SS Royston Grange

[Tony Morcom]

The following is a recording of the service held in Montevideo to mark the 40th anniversary:

[Mike Hall]

I have managed to obtain a copy of the above report.
within the report it suggests that the fumes from oil tanker had filled the
air around both vessels and when ignited burnt in a flash,killing eveyone
very quickly.

the following is a part from the report,which i find distubing.

"On the navigation bridge were found the charred remains of five
unidentifiable bodies lying in the positions which might have been
expected to be occupied by the pilot,master,officer of the watch,
helmsman and radio officer,and the only possible inference is that
these men must have died almost instantaneously at the post of duty.
in the case of the other crew members,there was some evidence to
suggest that there was just time to make some attempt to escape"

[Keith at Tregenna]

Added my thanks, this was / is for sharing your findings, found it a bit hard to press the like button: As you say yourself the thought of all can be disturbing. I cannot thank you enough as although distant, a family member was lost that day.

I have had a few inquiries from relatives and have been thanked for my reply, but have little else yet to add to your quest:

I will mail direct if I can help more.

Cheers,

K.

[Mike Hall]

now here is a lucky person.
his name,kevin may R 851196,signed on to the fated voyage
on 02/04/1972 as an assistant steward.
but signed off on 12/04/1972,just before it sailed.

also worth a mention is the standby captain
john capon R 125242,
he also signed on 02/04/1972 and signed off on 13/04/1972.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks for your update. K.

[Tony Morcom]

I sailed with Captain Capon on the Hardwicke Grange for one trip in 1973.

[Captain Kong]

I too sailed with Captain J. Capon on the Urmston Grange in 1958, I always recall him having many arguments with the Mate , Mr. Backhouse.
Captain Capon got us out of trouble with the Gauchos and the Vigilantes in Rio Queqien when we arrived back on board with three horses on the after deck.
I believe a few cases of whisky solved the problem. see story in Seafaring Stories thread. page 23 *227
Happy days.
Brian.

[Mike Hall]

i remember walter backhouse when i was on the royston grange,
he was the chief officer then.(1960/1961)
i do remember him telling the chief steward,to tell me to turn off
my radio i had set up in the galley,i was the galley boy (a cook in training).
the music helped us to get along better,but he did not see that,however
at times when it was his turn to be served,there always seemed to be a
delay of some kind,i dont know why!!!!!!!

[Ian D]

I have today, 3rd June 2012 just found this website and been able this morning to read all the posts and watch the video of the 40th Anniversary Memorial Service held on 11th May in Montevideo, posted by Cynthia Dicken(Thank you so much).

My Uncle John (Thearle) was on board that day in 1972 and passed over with his shipmates. That trip was to be his final trip before signing off and retired from the sea to return to Freshwater on the Isle of Wight to live and look after his Mum. Uncle John had been at sea all his adult life, joining the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War , serving in the Med during the war. After the War he joined the Merchant Navy. Unfortunately I do not Know which ships he served on except the final ship which was the Royston Grange owned by the Houlder line. I believe he was a crew member for quite a few years on board this ship but would really like to find out from any people who knew him or knew of him as a Greaser in the engine room.

I was 17 years old when the tradegy occurred and do remember watching the events unfold over several days,hoping upon hope that somehow he and many of his shipmates had managed to get to a place of safety well below decks on board the Royston
Information and detail at that time was sketchy and unverifiable. The distress and emotions were intense and after 3 days when the fires on and around the ships had diminished and the ships could be approached it became clear that there would be no suvivors from the Royston Grange.

Like so many other families, relatives and friends of the crew and passengers that day and the aftermath remain clear in our memories. Sadly Uncle John's Mum passed away 6 weeks later, literally of a broken heart. John's Brother and Sister have also now passed on and I believe are now with him in a better place. Sadly none of them were able to attend the original memorial service in Montivideo which was arranged by Houlder Brothers during 1972.

Therfore, what I am so grateful for this morning, its not only that I have today found this website and the information it holds; but also that I have been able to watch the video of the 40th anniversary memorial service held in Montevideo last month.

The comfort that my Mum , and John's mum and brother would have taken from being able to see that service and feel the caring and empathy that still exists and is shown by all involved and connected with the Royston Grange then and now 40 years later, would have been immeasurable.

Therefore today I would like to say 'THANK YOU' on behalf of John Thearle's family past and present, to all of those who have been involved in keeping the memory of the crew and passengers who passed on 11th May 1972 alive. Thanks also to all those involved in providing the final resting place in the British Cemetary in Montivideo and also to those in creating the Memorial Windows in All Hallows in The Field in London and in the church in Barry.

I do look forward to seeing posts from Anyone who knew my Uncle John and worked with him as a shipmate at any time.

Kind regards

Ian D

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thank you Ian:

Also, I have just amended one of the attachments: post 19.

I realise now that the picture of the Barry window was not the correct photo and was of a Russian Convoy tribute in Cardiff.

I do regret my error and have now re-posted the correct tribute, hopefully - this should be more noticeable.

I add the attachment here also in tribute and as part of this update.

Regards,

Keith.