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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Looking for an unfindable ship


museumtom

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Hello all, please bear with me. I am looking for a ship owned by the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company that was torpedoed in March 1917, the name looks like Steamer Athos, could be Athea. I cannot find it on the net. May I please ask you most kindly to see if you can identify this for me please.

Thanking you sincerely in advance.

Kind regards.

Tom,

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The French vessel Athos was torpedoed at midday on 17th February 1917, en route from Port Said to Marseilles, by U65 under Lt Hermann von Fischel. 754 lives lost (including 453 CLC labourers).

If this is the one, let me know - there is a section on this in Gregory James' book on the Chinese Labour Corps.

Thanks

James

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There was also a Norwegian Steamer Athos sunk near Kettleness Point by UB 34 on 26th January 1917 with 2 casualties.

It doesn't sound like an Indo-China Steam Navigation Company vessel. They seemed to be called Ping Pong, Chop Suey etc

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Thanks everyone, but James has it exactly. I did not realise there were that many casualties. So very sad. The lad I am looking for on the ship is Timothy Cronin. I cannot find him in the CWGC. Perhaps the ship does not qualify for inclusion?

Thank you IPT Fallodan and James for all your kind help.

Kind regards.

Tom.

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Wow what story, heroes every one.

Thanks for the story.

Kind regards.

Tom.

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Ship was owned by Messageries Maritimes, apparently.

1,846 passengers and 328 crew on board, but there were two escorting destroyers, so they were able to pick up 1,420. Of the 754 lost, 543 were CLC recruits, 104 were from 77th Senegalise Light Infantry. Also lost were Captain Andre Silvestre, Adjutant Henri Poujetoux, Purser Paul Ramel and Lieutenants Blaise Roubert and Jean Santi. I guess your Timothy Cronin was one of the remaining 100 lives lost.

This attack was instrumental in bringing China into the war on the Allies side on 14th August 1917.

James

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That's great James. I really do appreciate your help, and for the time you spent to collect this data for me.

Kind regards.

Tom.

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This is probably your man:

CRONIN, Timothy (32) Fireman

Born: Cork. Died: 27 Oct.1918, at Sea (Influenza).
of 24, Osprey Street, Rotherhithe, London.
Ship: Corinthian (Glasgow) O.N.111257
Terry
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Ah, so he survived the Athos sinking... only to die of flu...

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Sorry lads, he was a Master Mariner, not a fireman.

Kind regards.

Tom.

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Can only find one other possible with a first name initial T.

Several more named CRONIN with different forenames, but none master mariners

CRONIN, T. (54) A.B.

of 7, Have Street, Bootle. Born: Liverpool.

Ship: Port Jackson O.N. 84362 (Aberdeen)
Died: 28 April 1917 At Sea Drowned Ship Torpedoed
BT334 series Deaths at sea 1781 - 1968
Terry
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Thank you Terence, I appreciate that.

Kind regards.

Tom.

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I can find only 2 records, (Second Mate 1861 and First Mate 1869), for a Timothy Cronin in UK & Ireland Masters and Mates Certificates 1850-1927. However, this chap was born in 1842, (Liverpool), which would make him about 75 in 1917.

JP

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Thank you for that JP.

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Thank you Falloden, She really is big one.

Kind regards.

Tom

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