On This Day

[Raybosailor]

9th. September

1087 William Rufus becomes King of England, making him William 11

1543 Mary Stuart, aged only nine months old, is crowned "Queen of Scots".

1791 Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, is named after President George Washington.

1947 A moth lodges in a relay of a Harvard Mark II computer at Harvard University disabling it, (a computer bug you might say).

2015 Queen Elizabeth II overtook Queen Victoria as the longest serving monarch of the United Kingdom.

Births
1754 William Bligh, British naval officer who suffered two mutinies, one of whichwas on the HMS Bounty which was taken over by Fletcher Christian.
1949 John Curry, English figure skating champion and 1976 Olympic and World Champion.
1960 Hugh Grant, actor and film producer who appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
1972 Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky, tv presenter and first winner of Strictly Come Dancing.

[Frank Manning]

1961 : The Donaldson cargo liner Santona, struck a floating grain elevator in Avonmouth docks, sinking it, and severely damaging her own bows.

A classic case for bridge control of engines. We had telegraphs, and while we rang down for slow astern the reversing gear did not engage, and the engine went ahead. We then rang down for half and then full astern, but all that did was make the engineer on the control platform give her more and more 'juice'. In the oft quoted words "Of course, I had nussing to do vis it!" I felt desperately sorry for our Captain, it really upset him.

I got 5 days leave from it. On my next leave in December I met Sue.

[Raybosailor]

1961 : The Donaldson cargo liner Santona, struck a floating grain elevator in Avonmouth docks, sinking it, and severely damaging her own bows.

A classic case for bridge control of engines. We had telegraphs, and while we rang down for slow astern the reversing gear did not engage, and the engine went ahead. We then rang down for half and then full astern, but all that did was make the engineer on the control platform give her more and more 'juice'. In the oft quoted words "Of course, I had nussing to do vis it!" I felt desperately sorry for our Captain, it really upset him.

I got 5 days leave from it. On my next leave in December I met Sue.

I could listen to your tales of the sea all day Frank keep it coming, I went to visit my dad in his nursing home on Tuesday and we sat outside in the garden. A chap came and joined us and we got talking to him where he revealed that he was in the Merchant Navy, my dad told him he was in the Royal Navy and we couldn't get a word in.
They had both spent a good proportion of the war on Arctic convoys and they were both trading ship names, convoy codes and even service pay numbers despite both having dementia, mind you neither could remember what they had eaten at breakfast.

[Raybosailor]

10th. September.

1933 Fred Perry became the first British player to win the US Open Championship since 1903.

1960 A game between Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers became the first English League game to be shown live on TV.

1967 Nearly 100 per cent of the voters of Gibraltar rejected Spanish rule in favour of retaining British sovereignty.

1977 Hamida Djandoubi, is the last person to be executed by guillotine in France.

Births
920 Louis IV of France.
1929 Arnold Palmer, American golfer.
1938 David Hamilton, better known as "Diddy David", radio presenter.
1939 Cynthia Lillian Lennon (née Powell) former wife of John Lennon and mother of Julian.
1945 José Montserrate Feliciano García, singer and guitarist born in Lares, Puerto Rico.
1960 Colin Firth,(Mr.Darcy) English actor and producer.
1968 Guy Stuart Ritchie,film director better known for " Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and his marriage to Madonna.

[Frank Manning]

I think you said your Dad's ship was HMS Walker. I believe that under Capt Donald MacIntyre she caught the U Boat ace "Silent Otto" Kretschmer in U99. By a stroke of luck they caught U99 on asdic while they were attacking U100. Kretschmer had just sunk 34,000 tons of ships in convoy HX112 with a single salvo, and was making his getaway when he strayed into the area. Ketschmer was a cool character and despite being driven down to 700 feet he managed to get his damaged U boat back to the surface where he sent a calmly worded signal to U boat HQ before abandoning ship. All but 3 of his crew were saved.

Once aboard the rescue ship he proceeded to make up a four for bridge on his journey into captivity with three of the merchant ship captains who had been lost in that convoy. After WWII he became and Admiral in the Kriegsmarine. There were heroes on both sides.

[Raybosailor]

I think you said your Dad's ship was HMS Walker. I believe that under Capt Donald MacIntyre she caught the U Boat ace "Silent Otto" Kretschmer in U99. By a stroke of luck they caught U99 on asdic while they were attacking U100. Kretschmer had just sunk 34,000 tons of ships in convoy HX112 with a single salvo, and was making his getaway when he strayed into the area. Ketschmer was a cool character and despite being driven down to 700 feet he managed to get his damaged U boat back to the surface where he sent a calmly worded signal to U boat HQ before abandoning ship. All but 3 of his crew were saved.

Once aboard the rescue ship he proceeded to make up a four for bridge on his journey into captivity with three of the merchant ship captains who had been lost in that convoy. After WWII he became and Admiral in the Kriegsmarine. There were heroes on both sides.

That's correct Frank, when dad was talking to this merchant seaman on Tuesday I heard more about his time in the navy on that day than I had heard in my entire life, he really opened up and I have been telling my siblings all about it since.

Despite many skirmishes HMS Walker suffered more damage from the ice and the arctic storms than from enemy fire, he said that the ship had to be shored up with timber on one convoy to limp in for repairs.
Dad like many sailors was a bit of a lad and during shore leave from Scapa he and two other crew were arrested for being drunk and they missed the launch to take them back to the ship. After a time in military nick without pay they were transported strangely to Portland the other end of the British Isles where after a few more days in prison they were put on HMS Cavendish which was on its way to the Far East.
He saw the war out on Cavendish until she returned to the UK but dad didn't make the full passage as he and his two mates were again arrested by military police in Gibraltar while the ship was in port for her last leg home. They were sent back a few days later on another ship which I think was HMS Derby, the three remained mates for years and both were on my dads wedding photo, I suppose they got drunk that night too which wouldn't have pleased my mother as she was teetotal her whole life bless her.
Dad didn't drink until he went in the navy but being the youngest in his team he was always sent up for their rum ration which was carried on a board, apparently it was tradition that the one that carried the rum had what was known as "sippers" which I think was a sip out of all the other tots, perhaps you or some other old salt can enlighten me on this.
Dad never smoked so he would trade in his tobacco ration with other ratings or would smuggle some ashore and trade with locals, he once said that he traded tobacco and cigarettes with a tailor in Singapore and he was measured up in the evening and picked up a suit the following morning.

[Raybosailor]

11th. September.

1297 Scottish hero William Wallace defeated the English at Stirling Bridge.

1777 In the American War of Independence American troops led by George Washington were defeated by the British at the Battle of Brandywine Creek.

1836 Register Office marriages were introduced in Britain.

1879 In an explosion at the Prince of Wales Colliery, at Abercarn, South Wales.268 miners died.

1915 Still in Wales Britain’s first Women’s Institute at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Anglesey, Wales was opened, can you imagine an Englishman trying to announce the opening of this place ?. For some reason the spellcheck has put a line under it, have I missed a letter out ?.

Births
1885 D H Lawrence,(born David Herbert Richards Lawrence) son of an illiterate miner in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire author of Sons and Lovers, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley's Lover.
1950 Barry Sheene, British racing motor cyclist was born in London.

[Silver_Shiney]

I think you said your Dad's ship was HMS Walker. I believe that under Capt Donald MacIntyre she caught the U Boat ace "Silent Otto" Kretschmer in U99. By a stroke of luck they caught U99 on asdic while they were attacking U100. Kretschmer had just sunk 34,000 tons of ships in convoy HX112 with a single salvo, and was making his getaway when he strayed into the area. Ketschmer was a cool character and despite being driven down to 700 feet he managed to get his damaged U boat back to the surface where he sent a calmly worded signal to U boat HQ before abandoning ship. All but 3 of his crew were saved.

Once aboard the rescue ship he proceeded to make up a four for bridge on his journey into captivity with three of the merchant ship captains who had been lost in that convoy. After WWII he became and Admiral in the Kriegsmarine. There were heroes on both sides.

That's correct Frank, when dad was talking to this merchant seaman on Tuesday I heard more about his time in the navy on that day than I had heard in my entire life, he really opened up and I have been telling my siblings all about it since.

Despite many skirmishes HMS Walker suffered more damage from the ice and the arctic storms than from enemy fire, he said that the ship had to be shored up with timber on one convoy to limp in for repairs.
Dad like many sailors was a bit of a lad and during shore leave from Scapa he and two other crew were arrested for being drunk and they missed the launch to take them back to the ship. After a time in military nick without pay they were transported strangely to Portland the other end of the British Isles where after a few more days in prison they were put on HMS Cavendish which was on its way to the Far East.
He saw the war out on Cavendish until she returned to the UK but dad didn't make the full passage as he and his two mates were again arrested by military police in Gibraltar while the ship was in port for her last leg home. They were sent back a few days later on another ship which I think was HMS Derby, the three remained mates for years and both were on my dads wedding photo, I suppose they got drunk that night too which wouldn't have pleased my mother as she was teetotal her whole life bless her.
Dad didn't drink until he went in the navy but being the youngest in his team he was always sent up for their rum ration which was carried on a board, apparently it was tradition that the one that carried the rum had what was known as "sippers" which I think was a sip out of all the other tots, perhaps you or some other old salt can enlighten me on this.
Dad never smoked so he would trade in his tobacco ration with other ratings or would smuggle some ashore and trade with locals, he once said that he traded tobacco and cigarettes with a tailor in Singapore and he was measured up in the evening and picked up a suit the following morning.

I really think the two of you should start another thread - this is fascinating stuff!!

[Raybosailor]

I think Frank should write a book Alan, his knowledge of the sea is tremendous and I'm sure he would have many amusing tales to tell.

11th September 2001, I was going to omit this out of respect for those that lost their lives but it is a moment in history. The attacks on America known today as "9/11" when terrorists flew hijacked planes into the World Trade Centre.

Having watched last nights 'Last Night of the Proms' I should also give a mention to James Thomson a Scottish poet who wrote the lyrics to "Rule Britannia" was born on this day in 1700.

[Silver_Shiney]

You make your own valuable and interesting comments, too, Ray.

[Frank Manning]

Yes, this is always an interesting page. Your Dad sounds an interesting character. Sue always tells people that she married me because I was 'different'. Not different enough to get 'jankers' twice though. Next week I am doing a talk about the 20th century blue riband winning liners and their various fates.

[Raybosailor]

Yes, this is always an interesting page. Your Dad sounds an interesting character. Sue always tells people that she married me because I was 'different'. Not different enough to get 'jankers' twice though. Next week I am doing a talk about the 20th century blue riband winning liners and their various fates.

Wish I could get to that Frank, what about posting a few clips on the forum ? I'm sure it would be appreciated by quite a few members.

[Dancing Queen]

I love this thread and it's one of the first things I look for when I log in.

I agree Ray .. Frank tells some wonderful stories and I for one would be interested to read more of his experiences and would welcome a thread of it's own.

I think 9/11 probably changed the world forever, we were in New York the following year and visited the Twin Towers site .. it was very emotional.

[Ranchi]

10th September was also the day the Andy Murray won the US Open. We were on Aurora that night as it sailed from NY to Newport RI. Quite a party that night! Am interested in the idea of a U boat thread....I have quite a bit of info about U562 which sank the P&O liner Strathallan. ( father in law was an officer on Strathallan).

[Raybosailor]

12th. September.

1440 Henry VI founded Eton College.

1609 Henry Hudson begins his exploration of the Hudson River while aboard the Halve Maen.

1885 – Arbroath beat Bon Accord 36-0, a world record scoreline in professional Association football.

1960 Ministry of Transport (MoT) tests on motor vehicles were introduced in the UK.

1970 Concorde landed at Heathrow for the first time.

Births
1852 Herbert Henry Asquith, British Liberal Prime Minister, who introduced old age pensions.
1818 Richard Jordan Gatling, American inventor, invented the Gatling gun.
1913 Jesse Owens, American sprinter and long jumper, not a popular athlete to Hitler.
1944 Barry White, American singer-songwriter.
1969 Ángel Cabrera, Argentinian golfer, affectionately known as "El Pato" in Spanish ("The Duck") for his waddling gait.

[Frank Manning]

Re
SS Strathallan there are two gòod web sites for this sort of info. U boat.nèt does not mention the sinking of Strathallan, but the sub herself was depth charged to destruction further along the North African coast shortly aftrrwards. So she was definitely operating off the Nort African coast. Wreck site.eu tells us that Strathallan was carrying 4000 troops and was struck in he engine room on the approach to Oran. 2 engineer officers were killed and 2 e r ratings. She eventually caught fire and that ignited her cargo of rockets. She sank under tow. The straths were P&O. So you see I am not as clever as I think I am. Just a ship anorak who knows where to find the info!

[Raybosailor]

13th. September.

1902 The first conviction in Britain using finger-prints as evidence was in the case against Harry Jackson by the Metropolitan Police at the Old Bailey.

1940 Buckingham Palace was hit for the third time by bombs during 'The Blitz', King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were in residence at the time of the bombing and one palace worker died of their injury later.

Births
1894 John Boynton Priestley, the English author generally referred to as J.B. Priestley.
1916 The birth, in Cardiff of the author Roald Dahl, famous for his children's books.
1918 Ray Charles, American singer-songwriter.
1918 d**k Haymes, Argentinian actor and singer, one of the songs he released was "You'll Never Know", my dad sang this song on a 'Voices of The Forces' record he made while serving on HMS Walker during the war. He sent the record home to my mum and we still have the record to this day, the record won't play on a modern deck but we had it digitally recorded and played it at mums funeral.

1958 Bobby Davro, English comedian and actor.
1969 Shane Warne, Australian cricketer, coach, and sportscaster.

[Frank Manning]

Notice guys that a seaman has been killed today in a lifeboat accident on the Harmony of the Seas in Marseilles. This is not an uncommon type of accident, as my Union, Nautilus has been pointing out for some considerable time.

[Jan Rosser]

13th. September.

1902 The first conviction in Britain using finger-prints as evidence was in the case against Harry Jackson by the Metropolitan Police at the Old Bailey.

1940 Buckingham Palace was hit for the third time by bombs during 'The Blitz', King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were in residence at the time of the bombing and one palace worker died of their injury later.

Births
1894 John Boynton Priestley, the English author generally referred to as J.B. Priestley.
1916 The birth, in Cardiff of the author Roald Dahl, famous for his children's books.
1918 Ray Charles, American singer-songwriter.
1918 d**k Haymes, Argentinian actor and singer, one of the songs he released was "You'll Never Know", my dad sang this song on a 'Voices of The Forces' record he made while serving on HMS Walker during the war. He sent the record home to my mum and we still have the record to this day, the record won't play on a modern deck but we had it digitally recorded and played it at mums funeral.

1958 Bobby Davro, English comedian and actor.
1969 Shane Warne, Australian cricketer, coach, and sportscaster.

Glaring omission Ray in the births - yours truly was born on the 13 September 1947

[Raybosailor]

Forgive me Jan how could I leave out Lady Rosser, cruise community celebrity born on this day in ????

Many Happy Returns Janis

[Silver_Shiney]

Many happy returns, fair maiden, but remember a lady never gives her age away and a gentleman never asks her age (how much do you weigh?)

[Raybosailor]

14th. September.

1682 One of the oldest schools in Wales Bishop Gore was founded, Dylan Thomas was a pupil here.

1741 George Frideric Handel completes his oratorio Messiah.

1814 During the Battle of Baltimore the poem 'Defence of Fort McHenry' is written by Francis Scott Key. The poem is later used as the lyrics of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' which we now know as the national anthem of the USA.


1891 The first penalty kick in the Football League was awarded to Wolves in a game against Accrington the penalty was taken and scored by "Billy" Heath Wolves won 5-0

1981 A teenage boy who had fired blank shots at the Queen in June 1980, pleaded guilty to a charge under the 1848 Treason Act.

Births
1781 James Walker (civil engineer) he was apprentice to his uncle Ralph Walker and they both worked on the West India and East India Docks of London. In 1821 he built the West Usk Lighthouse, near Newport, South Wales and went on to build another 21.
1910 Actor Jack Hawkins, he starred in the films:The Bridge on the River Kwai, Zulu, The Cruel Sea and Lawrence of Arabia.
1945 Martin Tyler, English sportscaster.
1935 Amanda Barrie (born Shirley Anne Broadbent in Ashton-under-Lyne,) actress of many films and tv series, Billy Fury proposed to her but she refused.
1983 Amy Winehouse, English singer-songwriter.

[Raybosailor]

15th. September.

1816 HMS Whiting runs aground on the Doom Bar off the Cornish coast, she was a 12 gun schooner employed by the Royal Navy to combat smugglers in the Irish Sea.

1830 George Stephenson's Manchester and Liverpool railway opened, the opening was marred by tragedy as the Member of Parliament for Liverpool William Huskisson was hit by a train as he crossed the track to shake the hand of Arthur Wellesley The Duke of Wellington.

1859 The death of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, railway and marine engineer.

1916 Tanks are used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

1960 London introduced Traffic Wardens onto the streets of the capital for the first time.

Births
1254 Marco Polo, Italian explorer.
1890 Agatha Christie, English detective novelist was born in Torquay.
1901 Sir Donald Bailey, English civil engineer who invented the Bailey bridge that played a big part in World War 2.
1984 Prince Harry, 3rd in succession to the throne, was born.

[Raybosailor]

16th. September.

1485 King Henry VII established The Yeoman of the Guard, the bodyguard of the English Crown - popularly known as the 'Beefeaters'.

1861 The Post Office Savings Banks opened in Britain.

1968 Britain introduced a 'two tier' postal system - First and Second Class.

2016 Harvest Moon,the closest full moon to the autumn equinox occurs today.

Births
1888 Walter Bentley, British car designer.
1947 Russ Abbot, comedian-musician, rose to fame as the drummer in The Black Abbots.
1984 Ketevan "Katie" Melua singer-songwriter and guitarist was born in Georgia SSR and moved to Britain at the age of 8. Currently on tour in the UK.

[Raybosailor]

17th. September 2016 Ray had to go away at short notice so no post.

18th. September.

1809 The Royal Opera House opened in Covent Garden.

1940 The British liner SS City of Benares is sunk by German submarine U-48; those killed include 77 child refugees bound for Canada.

1944 The Japanese "Hell Ship" Jun'yō Maru is torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Tradewind with the loss of 5600 lives, mostly allied POW's and slaves from Java.

Births
1709 Dr Samuel Johnson, English writer and compiler of the first English dictionary was born.
1905 Greta Garbo actress, born in Stockholm, Sweden.
1935 John Spencer, English snooker player.
1940 Frankie Avalon, American singer and actor.
1942 Alex Stepney, Manchester United goalkeeper.
1976 Ronaldo, Brazilian footballer.