape Verde. Even as a former merchant navy officer myself I cannot begin to imagine the lives that these men led so imagine my astonishment to find the other half of this story on your website. Would you be be prepared to publish the text of this log on your site so that the story can be complete. yours Ian Smith (ex R/O BP Shipping) Here's my page about Strix. ___________________________________ From David Tranter Convoy HGF.29 Follwing from Graeme Somner's book "From 70 North to 70 South". Sabra British /ex- Nor. Haval II '31 I strongly suspect that the three whalers marked 'nothing known at this time' are British. David Tranter Here's the convoy referred to. ___________________________________ Aug. 23 From: David Tranter Convoy HG.56 I hope that the following information will be of use. Crane 758/37 British ~ General Steam Nav. Co. Ltd. >From Lloyd's 1946/47 Aldergrove 1974/18 Sunk by U-boat 23.08.1941 Escorts: Arabis (Flower Class Corvette) completed 05.04.1940 ~ 1942 in U.S.N. Sardonyx (Correct Name) ~ Old WW.I destroyer. Leopard (French) Destroyer ~ served with Free French and wrecked 27.05.1943. Waterman ~ unable to identify this vessel ~ could it be the old destroyer Watchman ? Olympus was a submarine. I hope that the above will be of use. David Tranter Here's Convoy HG 56 ___________________________________ From: Ole Johan Bryn Petersen Kvarstad Baatene I got the link to this page from my big brother who lives in London. Our Father, Kaare Bryn Petersen, Second Mate aboard MT Lind, did not talk much about the war, but I did get some war stories out of him before he passed away from lung cancer in -92, and later from one of his note books he kept in an old desk, recovered years later. MT Lind was the slowest ship, and I believe the smallest, and that could have been working in their favour since the German Armed trawlers were more interested in the bigger vessels, carrying more cargo. He was happy to reach the UK, but at the same time, the destiny of many of the ones that did not make it, disturbed him for the rest of his life. The brave, but less lucky, were in his thoughts till the very end and until this day, I regret not having asked more questions about his life to sea ( I guess I was too young at the time...) , and especially what he lived through during the Kvarstad affair. Your page helped fill that void, it is just fantastic. I am not used to a web page that provokes tears in my eyes.... Ole Johan Bryn Petersen Here's my section on Operation Performance. ___________________________________ From: Eric Macdonald Keys D/S Stargard I am impressed reading your wonderful pages. In particular I was interested in the D/S Stargard as it was one of the ships on which my father sailed in 1941. Dad never spoke much about his war years but did say that he was on deck when the Stargard was hit and the concussion blew him right out of his laced up boots. He next remembers being revived on one the British vessels that picked up survivors. He and two other, including Jacobsen then cook, were on his particular rescuer. Amongst the many folds of the cook's coat, Dad remembers that Jacobsen had secreted the ship's cat. The cat seems to be missing from your survivors' list. Thanks for the great pages and the little bit of history I can add to my father's file. Too bad he didn't live to read your pages which he would've done with much zeal and interest. Here's my page about Stargard. ___________________________________ Aug. 13 From: Laurel Bergren Edward Wullum I am looking for information on Edwar Wullum. He died in a shipwreck off the Cape of Good Hope in the late 1880's or early 1890's. He was my Grandfather's father. Edward or Edvard (V)Wullum was the captain of a ship: I don't know the name or what kind of ship. He was from Trondheim; Var Frues Kirke has him listed as Einar Wullum's father and a seaman. As my mother has told me, years after the shipwreck was reported someone brought the ship log to our house in Chicago. I never saw the log, and my mother does not know what happened to it. I am searching for relatives in Norway. Any information is appreciated. Thank you. I suggested the National Archives of Norway website, and the Norway Heritage Project website, which both have discussion forums. ___________________________________ Aug. 9 From: James Greene Conquistador My father was skipper on the hmt Kennymore on the 25 nov 1940, in the Thames Estuary the kennymore was sunk by a mine. My Father and some of the crew were rescued by the trawler Conquistador. On the way in to land with the survivers the Conquistador was in collision with another ship and also sank, my father spent several months in hospital in Sheerness. What I would like to find out is how many crew where on the Kennymore, how many survived, and wich ship collided with the Conquistador and who took them into Sheerness after the collision. I do hope this is not too much to ask but any information would be most helpful. I've suggested my Ship Forum for this query. ___________________________________ From: Eric Byron MV TORONTO I was a Radio Operator on the Toronto from June 1944 until July 1945 and would like to have the details of the voyage of that period if possible. I remember sailing to South Africa, South America, USA, East and West Africa and Italy but the order escapes me. I'm afraid I can't help with this. Here's what I have on Toronto (on which my father served as radio operator after the war). ___________________________________ Aug. 3 From: Patricia Thomson MV OA Knudsen Sorry I did not use your forum for my enquiry but I could not find a search box on the ship forum. However I think that the Kaia Knudsen in your ship list is probably the one that I was looking for. Again, see my note below. I think what might be confusing Patricia is that she has the name as MVOA Knudsen. ___________________________________ Aug. 3 From: Patricia Thomson MV OA Knudsen My brother-in-law served on this oil tanker in 1940. He was 19 and in effect ran away to sea as he didn't like the war time job to which he was assigned. He was taken on as a deck boy. Unfortunately this ship is not in your list of ships. Can you give me any information as to how I can find out what happened to this ship? She was 22,000 tons and built in Hamburg. O.A. Knudsen is listed on Ships starting with O, as well as on a separate page. ___________________________________ July 30 From: Ian Menzies Golar Freeze Dear Madam, I was researching an old ship of mine when I came across your excellent web sight. I think it's really important that someone document this way of life as it has nearly disappeared from Norway forever. (I work for one of the last great old Norwegian family owned shipping lines~Wilhelmsen) Any way I have in my file a photo of Golar Freeze departing Tokyo bay in the mid/ late 70's. Arounnd 77, I think. Please let me know and I can forward it to you. Best of luck with your research. regards, Ian Menzies Golar Freeze was one of my father's ships. ___________________________________ July 27 From: Jennifer Clark Einar Forsman history Who was looking for history on Einar Forsman? I wonder if you are looking for was my father and just recently passed away. 2 people have posted to my Guestbook re someone named Einar Forsman, one on Oct. 29-1941, the other on Sept. 30-2004. ___________________________________ From: David Tranter Convoy RU 12 The following mainly from Lloyd's 1946/47 and Starke Registers. Keila Skagen Ronan I think that the 'Stockport' mentioned is the Convoy Rescue Ship which according to Arnold Hague's book arrived at Reykjavik. Hoping that the above information will help. David Tranter ___________________________________ July 17 From: Graham Moore M/T Solheim Just a quick message to say that the photo of Solheim is the postwar vessel ( ex. Norbris ). I have a print of the same photo which was taken by Skyfotos, I believe in 1953. It is certainly post-war as the company did not start operations until at least 1948. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of the Solheim of 1934 which was lost in the war, but recognition drawings in the 1942 Talbot-Booths Merchant Ships bear this out. I'm looking at the history of Hvalfangersselskapet Norge A/S at the moment, so there's a few Sols to sort out ! Cheers, Graham The picture Graham is referring to used to be on my page about Solheim, but has now been moved to Norbris. ___________________________________ July 15 From: James Ray Adams Ship Name In 1945, I sailed from Norfolk, VA to Oran, Algeria in a convey. I cannot recall the name of the ship. It was a c-3 motor vehicle piston type ship. We went from Oran to Marsell, France and then returned back to the states. I need the information for my Vet. benefits. Thanks for any help you may be able to provide. Sincerely, Ray Adams I have no way of assisting with this. ___________________________________ July 13 From: Jose Gonzalez Empire Warrior - 37º06´49´´N 007º23´48´´W I dive in the Empire Warrior. I dont speak English, sorry. ___________________________________ July 13 From: Hugh MacLean ss Baluchistan Hello Siri, Have been back to your site often and am still trying to take in the amount of information that you have made available on your site. Great credit to you. I was reading through your Guestbook and noticed the entry from Stuart Smith Walton below. I believe he may have seen the picture of Balucistan from my website. If he would like to get in touch he can contact me via my website. http://www.sscityofcairo.co.uk/u68.php Thanks again Hugh is referring the a message posted on Jan. 22 this year (further down on this page). I've provided him with the E-mail address. ___________________________________ July 13 From: Wayne McKay Maloja sign (plaque) I wanted to send you a photo, but this will have to do. I have aquired 2 large signs or shields that I was told came off of a ship. They depict an oval shield under a sun with four countries shown possiably India, Rome, asia & Egypt. In the center of this is a masted ship which I believe has a steam paddle on it under this crest it has writted Quis Separabit further down it has Maloja engraved Would you have any Idea if these belong to the M/S Maloja? All the best I'm unable to help with this request. ___________________________________ July 5 From: Ray Cooke My father served on a number of Norwegian merchant ships during WW11. Those I have managed to trace are; Berto, Kul and Lysland. His name was Samuel Wilson Cooke and he died some years ago. On many a night he would tell his tales of the war years at sea but I have only tales which have faded with the passage of years. I am 58years old. b. 1948. I am researching his 'sealife' and any help you may give would be appreciated. His ID Card is number BS 01273 but I also have a photo of him from an ID card holding the number R10781 on a sign over his chest. He was a boatswain. Thank You Sir ___________________________________ July 4 From: Gillian Hopkins CHARENTE 1941 My name is Gillian Hopkins and I'm trying to find information on my Grandfather Francis Reginald George Hall who was a 4th Engineer and was on the CHARENTE when they scuttled her, he then ended up in MILAG NORD POW No was 623. I would like information on who he served with and what it was like for the crew in OPERATION PERFORMANCE and any other information like did anyone know him I would be very gratefull as his grand daughter I never knew him. Hope to hear from you soon. ___________________________________ July 4 From: Richard Ng Anna Odland This is a wonderful and comprehensive website that is very informative and beautifully done. I have seen a bell in someone's possession in Malaysia which has the name "Anna Odland - 1950" enbossed on it. I understood that this bell was obtained in Chittagong some years ago but wonder about the authenticity of the bell. Since the Anna Odland was produced in 1939 and subsequently Anna Odland 2 in 1961, I wonder why the the date 1950 is embossed on the bell. ___________________________________ July 2 From: Kelly Simrajh For your "Kos Whale Catchers" page. 1947 "Kos 32" 1947 "Kos 31" http://www.lardex.net/framnes/fram3.htm Kelly Simrajh (Australia) ___________________________________ June 30 From: Paul Sturrock Very Interesting site... ___________________________________ From: Elizabeth Rossvold Hello! My name is Elizabeth, daughter of Øyvind Rossvold, son of Kari Holm and Kyrre Rossvold. I have never seen pictures from my family on my fathers side. I have a son now, his name is Ruben and he's 10 years old. We live in Trondheim. It was nice knowing about my relatives. Thank you. From Elizabeth and Ruben Rossvold Elizabeth is referring to information found in my Genealogy Database - Kari Holm was my father's sister. ___________________________________ From: Justin Andersen Thorøy Hello In an earlier entry I said my father was Chief Officer and wireless operator on the Thorøy during WW 2. You refer to the bombing in Bristol. I have just been talking to my aunt (his sister) who had been in contact with a fellow sailor who was badly injured in the leg (later amputated) by the bomb. He said my father stayed with him during the raid and by applying torniquets saved his life until the ambulance was able to get through. Your site must be about the best on the web!! Keep up the good work Justin Andersen (Here's the Thorøy referred to). ___________________________________ June 19 From: James T. Kirk Exellent site, keep up the good work. ___________________________________ June 19 From: Rev. Shaw Moore Great Work, Take a bow. ___________________________________ June 16 From: Tine MacKay War service Hi, My uncle, Hilmar Thuv served as a Merchant Marine during WWII. My mother, Alma Thuv, and her sister and brother, Laura and Odd Thuv, were sent to Drumtochty Castle in Scotland for the duration of the war. They are from A i Lofoten. ___________________________________ June 14 From: Karla Hetland Weir 1938 Hetland Reunion Hi Siri! Karla Hetland Weir (The picture in question can be found on this page - Lars Hetland was actually my grandmother's grandfather). ___________________________________ From: David Tranter Convoy RU 17/RU18 RU.17 Coxwold - British 1124/38 The Danish vessels were all taken over by the MOWT and placed under managment by British companies such as Ellerman's Wilson Line. I'm not sure about the tug. As there was no Danish Government in exile in London, I believe that all Danish ships were seized and placed under the British flag for legal reasons. Convoy RU.18 Tomsk - Danish 1229/11 A large number of the small ex- Danish ships appear to have been employed to/from Iceland. All the above must be considered to be "Best gusses" but I think that they will be correct. From the the remarks in RU.17 under 'Sado' it appears that the tonnage was given in the original documents for most ships ~ is this correct ? With best wishes David Tranter Here's my page for RU 17, and here's RU 18. ___________________________________ June 13 From: David Mosdale M/S MOSDALE Please if you can answer a question for me, which is- who was the M/S MOSDALE named after ??? as you can see I am a Mosdale from England born and raised till I was 15 then we moved to the U.S. By the way this site is absolutley fantastic, hats of to you and who ever else helped, I have spent the last half a day looking thru this whole site, very good. David Mosdale (I'm not sure that Mosdale was named after anybody in particular. Her manager, Martin Mosvold, named a lot of his ships with names starting with Mos. Here are a few of the WW II ones) ___________________________________ From: David Tranter Convoys HG.29 & HG30 I am sending you the following information which I hope will be of use. I think that all the vessels mentioned were requisitioned at the end of the 1939/40 whaling season. Returning to the U.K. for conversion they would have been in the Gibralter area about the time these two convoys sailed for the U.K. The following information is from "From 70 North to 70 South" by Graeme Somner. ISBN 0 9509 199 0 X HG.29 Southern Breeze 344/36 HG.30 Silja 251/29 Best wishes Dave Tranter Here's my page about HG 29 and here's HG 30. ___________________________________ June 8 From: Jeffrey Fox My grandfather My grandfather was in world war 2 and it is nice to learn about parts of the war I had no idea about. ___________________________________ May 21 From: Dena Palmer How does someone find information How does someone find information on someones sailing record if you only have his name and that he was a chief engineer aboard a Norwegian Merchant Ship that sailed regularly into Liverpool England in the late forties as I am a family history researcher and I am looking for this information for a friend and found this great site from google and hope you can give me some pointers. (See my text towards the end of this page, as well as this external site. If the seaman was British, the Public Records Office at Kew might be another option). ___________________________________ From: Andrew Thurson Wonderful website Under the heading of M/S BILL, you refer to me, wondering whether I could possibly be crew member Arnfinn Torkildsen. Yes, I anglicized my name when I became a US citizen in 1953. Recently became aware of your site thanks to the daughter of a deceased SSH gunner, Oddvin Liseth. For more than 30 years my avocation was Norwegian sailors, their histories, etc. during WWII. I edited a newsletter sent to all known US and Canadian gunners. In January of 2001 I had a paralyzing stroke. I know that we will have much enjoyment from your website. Looking up former shipmates has given me great pleasure. Andrew Thurson a/k/a Arnfinn Torkildsen Here's my page about Bill. ___________________________________ May 15 From: Sheila Rowat Father Hello, my father, Ole Nyland came to Toronto, Ontario, Canada to be trained as a pilot at Little Norway in Toronto. I have contacted both the consulate in Ottawa and Toronto to no avail. Would you be able to give me any idea where to start? All I have is his name and that he came from Oslo. Mother is deceased and there is no futher info available to me. I understand that there may be other children in Norway. Would appreciate any help you may be able to offer. Thank you, Sheila Rowat (I have Sheila's address) ___________________________________ May 15 From: Chris Smith Re-registering Hi (This has now been remedied - Chris is referring to my Ship Forum) ________________________________ May 13 Samson Calhoun Docs You have a wonderful site. As a collector of 19th century shipping documents, I found your site particularly fascinating. I look forward to many more visits. ___________________________________ May 12th From: Den This is a wonderful wealth of information. Good Luck! ___________________________________ May 9 From: KRISTINE COOK TRYGVE GRANMO I FIND THIS SITE VERY INTERESTING. MY GRANDFATHER, TRYGVE GRANMO WAS FROM BERGEN, NORWAY AND I WONDER IF ANYONE WAS RELATED TO HIM. I WOULD LOVE TO FIND SOMEONE OR EVEN SOMEONE WHO KNEW HIM. ___________________________________ From: Carl Ottersen M/S Siranger I was hoping to find out more of this ship, as I am in the process of scanning in my father's old fotos, and amongst the notes to the negatives came the name Siranger. My father, Finn Georg Ottersen, was a teenager at the time; my grandfather Reinhold Bastian Ottersen, was the resident surveyor in Trieste for Det Norske Veritas. The Siranger was built under his supervision, in 1938-39. The fotos, taken by my father up in the stands, are of her launching. Happy to send you them if you like. Hilsen! Here's my page about Siranger. ___________________________________ From: Greg Slager SS Brask Thank you for the Great site. My Grandfather was the 1st Engineer on the Brask. I located some information several years ago. The presentation you have prepared is outstanding. I have a black and white photo of the Brask that was taken off the coast of Africa. Thank You Here's my page about Brask ___________________________________ From: Mary Ward Crew Member on "Basilea" 1943/1944 A friend of mine served on the Basilea during World War Two and is rather keen to gain as much information as possible. I have printed details of the ship from your website together with photographs and now he is curious about the various Norwegian War Medals. No doubt he would be eligible for some form of medal recognition so perhaps you can assist with a contact address where he can check up on this. In view of the fact that he was very young when he served on this ship he thinks he may be the only survivor. He can also give you information in respect of the captain's death which is written up as "unknown cause" in your website. If you could make contact with him that would be absolutely brilliant - he does not have a computer but his contact details are as follows: I do not mind if you make contact with him through my e-mail address as I would contact him immediately with any information in respect of the above. Here's what little I have on Basilea. ___________________________________ Apr. 19 From: Sebastiano Gernone Charles Henderson Bari 1945 I am Italian and I live in Bari. About the Charles Henderson every year in the date 9 April we have a celebration in the place in which there had been the explotion of the ship. Sebastiano Gernone ___________________________________ Apr. 18 From: Bill Love the site!! ___________________________________ Apr. 17 From: David Tranter Convoy SC.122 The following from 'Ships Without Names' by Brian MacDermott. ISBN 1-854409-126-3 LST 305 LST 365 A Great Site ~ one of the best best wishes David Tranter Here's Convoy SC 122 on this site (I was unsure of the nationality of the 2 LST's) ___________________________________ Apr. 11 From: Jennifer Just found your home page its great, it looks like you folks do great service, keep up the good work. ___________________________________ Apr. 10 From: Irving Tricyu Just Right This is just the right thing that I was looking for, thank you! ___________________________________ Apr. 9 From: Betty Bennett Liberty Ship ww11 I have a picture of a ship and at the bottom of the picture it say Liberty Ship world War 11 and on the side of the ship it says A. Lacy Rollins. It looks to be a pencil stetch drawing. On the back it does have a label that says Meyers Photo Shop Pictures and picture framing 2-2020 325 N. Robinson. Doesn't give a city or state. Under that in pencil handwriting it says March 8, 1944. Then under that there are three initials that look like EGT. That is all the information I have. I can't find any information on the part that says A. Lacy Rollins that is written on the side of the ship. If you could tell me any information on where to look further I would appreciate it. (I can't find a Liberty Ship by this name) ___________________________________ Apr. 7 From: Etta Interesting site. Didn't know what I was getting myself into when I clicked on a link and was taken here, but all in all, great job! ___________________________________ From: Rick Pitz M/T Thorhild, BP Newton, Sommerstad Hi. Thanks for the excellent site! I have some additional information on several ships that I am happy to share. The M/T Thorhild was part of Convoy HK-106 Subsidiary, leaving Pilottown, LA on 27-Sept-1942, to join the main body of Convoy HK-106 (which left Bolivar Roads on 25-Sep). This convoy sailed to Key West, Florida, arriving 29-Sep-1942. Thorhild was listed as final destination UK, so I assume she picked up another convoy in Key West. There were 12 ships in the subsidiary convoy (Thorhild was the only Norwegian vessel). The main convoy had an additional 26 ships plus 5 escorts (Task Unit 91.1.1). In the main convoy were the Norwegian Tankers B.P. Newton (serving as Convoy CDRE) and Sommerstad. The Newton has final destination listed as UK, while the Sommerstad is listed as Port Arthur. The source of the information is from the voyage report for Convoy HK-106 Subsidiary and HK-106, obtained from the US National Archives and Record Administration. My father, William R. Pitz served in the US Naval Armed Guard as a signalman on the USAT General George W. Goethals, which was also part of this convoy. Convoy GAT-16 info - Here is some more information on Norwegian ships in Convoys. Convoy GAT-16 left Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on 22-Oct-1942 for Trinidad, with 24 ships plus 4 escorts (Task Unit 92.1.5). Included among the convoy were the following Norwegian ships, with final destinations listed: Source of information is the voyage report of Convoy GAT-16, obtained from the US National Archives and Records Administration. My father, William R. Pitz served in the US Naval Armed Guard as a signalman on the USAT General George W. Goethals, which was also part of this convoy. ___________________________________ March 28 From: Laughing Moose Wellcome Thank you Thanks to you brave Norwegians, my relatives in Denmark did not face the Nazis alone to fight for Scandinavia. My Uncle Paul fought in the Danish underground. I was fascinated by the stories on your website of Norwegians fighting with the Philipino underground alongside Americans and Philippinos. In 2001 I had the honor of meeting one of the Philippino guerillas, Pio Birondo Posadas who fought on Mindanao against the Japanese and hid out in caves carved into the jungle hillsides. He spoke fluent English. It's quite possible he bumped into some Norwegians. God bless you. (The story referred to above about the Norwegians fighting with the Philippinos etc. in the jungle can be found on my page about Ravnaas). ___________________________________ From: Jonathan Henriksen Joan (Aires) Henriksen I wanted to complement you on your site! My mother Joan (Aires) Henriksen was a radio operater and survived, and still does. I want to thank you, for your mention of her. I think as her son, I even know her a little better now. She is an amazing women, and I love her dearly. Cheers...again thanks Jonathan's mother served on the Norwegian Kirkenes during the war. If anyone knew her and would like to get in touch, I can provide her son's E-mail address. ___________________________________ March 22 From: Linda Williams Pictures Hello, Would anyone know how I would get some pictures of a concentration camp in Germany known as Marlag and Milag Nord, I would like these as soon as possible please. Thank you and God bless I have suggested the local Public Library. ___________________________________ Marc 20 From: Carla J. Borgen Capt. Johan Carlsen Borgen, my father This is such a fantastic site, thank you for posting all this great information. To my delight, I see one of my relatives has been searching for info on my late father....all this would not be possible without your diligent work. Keep it up ! Greatfully, Carla J. Borgen Carla is referring to a message posted by Beryl E. Carlsen on Aug. 2-2005 (on Page 5 of the Guestbook). ___________________________________ March 18 From: John Townsend My visit to your fantastic website As a Veteran of WW2 who served with the British Merchant Navy from 1937 to 1949, wish to compliment you on a truly wonderful website. Having taken part in both the Battle of the Atlantic and Artic convoys, have found much pleasure in viewing ON convoys as too the JW and RA Russian convoys. I have my own website which I have dedicated to all my Shipmates, many of whom only found a watery grave "somewhere out there" http://www.johntownsend.bravehost.com I would deeply appreciate a Link to your own website 'if possible' ___________________________________ March 17 From: Morley Eldridge A very professional site, a shining example of how good the Internet can be! I have posted a query in the forum on a ship on behalf of my mother. The forum thread mentioned can be found here. ___________________________________ March 14 From: JIM BRANNEN warsailors WHAT A TERRIFIC SITE!....BZ TO YOU AND YOURS! JIM ___________________________________ From: Maria Naess Watson Re D/S Trolla Thanks to this site, me and my family were finally able to learn in detail about the fate of my great uncle Oscar Julius Naess, who was chief engineer on D/S Trolla. He was one of the casualties when Trolla was torpedoed in 1942 and he was later buried in Halifax, Canada. I absolutely love getting message like this - they let me know that what I'm doing means something to somebody! ___________________________________ March 9 From: James Mutch Crockett HMS Hammond Like you I am also tracing the past life experiences of my father, and I have found a lot of information on the internet so far. But with my success up to now more doors are opening in my persuit of information. If you have time please open my blog http://blog.360.yahoo.com/jamesesq and read the story I wrote about my fathers invovlement in the rescue of the King of Norway from Molde in Norway(1940), my father Skipper (Jakey) Crockett and his crew were also saved! (I cannot find this story at the link provided) Now I have a few more points of interest to look into: I referred James to my Ship Forum ___________________________________ March 6 From: Mavis Marsh Harold Juniper my dad I am trying to trace the family of Harold Juniper, he was a ww11 crew member on hms mine carrier "Adventure". He was my "natural" father and I never saw him again after the war. I know there are other offspring. I just need to be able to have closure re my father. Mavis' address can be provided ___________________________________ March 2 From: Gerry Dunn Searching for WW2 merchant navy radio officers. Brothers John and Joe Mander who used to live at the City Arms Hotel in York. Any info to Gerry Dunn 01482 866865 or (E-mail address witheld*) - They attended Hull Technical College in 1943 so will now be in their 80's. * E-mail address can be provided via the contact address at the end of this page. ___________________________________ Febr. 28 From: Giuseppe Bellia Compliments! it's really an amazing page...lots of information i was unable to find anywhere else an d a lot of useful links too...again compliments ___________________________________ From: Ewel McCabe SS Bengore Head May 9th 1941 I would like to thank you for the info I found on this site, regarding the final day of the ss Bengore Head, the one life lost on that day, on board the SS Bengore Head, was my Grandfather Jack McCabe (William John McCabe). I was reading info on convoy ob-318 when it all became very real and very deeply touched by what I had read, all I could do is read it over and over and think of my grandfather, as this was the first news I had found about what happened to him, thank you kindest regards Ewel McCabe Ewel has probably come across my text for Borgfred. ___________________________________ Febr. 26 From: Nick Chipchase Røsten, Bokn, Kongshaug, Isbjorn I have dived and identified the wrecks of these ships. Anyone requiring further details please contact me. Nick's address can be provided ___________________________________ From: Stephen Wright Thanks - and some info. It has been a pleasure to look at your site - so well produced and well laid out - thank you! It is clearly a labour of Love! I have been using it to research ships which visited the small port of Silloth in the U.K. I have some information which you may like to know. In October 1942, the SS 'Bjorkhaug' arrived at Silloth (which is on the West coast of the U.K, in Cumbria). She had come from Devonport (the Naval base on England's south coast). The ship arrived on 25th October and loaded Government stores, probably for delivery to Devonport, prior to the North African campaign. She left on October 29th. This gives you a little more insight into this ship's activity - I hope it is useful. The SS 'Vestfos' also called at Silloth on several occasions during the late 1930s, to load coke (coal) for Norway. For info, here's my page about Bjørkhaug. ___________________________________ Febr. 22 From: Terence Hotston Missing person I live in australia and i must commend your website as being the most comprehensive on merchant navy ships and personel i have seen on the internet. I have been searching since 1995 for a cousin lost at sea on an arctic convoy in WW2. It seems there is almost no records for many of those sailors that gave their lives for us who live today. ___________________________________ Febr. 22 From: Sandra Sloly Hector Sloly Mr. Hector Sloly is my father he served on the Royal Navy 1943-1945 his last ship was Jamaica Planter, also he was a merchant seaman who visited Jamaica until it sank, he now resides in England. I was born in Kingston Jamaica w.i. I'm not entire sure what Sandra is referring to here, but I found 2 Guestbook messages re a Hector Sloly, one posted on Oct. 13- 2002 (on Page 2 of the Guestbook), the other on Oct. 19- 2005 (on Page 5 of the Guestbook). ___________________________________ From: Keith Thomas Cederholm Fritz W Cederholm / Fernlane 7 May41 Fritz Cederholm was my dear father who sadly passed away 25 September 2004 (He would have been 88 on 23 October 2004) He was 3rd officer on Fernlane and was unlucky in that he caught malaria fever whilst in West Africa after the sinking. After recovery in New York he saw out the rest of WW2 as 2nd Officer on Montevideo (Ivaran Lines) with Captain Reider Kristiansen, Radio Officer Arvid Naess, 3rd Officer Solfest Kvam. He met my mother Nora Payne at the British Council in Liverpool, when King Haakan opened the "Norwegian Room" there in 1942, Arvid Naess was with him that day and he met and subsequently married my mother's friend Hilary Craig. Fritz and Nora married in Liverpool (St Michaels Church, Wavertree) on 14 February 1943. It was not the romantic day but the only one they could both get leave! My mother was a nurse and it was not a good time in Liverpool just then. Fritz stayed in "Montevideo" until early 1950 when he was chief officer. He was able to gain a job in Port of Liverpool on dredgers and floating cranes. Eventually becoming Captain of "Mersey Compass" 2500DWT dredger, and stayed there until he retired in 1979. He has 2 sons, myself Keith born October 1950 and my brother Norman born July 1946. I followed in dad's footsteps and went to sea and in 1986 when chief officer in VLCC London Victory was appointed pilot in Boston, England. I had to retire after 6 years with poor health but after 3 years of treatment went back to work as Cargo superintendent with "Lys Line" (Simonsen and Slang). I have retired again now (more ilness) so we came home to Liverpool and I do a small job teaching navigation. I have a photo of Montevideo leaving New York on 2nd September 1943. I obtained from US Coastguard archive via the daughter of Solfest Kvam. Solfest took up a similar job to my father but in NY and his daughter worked for the USCG. Capt Kristiansen worked in Philadelphia as a Cargo Superintendent until he retired, and Arvid (My special "Uncle") sadly passed away in 1975 having never recovered from injuries sustained on another ship later in WW2 I don't know if this is the kind of response you want, but I am very proud of my father and of my heritage. I visit Norway at least once per year (I cannot write the language and my spoken Norwegian is (I am ashamed to say ) - Not the best. My father's ashes were laid to rest in the family grave at "Dypvaag" near Tvedestrand in November 2004. He was the youngest of 10 and the last to go. My brother and I were joined by many cousins and friends at the simple ceremony, and I will carry on going to see Dad for as long as I am able. He was a good proud honest and hard working man, who because of the terrible times in those dark years and beyond made a life away from his motherland, but he never stopped being Norwegian and he brought us up to love and appreciate a beautiful land and its wonderful people. Here's my page about Fernlane. ___________________________________ Febr. 21 From: Kathleen HMS Hardy Hello im just wondering if any of you have a member of your family who was on the HMS Hardy, my dad was a petty officer on it. I just know it was a big part of his life and he talked a lot about it but i was just 13 when he died so i do forget lots of things now..i do have some pics of the ship and crew and i was wondering if anyone else has some..this is a great site i could read up on the past forever...thanking you. Kathleen ___________________________________ Febr. 20 From: John Bakke M/S John Bakke I am trying to locate a large picture or photo of the M/S John Bakke. Since there are 5 John Bakke's in our family I thought it would be great to have this picture. I would like to frame it and give it to my 1 year old grandson, John Bakke. I would appreciate any information you can give to me regarding this request. The only pictures I have of this ship are the ones on my page about John Bakke. ___________________________________ From: Ulrich Tiesler Thank you for this most interesting site. I am one of the three sons of Raimund Tiesler and I enjoyed to reed about my uncle Oscar to whom I became acquainted in 1957. As a small boy I admired him because he was a very cheerfull person. I also knew about those things you wrote about and think it most interesting to read about that in the net. U. Tiesler Ulrich is referring to some text I have about Raimund Tiesler on my page about Breñas. The "uncle Oscar" he mentions was the captain of Breñas. ___________________________________ From: Vincent Martlew Annie Martlieu I continue to be amazed at the amount of information you have compiled. I was thrilled to see my mother's ship "Iris" listed and details of her sinking. You were right, I did mention that she served on the "Gudvor" in 1944 but that was after the "Iris". She passed away in Nov. '97 at the age of 89. She was always very proud of her wartime service on Norwegian ships and the fine people she encountered as fellow crew. Thank you P.S., In order for me to obtain papers to sail in the Canadian MN, I told them I was 16 when I was 14 and changed the spelling of our name and legalized it when I became a US citizen My page about Mosdale has a complete list of Canadian radio operators on Norwegian ships, with links to their ships. ___________________________________ From: Erik Andersson Hello, I have an Australian friend named Kelvin Johannesen and his grandfather or great grandfather was born in Moss, Norway (I suppose) and left by boat for Australia. I do not know if you are interested in this but write me if so. Best Regards, ___________________________________ Febr. 2 From: Charles Gallagher D/S Irma I found a certificate for my cousin who was a passenger who used the D/S Irma to take "Spitsenbergentur". (Here's my page about Irma) ___________________________________ Febr. 2 From: Richard Nacamuli Ships I've found your site to be very informative. I've learned a lot on Norwegian shipping. Thanks. ___________________________________ Febr. 2 From: Stuart Usher Shetland Bus - "Blia" disaster In the section of your website where you deal with the "Shetland Bus", you make mention of the dreadful loss of the Blia, and I wonder if you can help me in this regard please? I am currently putting together a Powerpoint presentation on Shetland Bus operations, and would like to say something about the loss of Blia and all of her passengers and crew. I note that you include a black and white photo of what I assume is the Blia on the slip, and that it was sent to you by Bjorn Milde. I wondered if you could arrange for me to have contact with Bjorn to see if he would email me a copy of the photo so that I could include it in my talk. I would be delighted to give credit to whoever is the owner of the picture. Many thanks and best regards Stu Usher Here's my info on Blia - I've put Stuart in touch with Bjørn. ___________________________________ Jan. 31 From: William Olsen Grandson of Alfred Olsen Hello and I feel you have a wonderful site here. I have been longing to find out info about my Grandfather Alfred Olsen 3rd Mate on the Bonneville, I have no pictures of him. I see one of my brothers left a comment here, nice to see. If anyone reading this has any photos or stories to share about my grandfather please contact me olsenb at halifax dot ca. (replace at and dot with the appropriate @ and .) I am easy to find. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada and work for the Municipal Government. Keep up all the great work, you are a saint. Regards Bill Olsen Here's my page about Bonneville. William's brother posted a message in in 2004. ___________________________________ Jan. 30 From: Peter Crush M/S BELMOIRA Anybody looking for good pictures of M/S "Belmoira" can find two very good ones in the April 1938 edition of "Baldwin Locomotives" magazine. One is of the bow alongside the docks and the second a good aerial shot of the ship sailing down the Delaware River with a consignment of locomotives on deck. ___________________________________ From: Alex Haslam Kenneth Perkins Ken Perkins served as Radio Officer on the General Ruge, Grena (where he was torpedoed, and there is a listing for him on that ship on your site) and finally the Astrid in 1945. All these ships are listed on this site - see the Master Ship Index ___________________________________ Jan. 29 From: Nick Chipchase SS Bokn, Convoy WP183 I have dived all the wrecks of Convoy WP 183 plus many others between Start Point and Needles. If anyone wishes to know positions or other information please contact me. (Nick's address can be provided. Link to my page about Bokn can be found in the message below) ___________________________________ From: Annemarie Mathews SS Bokn, Gunner Hazelgrave (Hezelgrave) Imagine my surprise, after almost 20 years of searching for information on the ship my grandfather Daniel Hezelgrave served and was killed on during WWII was posted on the world wide web. As my mother never knew her father, and my grandmother, Annie, never got over losing my grandfather it was such an amazing surprise to have found some information finally on the web. As you said you could not find anything for Gunner Hazelgrave under the Commonwealth War Graves website, it is because his last name was misspelled. He is actually Hezelgrave. Name: HEZELGRAVE, DANIEL I actually am American, my mother immigrated in the 60's from Leeds, England after having met my father, so I/we only get there every several years. I have always gone to his headstone, but never could figure out what SS Bokn was, because British ships were all entitled HMS, then to find out he actually was tied to the HMS President III and SS Bokn, it makes so much more sense. What I don't understand, is why his and several others serial numbers start with an alpha and not only numeric. What does P/JX mean if anyone knows? Again thank you for posting the information. If you would like more info about Danny, please feel free to contact me. Regards, Here's my page about Bokn. ___________________________________ Jan. 26 From: AWS U-Boot 21 and U-Boot 363 http://people.freenet.de/schmidtbox9 Historical moments of the WK II ___________________________________ From: Moira Aanonsen Svein Aanonsen Hallo I also clicked onto your home page and your daughter's profile and the following may interst her. Regards Moira Aanonsen (Here's my page about D/S Svint) ___________________________________ Jan. 22 From: Sue Harrison WWII I just wanted to say that I have been searching for information about my father and his time with the Norwegian Merchant Navy for some time now. I found your site today and was so excited to find a couple of references to him. Thank you so much for putting together such an informative and interesting site. ___________________________________ Jan. 22 From: Stuart Smith Walton ss Baluchistan Thank You. Very moving to see the photograph of the sinking of Baluchistan (8th March 1942) my father in law was on the ship as a deckhand. We are trying to trace his life history. Anyone else remember the ship or crew? Cheers Stuart Smith-Ealton (I believe Stuart has contacted the wrong site re this ship - I have no picture of the sinking Baluchistan). ___________________________________ Jan. 20 From: Leonie Holvey Re my dad Hi, my dad was a merchant seaman on the Cornell oil tanker his name was JOHN HOLVEY he was a seaman for many yrs. He died in 1979 or there abouts don't have alot of info on him..great to see this site and if anyone knows of him or has a family member that may have served with him please contact me. LEONIE ___________________________________ From: Star Wood Tai-Yin anchor bell Believe it or not, the original anchor bell for the Tai-Yin was left at our shop today 1/13/06. It is a 10" bell (bottom diameter) and engraved with the words "Tin-Yin, 1929, Oslo". It's solid brass with the original knocker inside and absolutely beautiful! A real tribute to this beautiful ship! Here's my page about Tai Yin. ___________________________________ Jan. 12 From: W. Pop D/S Bjørkhaug I have read the story about the d/s Bjørkhaug in Algiers July 16 1943. W. Pop Here's my page about Bjørkhaug referred to above. ___________________________________ From: Alf Rasmussen Link to Photo of M/S Dronning Maud This is a link to a picture of the M/S Dronning Maud that my father, Søren Brandsnes and Gerhard Torp used to escape from occupied Norway in August 1941. It had a one cylinder diesel engine that did not move the boat very fast across the North Sea. They were picked up by a British minesweeper off the coast of Scotland near Aberdeen after a trip of more than 52 hours. As my father told the story, one man had the helm, another would sleep, while the third had to bail continuously to prevent the boat from sinking. The minesweeper took them aboard and towed the boat in to Aberdeen and tied it to a dock. Within a short period of time the boat sank. They were confined for a short period of time until the British government could confirm their identities to ensure they were not Nazi spies. http://www.lindesnes-bygdemuseum.net/bilder.php?RollID=foto&FrameID=LIB-2433 Note that this is not the actual vessel, but one like it. This story is mentioned in several places on my site (for example on my page about Polykarp). |
