Poem ~ Cargo Steamer Sunk - Monday, 1 February 1915

Source: File: Linda Blanche.jpg, 2015. 30/01/1915 Linda Blanche SS [+1915] wreck. 1 February 1915. [online] Available at: <ww.wrecksite.eu/wrecked-on-this-day.aspx?HUX7Hr3uX6iJIiu1Pg2zvQ==> [Accessed: 1 February 2015]. ''SS Linda Blanche, built by Scott & Sons, Bowling in 1914 and owned at the time of her loss by Anglesey Shipping Co., Bangor, was a British steamer of 369 tons. On January 30th, 1915, Linda Blanche, on a voyage from Manchester to Belfast with general cargo, was sunk by the German submarine U-21''

Source: File: The locations of each of the three attacks in the Irish Sea..jpg, 2015. 1 February 1915. [online] Available at: <http://www.rte.ie/centuryireland/articles/submarines-sink-three-ships-in-the-irish-sea> [Accessed: 1 February 2015]. ''Submarine sinks three merchant ships in the Irish Sea German commander expresses regret but says 'War is war' Belfast, 1 February 1915 - Three British trading ships have been sunk in the Irish Sea by a German submarine. The submarine U21 sunk the Ben Cruachan, the Linda Blanche and Kilcoan along the Mersey-Belfast route. The sinkings are part of the concerted German attempts to cripple British trade.'' On the Sunday evening, As January drew to close, Was news of a steamer - the Linda Blanche, And her crew - who on Saturday 30 January, Left Manchester at 8 a.m. To sail for Belfast, Ireland. They carried a cargo, Of just general goods. Moving out to sea, when, at around 12 noon - A member of the steamer's crew was informed Of a submarine sighting - Made out by a boy. The young boy - being Related to the Captain - Was travelling on board, on that particular day. At that time, the Linda Blanche was eighteen Miles distant, from the Gil Bar Lightship. The crew’s reaction, Was at first to believe, The submarine shape was English - to provide Them safe support - pleased to see the vessel. As it sat on the surface, Figures came on deck. To call by megaphone An officer gave out orders To stop - his accent proving that he was German. Calling out he asked what cargo was carried aboard. In clear English, he gave Ten minutes to leave. In two boats they rowed, Across to the submarine. The U boat, they identified as U21 and on each crew Members caps, was stated ‘Unterseeboote.’ then Three German Officers Boarded Linda Blanche. They took with them A number of bombs. Within a short time - after some explosions - The young steamer Linda Blanche, began to sink. She paused in the air, Her bow, first down. Then the propeller, Was the last of her. Now amid the company of the submarine crew, The a-drift crew found the captors to act ‘humane,’ Providing a box of cigars, To ask if they had water. Cigarettes were given, To one U boat member, Who then was ordered not to keep them  -noting how The boy among the crew was not wearing any cap, he Was given, by an officer - A woollen balaclava hat.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. German Officers Aboard – Courteous behaviour. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 1 Feb. P.9. Col.6. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11380277/Daily-Telegraph-February-1-1915.html [Accessed: 1 February 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 1 February 2015). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11380277/Daily-Telegraph-February-1-1915.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered