S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

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Temujin
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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by Temujin » Thu Dec 29, 2022 1:19 pm

HMCS Columbia (photo is while in US service)
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HMCS Columbia during Canadian Service……I49
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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by Temujin » Thu Dec 29, 2022 1:35 pm

Couple more newspaper articles. This indicates BOTH TUNAHOLM and GULLMAREN arrived in South America with Survivors from the Shantung
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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by joppen46 » Thu Dec 29, 2022 2:05 pm

Hi I agree, I cant find any mention of a Swedish Colombia participating in this incident. I was thinking of the Dutch Colombia whom sailed from Halifax destination Iceland, but I think the timeschedule is a bit thigt.
Fyi I have ordered a copy of the Sea Court Hearings for the loss of Shantung from the national archive in Stockholm.

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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by joppen46 » Thu Dec 29, 2022 2:21 pm

Hi again could you please look for REMMAREN, some of the crew arrived to Gothenburg onboard her. I have been guessing she picked them up in England. I can not find that she participated in any convoy but she sailed frequently untill she was mined outside Norway in 1943.

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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by Temujin » Thu Dec 29, 2022 3:18 pm

joppen46 wrote:
Thu Dec 29, 2022 2:21 pm
Hi again could you please look for REMMAREN, some of the crew arrived to Gothenburg onboard her. I have been guessing she picked them up in England. I can not find that she participated in any convoy but she sailed frequently untill she was mined outside Norway in 1943.
Sorry, only information I can find is on here “mining” and loss
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Plans of REMMAREN
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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by joppen46 » Thu Dec 29, 2022 8:54 pm

The midship house was where the passanger cabins where, the 4 lifeboats where on the deck above the cabins. So when the fire threatened the lifeboats the decision was made to abandon ship.

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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by joppen46 » Sat Dec 31, 2022 5:57 am

I have found 2 poor newspaer copies.
The first one Helsingborgs dagblad from 18 dec 1941 states "Shantung warloss and sunk. All crew rescued by Tunaholm". The rest i unreadable so I will order a copy if posible.

Second one Göteborg Morgonpost from 21 of march 1942 states "Drifting all Christmas in lifeboat in icing cold weather, four men returning from Shantung. To passage ships (lejdbåtar) arrived Gothenburg late yesterday evening. They arrived on Remmaren from South America. With Remmaren where 4 people from Shantung, sailor Lars Larsson from Skepparslöv, first mate Gregor Hörle from Göteborg, head machinist Leonard Berntsson from Kungälv first machinist Ivar Knutsson from Göteborg.
Then I miss the last page of the newspaper where the story continues. But I will try to fn a complete copy of this newspaper.

ss Tunaholm was sailing westwards not eastward as I thought.

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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by joppen46 » Sun Jan 01, 2023 11:39 am

I have now found the relatives of Bishop from Cananda and got the story behind Butlers message.
".....Dec. 29 2004

From: A.H.BUTLER

SHANTUNG 1941

Hi FOLKS, seek your help.
I do voluntary research for folks,although i am ex MN one covers all aspects of services.
My MN Canadian friends rang me and ask if i could find about a CANADIAN AIR FORCE chap ROBERT ALBERT BISHOP R74699 that was lost on the SHANTUNG 25 12 1941 one can only take it for granted he was a passenger on this ship in convoy 165 bound from Halifax to LIVERPOOL and as you state in your web site that the ship was SHELLED, can you please tell me any details, which would be of help.
BEST WISHES.
HARRY H.BUTLER....."

Thru My Heritage and Ancestry I got in contact with Diane who knew Bill Bishop and put me in contact with him. And he wrote the followin message:

"Hello Jesper, My sister in law Diane sent me an email regarding her communication with you. Mr. Butler (whom I never met or spoke with) was doing some research on my behalf through a past president of a Canadian Merchant Navy chapter in British Columbia who has since passed away. There were quite a few members of the Canadian merchant navy association supporting our champagne to fly our old flag "The Canadian Red Ensign" at Vimy Ridge in France (and other places) back in 2007. "They offered" to do some research about my Uncle because they appreciated my efforts regarding the old flag. My Father now gone as well said he and his older brothers had gone to Victoria British Columbia to visit some government office a few times over the years to find out exactly what happened to their brother Robert Albert but they were never able to find any thing out and were told the information would not be available for fifty years. Unfortunately by the time I received this information my Father (last surviving brother) was not as enthusiastic about the past any more. My Dad's Father was in France And Belgium in WW1 with the Canadians, my Mothers Father was in Italy in WW2 with the Canadians, my Father in law went over on D Day with the Canadians and into Holland... all of them had brothers that served in the Army, Navy and Air Force. I have always had a great interest in our history and and a passion for our old flag, I find it very interesting to hear from you. What drives you to do this research? feel free to e mail, sincerely Bill Bishop "

So Bills father was brother to Albert Bishop. As you see his is interested in the history and remeberance of your forces.

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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by joppen46 » Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:24 am

[listShantung
Tid avg Tid ankomst Klockan Position Ärende Var vart Övrigt Källa

1929-01-01 Fartyg: SHANTUNG Bredd över allt 17,37 meter Längd över allt 133,19 (LPP) meter Reg. Nr.: 7552 Rederi: Svenska Ostasiatiska Kompaniet Byggår: 1929 Varv: Götaverken, Göteborgs MV Övrigt: Namnsignal: SEJN; D.w.t.: 10400; Br.t.: 6597,63 Sjösätts Götaverken, Göteborg www
1940-00-00 Svartvit foto av SHANTUNG i Köpenhamn med neutralitesflagga målad på sidan. Köpenhamn Rederimärke skorsten syns ej Danmark invaderas 9 april 1940 digital museum
? Köpenhamn - Halifax?
1940-09-13 1940-09-28 Konvoj HX73 SHANTUNG loaded with steel Halifax - Liverpool convoyweb
1940-10-31 ? Konvoj OB237 Liverpool - dispersed - Halifax? convoyweb
1940-10-04 1940-10-18? Konvoj HX78 ???? Halifax - Sidney CB convoyweb
1941-01-02 1941-01-17 Konvoj HX98/1 Sidney CB - Liverpool convoyweb
1941-03-12 ? dispersed position 61.28N 21.59W Konvoj OB297 Liverpool - dispersed - Mid East? Styckegods convoyweb
1941-03-00 ? Mid East till Halifax?
1941-09-22 1941-10-07 dispersed position 61.28N 21.59W HX151 Halifax - Liverpool 9 passagerare convoyweb
1941-11-01 1941-11-16 ON32 Liverpool - Halifax? troligen New Orleans New Orleans convoyweb, utredning 1963, warsailors.com
1941-12-02 1941-12-12 SHANTUNG inspekteras den 12 december i Halifax som duglig att ta officerare som passagerare av ej lägre rang än sergant. Commander no 2 Movment Group Halifax (första gången referens E.417 dyker upp för SHANTUNG) Last styckegods & bomull utredning 1963, communication movment group
1941-12-15 Tog ombord 9 passagerare, R.C.A.F , Buddle, Ray, Tompkins, Bishop, Houston (US), Ellis, Tyrell, frivilliga amerikaner Di Carlo, Ramsey. Biljett köpt av Furness Whity Co & Ltd, brokers i Halifax för summan 1260 dollar. kopia av broker kvitto
1941-12-15 1941-12-30 HX 165 Halifax Liverpool Halifax - Liverpool Sunk convoyweb
1941-12-18 Svenska skepp GULLMAREN och TUNAHOLM väntas lämna Göteborg för Sydamerika 0900 den 19 februari. Fart 14 knop och routed A.M. Fartygen skall inte störas om dom följer denna rutt. DODH 10.46 Home Command War Diary
1941-12-24 kl 23.25 Dova explosioner ombord utredning 1963
1941-12-24 kl 23.30 Vaktahavande maskinist ser brandrök i maskinrummet utredning 1963
1941-12-24 kl 23.35 Brand på spardäck, släckning med kolsyra påbörjas utredning 1963
1941-12-25 kl 00.35 Brand omöjlig att släcka, midskeppshusets hytter antändes. Omöjligt att nå branden i fartygets mitt, styrkablarna har brunnit av och livåtarna på midskeppshusets tak hotas av elden. utredning 1963
1941-12-25 kl 00.45? Livåtarna sjösätts utredning 1963
1941-12-25 kl 00.55? SB livbåt blir hängande i upp och ner i aktre taljan, större delen av livbåts besättningen på 19 man föll överbord. utredning 1963
1941-12-25 kl 01.05? Motor livbåt sjösatt, när den når fram till männen i vattnet har 5 drunknat. Bishop, Houston och di Carlo passagerare samt 2 ur besättningen drunknar? 6 pass och 31 crew är i livbåtarna utredning 1963 namn ifrån telegram ifrån engelska konsuln i sydamerika
1941-12-25 förmiddag Branden tycks avta, Shantung bordas igen för att släcka branden Oklart om det var hela besättningen ifrån alla 3 livbåtarna? Gick de fjärde livbåten att använda?
1941-12-25 14.17 GMT 59 50 N 23 30 W SHANTUNG SOS "We have to abandon ship any moment" Liverpool W/T Till Home Command 14.17 GMT Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 14.50 GMT Bäring 301 S.O.S. SHANTUNG Tiree RAF Scotland Till Home Command 15.01 GMT Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 15.00Z/25 Position 1500Z 60 42 N 19 48 W Går för att assistera SHANTUNG Väderrapport 3855 4046 HMCS TRAIL (flower class) 15.15Z/25 till ACIC repeterat till C and C WA Newfoundland force Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 15.10/25 Position 59 50 N 23 16 W Lyness W/T & c T.O.R 16.23/25
1041-12-25 15.17Z/25 Bäring från Port Patrick Radio 313 grader osäker sector Port Patrick Radio 15.17/25 to Navy Charge Grenock Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 16.07A/25 Om FREEBOTER kan bogsera EMPIRE MARLOW till UK. SNOWDROP undvara TENACITY för att assistera SHANTUNG brinnande och övergiven 59 55 N 20 38 W vid 02.30/25 NARCISSUS skall rapportera om SHANTUNG är möjlig att rädda. C in C W.A.1507A/25 till SNOWDROP NARCISSUS FOIC Greenock, BOADICEA, TENACITY, Admty Rescue Tugs Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 16.15/25 Om ej återsänt skall dett göras Port Patrick Radio 15.17/25 to Navy Charge Grenock Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 16.45/25 Elden håller på att ta över fartyget måste överges vilket ögonblick som helst 59 50 N 23 30 W SHANTUNG 16.50/25 Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 18.18/25 Er 16.07/25 TENACITY avdelad frammåt att fortsätta att assistera SHANTUNG Order given för 853 eller 500 K/es med NARCISSUS SNOWDROP 18.18A/25 till C in C W.A. *16.07/25 avsedd Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 20.20/Z Er 16.06A/25 * Min position 20.00Z 59 50 N 23 30 W har ej hittat SHANTUNG avser svepa bakåt mot pos 59 33 N 20 38 W NARCISUSS 20.20Z/25 till C and C W.A. Home Command War Diary
1941-12-25 22.05/Z Min 20.20/25 ELLIS rapporterar SHANTUNG troligen 30 nm väster om min 20.09 position eftermiddag (7 a.m.) Går mot den riktningen ELLIS rapporterar INGHAM går för att assistera. NARCISSUS 22.05Z/25 till C and C W.A. Home Command War Diary
1941-12-26 00.44/26 Pos 59 50 N 23 30 W ungefärlig Fartyget måste överges snarast. SHANTUNG 00.44/26 Home Command War Diary
1941-12-26 01.40Z/26 SHANTUNG ej hittad. Begärs flyg samarbet vid gryningen. NARCISSUS 01.40Z/26 Home Command War Diary
1941-12-26 07.20N/26 Väder är olämpligt för flyg spaning ifrån island idag ACIC till NARCISUSS 07.20N/26 Home Command War Diary
1941-12-26 13.00Z/26 Position 59 40 N 20 20 W I sällskap med NARCISSUS sökandes efter SHANTUNG på information erhållen av från svenskt fartyg som har överlevare ifrån SHANTUNG ombord. TENNACITY 13.00Z Home Command War Diary
1941-12-26 13.55Z/26 Kontaktat svensk fraktfartyg TUNAHOLM Fraktfartyget SHANTUNGs besättning upplockad av henne. SHANTUNG kanske fortfarande flyter 59 47 N 21 35 W Trail 13.55Z/26 to ASIC Home Command War Diary
1941-12-26 16.35/26 Mötte COLOMBIA vid 10.30Z/26 på trovärdig position 59 30 N 21 25 W Hon har sammlat up överlevar ifrån SHANTUNG 5 har förlorats. COLOMBIA rapporterade SHANTUNG ungefärlig bäring 080 grader 50 nm Carlingford styrandes 80 grader i 60 nm. Inget spår av fartyget Avser svepa NÖ och SÖ utifrån nuvarande position under natten TENNACITY i sällskap. NARCISUSS 16.35Z/26 Home Command War Diary
1941-12-28 Helsingborgs Dagblad rapporterar SHANTUNG krigsförlist besättningen räddad ombord Helsingborgs Dagblad
1942-01-02 Överlevare plockas upp av GULLMAREN
1942-01-02 Jag har sänkt SHANTUNG Gothenburg. Övergiven brinnandes från för till akter. Pos 62 28 N 018 30 W / Buccaneer Home Command fredag. Re SHANTUNG on fire 25/dec. Följande erhållet ifrån Capt. D. 17 Home Command War Diary
1942-01-02 Anger att besättningen plockades upp de 2 januari 1942 Okland Trubune 1942-01-13 Oakland Tribune
1942-01-12 GULLMAREN anlöper Rio de Janeiro med 20 överlevande ifrån SHANTUNGs förlisning, det inkluderar 6 RAF personal. Portland Press Herald 1941-01-20
1942-01-12 GULLMAREN amnlöper Rio de Janeiro med 20 överlevare, dom skriver torpederades den 25 dec och att besättningen plockades upp den 2 jan. Med ombord är 6 officerare ifrånRAF varav än är amerikanen Charles Ramsey. Oakland Tribune 1942-01-13
1942-01-15 Följande anlände här den 12 februari ombord på svenska s.s. GULLMAREN.Sgt Pilot amerikansk medborgare Charles Reed Ramsey. Rapporterad drunknad amerikanske medborgaren Russol di Carlo Meddelande from Consul General Rio till kanadensiska flygministeriet.
1942-01-19 TUNAHOLM anlöper Buenos Airies med 14 överlevande ifrån SHANTUNGs förlisning. Portland Press Herald 1941-01-20
1942-02-04 Memmorandun ifrån St Thomas. Ärende E417 SHANTUNG 5 personer har flyttas ifrån PARHAVEN (Hol) till MARQUESSA (Brit) då denna har livbåtar till passagerare vilket den förr aej har. MARQUESSA seglade ifrån St Thomas den 7 februari, destination Hampton Roads
1942-02-17 Man har lastat av 5 personer ifrån ångaren MARQUESSA i Halifax. Det är Buddle Henry James, Ray Richard Knox, Thomkins John Edward, Ellis William Henry, Tyrell Hubert John. Personalen önskar fortsätta på nästa båt (till England?) En annan överlevare Charles Ramsey, amerikansk medborgare tog sig på egen hand ifrån Rio till USA: Dept. Of national defence air service Ottawa Squadron Leader D.K. Whitham
1942-03-20 4 st av SHANTUNGs besättning anlöper Göteborg med fartyget REMMAREN. Matrosen Lars Larsson ifrån Skepparlöv, förstestyrman Gregor Hörle ifrån Göteborg, övermaskinisten Leonard Berntsson ifrån Kungälv och förstemaskinisten Ivar Knutsson ifrån Göteborg. Göteborgs Morgonpost 1941-03-21



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The above is a try to make a timline for the SHANTUNG loss It is in Swedish but I will try to translate later.
Regards Jesper

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Re: S.S. Shantung / Sgt Donald Houston

Post by joppen46 » Mon Jan 16, 2023 5:04 am

I looked at HMRT TENNACITY and found a note about her on a ship forum.

Hi Nigel,
Hope this is what you need ...

W 18 DILIGENT
1940 Built by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby, Yorkshire (Yard Nr 1238)
1940 October Delivered to Royal Navy (Pennant W 18)
1941 Renamed TENACITY
1947 Based Sheerness, renamed ADHERENT
1962 Sold to Neptun Bergnings och Dykeri A/B, Stockholm, renamed HERMES
(ON 10267, Call Sign SDHK)
1962 Re-engined in Holland, 2x diesel 4tew 9cyl Ruston, 3690bhp total
1970 Sold to Rivtow Marine Ltd, Vancouver, Renamed RIVTOW VIKING
(GBR flag, Reg Vancouver, ON 330812, Call Sign VDXJ, 578 grt;125 nrt)
1985 Sold to V.O.S. Leasing Ltd, Managed Viking Overseas Towing Ltd, Vancouver, British Columbia, renamed CANADIAN VIKING
2004 Still in service

Best Wishes
Raymond

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