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Archiver > TheShipsList > 1998-03 > 0888934474


From: Andy Skarstein <>
Subject: Re: TheShipsList-D Digest V98 #140
Date: Tue, 03 Mar 1998 14:14:34 +0000


> #14 Re: #22 [TSL] Lookup; ENG>CAN>1938 [Andy Skarstein
<]
>
>______________________________X-Message: #14
>Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 09:35:59 +0000
>From: Andy Skarstein <>
>To:
>Message-Id: <>
>Subject: Re: #22 [TSL] Lookup; ENG>CAN>1938-1940
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>> #22 [TSL] Lookup; ENG>CAN>1938-1940 [PRL DUNBAR <>]
>>
>>______________________________X-Message: #22
>>Date: Thu, 26 Feb 1998 13:30:14 EST
>>From: PRL DUNBAR <>
>>To:
>>Message-ID: <>
>>Subject: [TSL] Lookup; ENG>CAN>1938-1940
>>Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
>>Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
>>
>>In the early part of the 1939/1945 war a ship carrying many children as
>>evacuees from the UK to Canada was sunk by enemy action with much loss of
>>life. I believe the ship sailed from the north of England, possibly
>Liverpool.
>>
>>Can anyone identify the ship for me, or suggest possible names?
>>
>>I was told by my parents that my brother and I had tickets for the passage,
>>but mum changed her mind at the last moment, proving that a boy's best
friend
>>is indeed his mother!
>>
>>Would a passenger list show last-minute cancellations? Any ideas on how I
can
>>get passenger lists information?
>>
>>
>>TIA
>>
>>Patrick (and brother Peter) Dunbar
>>
>
>
>Hi ....
>
>I believe you are referring to the "Childrens Evacuee Programme" of the
>early part of WW2 which came to an end with the sinking in 1940 of the
>"City of Benares" in the North Atlantic with a large loss of life.
>
>I will dig out what info I have on this ship and post again next week (work
>permitting !)
>
>Cheers /// Andy Skarstein
>
>(Note: The content of this EMail is my personal view and opinion, and is
>in no way to be construed as the position of the company)

Further to the above:

CITY OF BENARES

Owners:Ellerman Lines, Glasgow
Built:Barclay Curle, Glasgow (Yard Nr 656)
Engines:Cammel Laird geared turbines (6,600 SHP), single screw
Speed:Cruise 15kts, max 17.25 kts
Dims:11,081 gross tons
509' x 62.7' (155.1m x 19.1m)
Capacity:219 passengers (one class)
180 crew

1936 5 AugustLaunched
10 OctoberDelivered to owners
24 OctoberMaiden voyage (Liverpool - Bombay)

194018 September
On voyage between England and Canad, and sank very quickly.
Of 406 (inc 90 children) passengers aboard, 248 (inc 70 children) died.
Bad weather made it very difficult to lower lifeboats.

This info taken from Vol 4 page 26 where there is a photograph of the ship

The above is from a superb series of books describing all passenger ships
over 10,000 GRT; originally published in Germany 1972/4, and in the UK by
Patrick Stephens Ltd, Cambridge between 1975/77. These were reprinted
(with amendments and updates) between 1984/86.

"GREAT PASSENGER SHIPS OF THE WORLD" by Arnold Kludas

Originally in 5 volumes covering the period from 1858 to the late 1970's

Vol 11858-1912
Vol 21913-1923
Vol 31924-1935
Vol 41936-1950
Vol 51950-Present Day (late 1970's)

Vol 6 (1977-1986) was published in 1986

A 7th volume "GREAT PASSENGER SHIPS OF THE WORLD TODAY" published by PSL in
1992

The series is a valuable source and should be available from most good
libraries.

Cheers /// Andy Skarstein

(Note: The content of this EMail is my personal view and opinion, and is
in no way to be construed as the position of the company)

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