Anyone got any information on her? I'm interested in any information especially a crew/passenger list. I've searched Kew but could only find her listed in a ADM 199 Convoy File and I'm not sure of the content of that.
Drew, You may hopefully find her last Crew Agreement for 1944 held at Kew under the ship's official number 147767 in piece BT 381/2872. The Canadian ship ALBERT C. FIELD was torpedoed by a German aircraft on June 18th, 1944, off St. Catherine's Point. She sank in 3 minutes. Four of the crew were lost. Bramley, Master, JOHN ROBERT, S.S. ALBERT C. FIELD (St. Catharines, Ontario). Brown, Able Seaman, FREDERICK, S.S. ALBERT C. FIELD (St. Catharines, Ontario). MOCASSAR MURO, Fireman and Trimmer, S.S. ALBERT C. FIELD (St. Catharines, Ontario). O'Grady, DERMOT. Second Engineer Officer. S.S. ALBERT C. FIELD (St Catharines, Ontario). Merchant Navy. 20th July 1946. Snoddy, Sailor, IVOR, S.S. ALBERT C. FIELD (St. Catherines, Ontario). Regards Hugh
From my forthcoming book "The Sea is Their Grave" dedicated to all the ships commemorated on the WWII section on Tower Hill Memorial" Cargo ship Albert. C. Field, 1,764grt (Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Co. Ltd) had loaded a cargo of ammunition and bags of mail for American troops at Normandy and was to join up with the 18 ship Convoy EC-14, which sailed from Southend on the 17th June 1944 bound for the Seine Bay. The following day just before midnight South-East of the Isle of Wight in position 50’ 28N 01’ 46W the Albert C. Field was hit by a German aerial torpedo amidships setting fire to the bags of mail in number two hold and blowing both lifeboats out of their davits. Three rafts were quickly released and the crew began to abandon ship. Within three minutes of being hit the ship broke in two and sank taking four crew with her. The survivors were picked up by the naval trawler HMT Herschell and landed at Portsmouth the following day.
I have the crew list for the Albert C Field from TNA BT381/2872. Who are you looking for? There are 29 names listed. Dave W
Hi Dave, Another forum member asked me if I could find the info at Kew and a thread was started as a result. Having been so busy of late for the life of me (Sorry whoever you are) I can't remember who asked. If possible, I suspect the best thing to do would be to post the list if you can in the hope they will pick up on it at some point. Regards Andy
Information from this site and I have translated it by google. Untitled Page Canadian steamer built in 1923 by Furness Shipbuilding Company (Haverton United States). Long 77.1mx 13.2mx width hollow 5.4m, 1764 tons, triple expansion engines, 111 hp, 10 knots, 23 crewmen and 10 passengers. Home port: St. Catherine. Owned by Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Tp Co Ltd, it was requisitioned by the British government during the war, his mission was to carry cargo around the English coast. There are several mishaps: the 05/02/1941, the boat is caught in a huge storm, zero visibility the fact aground. The captain made a request for assistance in knowing that it will happen later. The next day the weather has calmed down, a tug and a fishing boat to emerge ALBERT C. FIELD. There is no damage. A month later it passes through a German air attack. ALBERT C. The FIELD leaves Penarth on 16/06/1944 and joined the convoy EBC-14 consists of a dozen boats and sails to the landing beaches with 2,500 tons of ammunition and mail bags for the soldiers. On June 18, the captain remarks aircraft flying at about 250 feet above them. The ships of the convoy think it is because it allies had not been warned of the presence of enemy aircraft in the area and therefore no one opens fire. Suddenly, ALBERT C. FIELD is severely damaged by unexpected air attack and sank in less than 3 minutes. Its cargo of 2,500 tons of ammunition and 1,300 mail bags on fire accelerates sinking. It flows by four victims.
Hi Andy The crew list is too big to scan and in any case is very faint so wouldn't be of much help. If anyone wants any details just ask and I'll give the info requested if it's listed. Dave W
I copied the whole file as I can't remember who asked for info and what info they wanted. If its you make yourself known to me Here's the crew list:
