Batstiger
29-10-2008, 14:14
I'm afraid I omitted to post this for the Sticky!
October 17th 1948.
FOUR survivors and 28 relatives of those lost in the HMS Illustrious pinnace disaster were present on Portland to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the tragedy.
They were among the company of 150 members of the HMS Illustrious Association who came from England and beyond to remember the 29 young sailors who died when, on October 17, 1948, the liberty boat returning the young men to their ship after a day out in Weymouth and Dorchester ran into extreme weather conditions and sank in Portland Harbour.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Mr Rupert Best, Borough Mayor Tim Munro, Portland Town Mayor Sandy West and Wareham Town Mayor Malcolm Russell were also present for the anniversary.
Today’s Royal Navy was represented by Rear Admiral Robert Cooling, who gave an historical account of the tragedy. HMS Illustrious was represented by Lt Cdr David Wright, CPO Grimshaw and five junior ratings.
Members of the Weymouth and Portland branches of the RNA were present and TS Penn and TS Boscowan bands combined to provide the music for the service at All Saints’ Church in Easton, the Royal Naval Cemetery and also gave a short performance at Portland Heights Hotel.
An emotional day, when memories that time was healing were revived for the survivors and the relatives of those who drowned, the most poignant moment of all was when Weymouth lifeboat sailed into sight and a wreath was placed at the spot in the harbour waters where the pinnace went down.
Survivors John Ellis, who lives in Leeds and is acting chairman of the HMS Illustrious Association, John Crocker from Folkstone, Bob Abery from Devon, and Alf Lowe from Auckland, New Zealand, were present for this important anniversary.
Mr Ellis recalled how he had stopped for a last sip of his pint in a Weymouth pub and just missed the liberty boat.
However, he caught the next one and came upon the carnage in Portland Harbour and was instrumental in pulling John Crocker from the water. He said: “It was the best and luckiest pint I have ever had.”
Mr Crocker said: “I was a very strong swimmer but, flung into the stormy sea, I did not appear to be making much progress and I discovered after being pulled out of the water by John that two mates had been clinging to my greatcoat tails.”
Bob Abery and some friends boarded the pinnace and sheltered under a canopy in the stern and when the boat hit the heavy seas in Portland Harbour, those in the bow of the ship were flung on to the canopy which collapsed under their weight.
Bob recalled: “I didn’t know what was happening as I was flung into the sea and a body floated past me, but there was no response when I called out so I don’t know what happened to him. I was eventually flung a rope from the vessel following and pulled aboard.”
Mr Ellis said that there are plans to have a permanent memorial placed in sight of where the pinnace was lost
October 17th 1948.
FOUR survivors and 28 relatives of those lost in the HMS Illustrious pinnace disaster were present on Portland to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the tragedy.
They were among the company of 150 members of the HMS Illustrious Association who came from England and beyond to remember the 29 young sailors who died when, on October 17, 1948, the liberty boat returning the young men to their ship after a day out in Weymouth and Dorchester ran into extreme weather conditions and sank in Portland Harbour.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Mr Rupert Best, Borough Mayor Tim Munro, Portland Town Mayor Sandy West and Wareham Town Mayor Malcolm Russell were also present for the anniversary.
Today’s Royal Navy was represented by Rear Admiral Robert Cooling, who gave an historical account of the tragedy. HMS Illustrious was represented by Lt Cdr David Wright, CPO Grimshaw and five junior ratings.
Members of the Weymouth and Portland branches of the RNA were present and TS Penn and TS Boscowan bands combined to provide the music for the service at All Saints’ Church in Easton, the Royal Naval Cemetery and also gave a short performance at Portland Heights Hotel.
An emotional day, when memories that time was healing were revived for the survivors and the relatives of those who drowned, the most poignant moment of all was when Weymouth lifeboat sailed into sight and a wreath was placed at the spot in the harbour waters where the pinnace went down.
Survivors John Ellis, who lives in Leeds and is acting chairman of the HMS Illustrious Association, John Crocker from Folkstone, Bob Abery from Devon, and Alf Lowe from Auckland, New Zealand, were present for this important anniversary.
Mr Ellis recalled how he had stopped for a last sip of his pint in a Weymouth pub and just missed the liberty boat.
However, he caught the next one and came upon the carnage in Portland Harbour and was instrumental in pulling John Crocker from the water. He said: “It was the best and luckiest pint I have ever had.”
Mr Crocker said: “I was a very strong swimmer but, flung into the stormy sea, I did not appear to be making much progress and I discovered after being pulled out of the water by John that two mates had been clinging to my greatcoat tails.”
Bob Abery and some friends boarded the pinnace and sheltered under a canopy in the stern and when the boat hit the heavy seas in Portland Harbour, those in the bow of the ship were flung on to the canopy which collapsed under their weight.
Bob recalled: “I didn’t know what was happening as I was flung into the sea and a body floated past me, but there was no response when I called out so I don’t know what happened to him. I was eventually flung a rope from the vessel following and pulled aboard.”
Mr Ellis said that there are plans to have a permanent memorial placed in sight of where the pinnace was lost