Wartime story

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27 February 2017 at 11:45 #9499
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
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27 February 2017 at 11:45 #70046
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
Some time ago I was idly day dreaming about my school days, which were from 1941 to 1949 at this particular school in Manchester

I recalled one episode where the entire school adopted a Merchant Navy Ship

We used to write letters and send socks and gloves etc to the crew

The Captain`s name was Savery and that`s all I remember

I wanted to find the name of the ship, just out of interest. Having asked one surviving classmate, without success

I did ask Bob Wilson, member of this forum, but again without success

To be continued

Bob
27 February 2017 at 13:40 #70049
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
This morning I Googled the Captains name and up pooped this!

This was written by somebody in Wales, unfortunately, I can`t locate the rest of the story, but the person is telling a similar story to mine!

The question is……..how many more schools were donating Socks and Gloves?

It sounds like a Wartime Scam to me?

Note the year……..1942

To be continued

Bob
27 February 2017 at 13:55 #70050
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
Later, I Googled……SS Helenus and got this info……

To be continued

Bob
27 February 2017 at 14:13 #70051
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
Info attached to the photo, was that the ship was in the charge of Captain P W Savery

The ship was sunk by torpedo on 3rd March 1942 off the African coast near Liberia

The next question is……..Where did all those Socks and Gloves get to?

In 1942, I was only five then and I reckon the Captain Savery talks went on till at least 1947

That`s another five years of parcel sending to SS Helenus?

Could only have been a Wartime method of material stockpiling?……..In those days……..Clothing was rationed

Finally, after more Googling, I discover that Capt Savery was in charge of another ship…….The SS Agepenor

Would you believe it?……….It was torpedoed in October 1942

Bob
27 February 2017 at 14:27 #70052
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Another little snippet to the story

Map showing attack site

And an added bonus……..

A knowledgeable ex seaman tells me he saw the actual SS Helenus ship at sea in the 60`s!

Was it a Ghost Ship?

Bob
27 February 2017 at 14:33 #70053
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Bob

Have you tried Lloyds Register of Captains or the Merchant Marine Archive?

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 27/02/2017 14:36:38
27 February 2017 at 14:45 #70056
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Thank you, Paul

But I think you`ve jumped in too soon?

My Quest is over…….Job done

Bob
27 February 2017 at 15:06 #70058
Kev.W
Participant
@kev-w
Posted by Bob Abell on 27/02/2017 14:27:27:

A knowledgeable ex seaman tells me he saw the actual SS Helenus ship at sea in the 60`s!

Was it a Ghost Ship?

Bob

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

No, not a ghost ship, more likely a Blue Funnel owned vessel of the same name ………..

http://www.rhiw.com/y_mor/blue_funnel_home/h_boats/helenus/helenus.htm

Edited By Kip Woods on 27/02/2017 15:07:35

Edited By Kip Woods on 27/02/2017 15:08:39
27 February 2017 at 15:10 #70059
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Thank you, Kip

Can`t read your link, but I did think about ships having similar names, but they didn`t show up on my Google search

Bob
27 February 2017 at 21:41 #70068
Kev.W
Participant
@kev-w
This is what the link shows Bob ……………….
27 February 2017 at 21:51 #70069
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Thanks Kip

I did manage to open the link eventually

It's a different ship with the same name, built in1949

Why have the same name, I wonder?

Bob
27 February 2017 at 22:19 #70070
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
It was a common policy to reuse merchant ship names Bob, just as it was in the Navy. For example Cunard had two Mauretanias.

As far as Blue Funnel Line is concerned you can see their fleet list here, several names were reused.

**LINK**l

Colin
27 February 2017 at 22:29 #70071
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Thank you, Colin

All very confusing really

Bob
3 May 2017 at 18:56 #70870
Bob Wilson
Participant
@bobwilson59101
The 10,125 gross ton Helenus above was indeed a later ship of the same name, and I remember seeing her in Australia in 1961 Using names a second, or even third or more times round was quite common. A print of that Helenus image above was on the bulkhead of my cabin in my last ship, RMS St. Helena!

Bob
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