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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

SS Justicia


The Monkey God

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SS Justicia was a British troopship sunk during the First World War. She was laid down as the SS Statendam, a 32,234 gross-ton ocean liner built for the Holland America Line by Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Before the ship was completed she was acquired by the British government and operated for them by the White Star Line.

After several trips as a troopship she was sunk by submarines off the British Isles in 1918.

History

On July 9, 1914, she was launched, christened and fitting out began. But before fitting out could be finished, the First World War started and work stopped on her for one year. In 1915, the British government requisitioned the Statendam for use as a troopship. The ship was at first given to the Cunard Line to manage because of the sinking of the Lusitania, and she was renamed Justicia (Latin for justice) because of their traditional ship suffix -ia. Cunard had a hard time getting a crew for the Justicia, so the ship was given to the White Star Line, who had the crew of the sunken Britannic available. The ship's grey hull was repainted in a dazzle camouflage scheme, and transported troops successfully.

Torpedoing

On July 19, 1918, she sailed unladen from Belfast to New York escorted by destroyers.[2] When she was 23 miles south of Skerryvore, Scotland, she was torpedoed by a German Type III Coastal U-boat, UB-64. She took on a list, but fortunately, her watertight compartments were closed in time, preventing her from sinking. However, UB-64 got a clear shot and fired two more torpedoes at Justicia striking her side. The escorts damaged UB-64 who left the area.[1] Most of the crew were evacuated, leaving only a small number on board, and unable to use the engines she was taken in tow by the tug Sonia intending to beach her safely at Lough Swilley, where the water were shallow enough. But then the fourth torpedoes struck the wounded Justicia. The ship still remained afloat. UB-64 had reported Justicia's position. The following day, UB-124 caught up with Justicia and fired two more torpedoes at Justicia at just after 9:00 am. These stuck her side and, by noon, remaining crew having been taken off she rolled over onto her side and sank beneath the waves. In total, she had been hit by six torpedoes. The destroyers Marne, Milbrook, and Pigeon attacked with depth charges and sank UB-124 with gunfire after she surfaced.

Today, she lies 28 mi (45 km) north-west of Malin Head, Ireland in waters 68 metres deep.

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My Great Grandfather John Propert was on the Justicia at the time and recounted..

Souvenir of Justicia

First torpedo 2.35 pm July 18th, 1918

Second TWIN Ts (two torpedoes I guess he means) 8.35 am July 20th, 1918

Sank 1.50 pm July 20th, 1918

post-49761-1267796718.jpg

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John Propert also served in the Merchant Navy during the Boer War. He also sailed on the Titanic, but had a row with the Captain over pay and left the ship. I assume in Queenstown Ireland as he wasn`t on it when it sank.

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There is no report at Kew for the sinking of Justicia, surely one of the most embarrassing episodes of the Great War. Tails must have been twisted and court martials followed but official information has been 'pulled' from British records. Surviving escort logs and convoy accounts paint a picture of abject confusion.

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There is no report at Kew for the sinking of Justicia, surely one of the most embarrassing episodes of the Great War. Tails must surely have been twisted and court martials followed but official information has been 'pulled' from British records. Surviving escort logs and convoy accounts paint a picture of abject confusion.

Thats is very interesting, thanks for that Clio. Certainly worth further investigation.

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GERMAN U-BOAT UB64 ON HER LAST TRIP. UB64 WAS WAITING IN THE WATERS OUTSIDE HARLAND AND WOLFF

IN JULY 1918 AND FIRED TWO TORPEDOES INTO THE

WHITE STAR LINER "JUSTICIA" AS SHE EXITED THE DOCKS.

ESCORT SHIPS DAMAGED UB64 BUT SHE SIGNALLED THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE STRICKEN LINER AND ANOTHER U-BOAT SANK THE JUSTICIA.

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John Propert was the electrician on the Titanic, he also served on the Olympic (its sister ship). Following the sinking of the Justicia he served on the SS Regina.

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  • 4 years later...

During renos I found a lapel pine that reads justica from the white star line. Was interesting reading the history of this ship. I wonder of this pin is worth anything

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  • 4 years later...
On 3/5/2010 at 1:45 PM, The Monkey God said:

My Great Grandfather John Propert was on the Justicia at the time and recounted..

Souvenir of Justicia

First torpedo 2.35 pm July 18th, 1918

Second TWIN Ts (two torpedoes I guess he means) 8.35 am July 20th, 1918

Sank 1.50 pm July 20th, 1918

post-49761-1267796718.jpg

@The Monkey God I'm currently doing research into the Justicia for a documentary series on shipwreck histories. Would be great to chat to you regarding any info you have on your G-grandfather's time on the ship. danny.likeashot@gmail.com

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  • 1 year later...
On 05/11/2018 at 17:54, Guest said:

@The Monkey God I'm currently doing research into the Justicia for a documentary series on shipwreck histories. Would be great to chat to you regarding any info you have on your G-grandfather's time on the ship. danny.likeashot@gmail.com

 

Presumably this was the currently showing (& available on UK TV 'catch up') episode 3, series 1 of the Yesterday channel's 'Shipwreck Secrets: The Dutch Titanic'

 

NigelS

 

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