Marconi

MARCONI

This should be of interest to the ex Brocklebank men among us. Those who think that the funnel on the old Maihar was tall should notice this one on Marconi. It certainly dominates the ship.
Built by Harland & Wolff Ltd., Govan, and launched on Wednesday, 19 April 1916 and delivered to Lamport & Holt Ltd on 1 February 1917.
In 1937 she was transferred to Kaye, Sons & Co, London.
On 21 may 1941 she was dispersed from Convoy OB-322 on voyage Manchester - Rio de Grande - River Plate in ballast and under the command of Master Frederick Emanuel Hailstone when at 05.12 hours she was hit by one torpedo from U-98 and sank after 33 minutes south-southeast of Cape Farewell. The ship had been missed by the same U-boat 18.36 hours on 20 May. Nineteen crew members and three gunners were lost at the time of the sinking. The master, 54 crew members and one gunner were picked up by the US Coast Guard cutter USS General Greene and landed at St. Johns. Eleven men killed on board, eight died in the boats and three died in hospital at St Johns.

Photograph belongs to Stuart Smith
Copyright A. Duncan, Gravesend, Kent.