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Thread: SS Nerissa

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    Default SS Nerissa

    My Great Uncle was Joseph Gaffney (R30908).
    He survived the sinking of SS Nerissa.
    I believe he went on to marry a Dutch lady called Molly and spent the rest of his days in Canada.
    If anyone has any information regarding his time in the Merchant Navy or about his life in Canada I would be most grateful to hear from you.
    I am doing some research into my Family History.
    My maternal Grandfather was also in the Merchant Navy: his name was Harold Joseph Harrison.

    Stay safe everyone.

  2. #2
    Keith at Tregenna's Avatar
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    Default Re: SS Nerissa

    Hi Juliet, can you please provide date, place of birth etc.

    Regards, Keith.

    .

  3. #3
    Keith at Tregenna's Avatar
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    Default Re: SS Nerissa

    Quote Originally Posted by Juliet Condon View Post
    SS Nerissa.


    Nerissa - LINK: SS Nerissa

    .
    Last edited by Keith at Tregenna; 18th May 2021 at 07:47 PM.

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    Default Re: SS Nerissa

    Hello Juliet
    As you have his Discharge Number do you have his Seamans Records!
    What other info do you require? Ans as said dates of Birth for both and where they were Born/
    Cheers
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 18th May 2021 at 08:00 PM.
    Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website

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    Default Re: SS Nerissa

    Hi Juliet,
    Your Great Uncle, Joseph Gaffney was Nerissa’s Chief Officer. He was the senior surviving ship’s officer and as such, he testified at the Canadian Army’s Court of Inquiry which was held 7 and 8 May 1940 at the Canadian base at Bordon (in Hampshire). There were 73 Canadian Army and 10 Royal Canadian Navy personal lost in the sinking of the troopship Nerissa.

    In my book “ S.S. Nerissa, the Final Crossing, 2nd Edition”, many of the human-interest details of the moments leading up the tragic sinking of the ship by U-552 … and the hours awaiting rescue in the open ocean are based upon testimony from Canadian Army survivors and from your Uncle at the Court of Inquiry.

    I had learned that Joseph Gaffney stayed in Canada after the war and he continued working for Furness, Withy and Company in the merchant ship trade. I would be interested learning more of his life in Canada, based on your Family History research.

    Yours sincerely,
    Bill Dziadyk

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    Default Re: SS Nerissa

    Bit of an old Tread Bill, but hopefully Juliet may still pop in now and then to read your reply.
    Thank You
    Cheers
    Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website

    R697530

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