Hello.Iwas Also on the Chuscal when we lost shipmates in that terrible storm.Iwas an S.O.S at the time and came from Tiverton in Devon
Printable View
Hello.Iwas Also on the Chuscal when we lost shipmates in that terrible storm.Iwas an S.O.S at the time and came from Tiverton in Devon
kevin malham has posted:
SS CHUSCAL, 12th April 1966
Five men lost overboard.
William Leslie Harvey
Alan Robert McLintock Moodie
Andrew Self
Michael Sydney Smith
Richard Martin Willcock
I am Michael Smith's Son Kevin. I was four years old when I lost my Dad and have never had the chance to visit a grave side, say goodbye or just sit and chat.
These men have no known grave except the sea.
You can help me put that right.
After 51 years these shipmates are going to be laid to rest at the National Memorial Arbouetum.
Together with Fyffe I am organising an event which will take place on the 12th April 2018.
I need to contact the families of these sailors so that they may be able to say a final goodbye and finally
lay them to rest.
If you have any contact or information about the families please let them know what is happening or let me know so that I may contact them, or they can contact me on 01474709529 or 07944833955.
Fyffe are paying for the dedication and memorial plaque and I am trying to raise funds for the meet and greet, the service and the refreshments.
If you knew any of the shipmates or would just like to come along please do, you are all welcome, just let me know.
Please copy and paste to any sites that you may feel could help.
Thanking you all in advance.
Proud too be doing this
Kevin.
Added here as it may assist. I will add a link to this thread on his new post.
Keith.
Hi Wendy as soon as you get this could you contact me please. Michael Smith was my Dad.
Hi Widdy
Any information you can share would be great. I know I lost my Dad but I do feel for everyone on that ship who had to sail home without them. It must of hunted the Captain for years.
Hi David Moodie
Can you contact me Please.
Hi Kevin, you could try to private message the members direct via this site yourself.
Regards Keith.
PS. If you have not mastered private messaging yet, certain one of us can explain. I have not double checked the dates all you mentioned looked in. The site pm message should go straight to the individuals home in box. Worth a try. K
SS Chuscal. A dedication memorial is to take place at the National Memorial Arboretum for the five sailors who lost their lives after being swept overboard from the SS Chuscal . This will be on the 12th April 2018.
SS Chuscal, 12th April 1966.
I sailed on the Chuscal as a deck cadet from July to December 68 but didn't know about the losses. RIP guys .It was also good to hear about the dedicated memorial too.
I guess there is a number of us who have been in similar situations but have survived.
Dennis Waller
National Memorial Arboretum
On Tuesday 12 April 1966, SS Chuscal was 520 miles south-east of Newfoundland, on course to return to the UK from Jamaica, when struck by ferocious waves. The 411-foot long freighter was laden with precious cargo; threatened by the perilous conditions, crew members were ordered to brave the weather and make their way forward along the deck to secure some horse boxes which had broken loose. As they attempted to lash down the cargo the five crew members were engulfed by a 70-foot wave and swept overboard into the raging sea.
Life belts were swiftly thrown over the side of the ship to aid the men. Captain John Beatson was faced with the impossible decision of whether to turn the ship around with a high probability of capsizing the ship or leaving the five men at the mercy of the waves. With a heavy heart he resolved he could not turn the ship and risk the lives of all those remaining on board.
All five men perished, and their bodies were never recovered. With no known grave except the sea, the friends and families of those lost have been denied the opportunity to visit the final resting place of their loved ones to say goodbye and to remember them.
Tomorrow (12 April 2018), friends and family of the seamen will gather at the Arboretum, in Staffordshire for a service to dedicate a memorial in the Merchant Navy Wood to the five crew members;
• William Leslie Harvey
• Alan Robert McLintock Moodie
• Andrew Self
• Michael Sydney Smith
• Richard Martin Willcock