The Belmore had taken on coal at Malta
and having passed through the Suez canal, met heavy seas and foundered off Ras
Gharib in the Gulf of Suez. Of the crew of twelve, only four
survived. The survivors
were Donald Robertson 2nd mate, seaman Samuel Campbell, James Hepburn and
Callaghan both firemen. In a letter to his wife, which was reported
in the Greenock Telegraph on 9 July 1908, Robertson tells the amazing story of
his fifteen hours in the water clinging to wreckage before managing to get
ashore across a reef, and alert the lighthouse keeper at Ras Gharib. The
survivors suffered from cuts, bruises and the effects of the sun. One man, John Bowie, had a lucky escape. He had signed up for the voyage but did not sail.
Robertson tells the awful tale of his
shipmate, Hugh Gray who was spotted in the water near the shore clinging to a
hatch. One of the lighthouse keepers swam out to get to him but was
thrown back by the strength of the sea - he had been within five yards of the
man. Unfortunate Gray had no strength left and was drowned. There
were also reports that he had been attacked by a shark. His body was
washed up the next day. He left a widow and young son in
Greenock.
The captain, Charles Murchie (formerly
of Lochranza) was an employee of Fenwick & Co and lived in Dawes Point,
Sydney he left a widow and son. The mate Robert Booche of
Lochwinnoch died. A Gourock man, John M Gallaugher (55) died. He
seems to have been well known in the area.
All the other men came from
Greenock The Chief Engineer, James L Blue was one of those who
died. His wife told the local paper that he had intended to remain
in Sydney and try to find work there and would have sent for her and their
children once he was settled. Hugh Russell left a widow and two
young children. Donald Douglas was 28 years of age and worked for
the Clyde Shipping Company. He lived with his widowed mother and
brother.
Perhaps the saddest death is that of
Martin Oliver (45). He had served in the Navy and on the Clyde guard
ships Aurora, Superb and Benbow. Months before the fateful voyage he
had been in hospital for some time, having broken his leg. He left a
widow and eight children, the youngest of whom were twin boys. He
would never know his little daughter who was born months after his death and
only lived for a year.
The Board of Trade inquiry into the sinking recorded a verdict that the tug had
been overloaded when she left Port Said and that the Plimsoll marks had been
submerged.
The overloading had affected the
stability of the vessel.
Such a sad tale from 105 years ago, but
unfortunately not uncommon in those days in ports like Greenock. The
people of Greenock responded generously to the fund that was set up to assist
the widows and children of the men who had lost their lives.
The Greenockian
A sad tale indeed. And probably not too uncommon!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very moving tale, nicely told. I wonder where the survivors' descendants are and whether they know about this.
ReplyDeleteVery moving and so sad. Like Mike, I wonder about what became of the families of all the seamen - survivors and those lost. It is wonderful how the town rallied behind their own and took care of them. We had the same experience here in Australia in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bush fires in 2009. We are a country of some 23 million people, yet managed to raise tens of millions for the survivors. A monumental effort. People are good, and most have their hearts in the right places.
ReplyDeleteI received this comment from a descendant of one of the survivors. If anyone would like more information - get in touch with me.
ReplyDeleteA very sad tale indeed. However I can tell you that the descendants of
Donald Robertson are all well aware of the story. He was my maternal
grandfather. The full story of the Belmore (earlier name ‘Flying
Scout’) was carried in the ‘Tele’ on 13th June 1959. That report was
written by my uncle, also named Donald. Unfortunately I have no knowledge of the other survivors or their
descendants.
Thank you for this wonderful story, my Great Grandfather was the Capt Charles Murchie, his son also named Charles was my Grandfather, he went on to have seven children of his own two of which are still alive a son also named Charles and a daughter. There are many generation since to carry on the bloodline.
ReplyDeleteOnce again thank you for the story, I did not know it existed until today
Gary Niven
Hi Gary - thanks for getting in touch. Glad you enjoyed reading about the Belmore. Good to hear about Captain Murchie's family after his sad demise.
DeleteLiz
I'm only just discovering the story of the Belmore. The Chief Engineer, James L Blue, is my Great-grandfather. Very interested to read your quote from his widow. Any more detail about the local newspaper article and the 1959 report would be very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen
DeleteThanks for your comment.
If you get in touch with me by email I'll be able to give you more information.
Liz
My grandfather was one of the survivers,he was Richard Callaghan one of the firemen on the Belmore
ReplyDelete