SS Observer - sunk December 16, 1942

SS Observer sunk by U-boat 176 in the Atlantic 350 miles off Cape San Roque, Brazil, December 16, 1942 . Out of her crew of 81, 66 including her captain J. Davidson were killed. In the photo, Cadet Ronald Thomas of Bridlington, one of the 66 killed, is seated front on left with crew mates. Does anyone have any connection or information regarding the SS Observer or any of the other crew members?

 

x

 

Hi there - I assume most of your info comes from Uboat.net:

Observer (British Steam merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net


Naval history website only lists 3 (Navy) casualties for that incident:

Royal Navy casualties, killed and died, December 1942



16 December 1942


Observer, steamship
EVANS, Frederick, Act/Able Seaman (DEMS), P/JX 267541, (President III, O/P), MPK
FARRAND, Henry, Ty/Act/Sergeant, RM (DEMS), PO/22384, (President III, O/P), MPK
RAY, Joseph R, Act/Able Seaman (DEMS), P/JX 290535, (President III, O/P), MPK


I guess you are after the total crew list..........

 

The vessel made a decent fight of it by the look of it:

“The unescorted Observer (Master John Davidson) was hit by two G7a torpedoes from U-176 and sank within 30 seconds about 350 miles east of Cabo Sao Roque, Brazil. The Germans had chased the zigzagging ship for nine hours before attacking and questioned the survivors afterwards. The master, 57 crew members and eight gunners were lost. 14 crew members and one gunner landed at Fortaleza”

Interesting that the Germans interviewed the survivors
(in their life-boats?) prior to them reaching safety:

“The Brazilian Air Force contained old aircraft but soon bought aircraft from USA like the B-25 Mitchell medium bomber and others. The most important bases were at Natal, Recife, Fortaleza and Salvador”

 

To add to the 3 RN casualties there were 19 Merchant Navy casualties according to the CWGC:

001 BULPETT W - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

002 DAVIDSON J - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

003 DAVIES T - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

004 DICKINSON AM - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

005 FRITH T - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

006 JOHNSTON RWY - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

007 JONES E - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

008 LEYLAND S - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

009 MAGNER JJ - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

010 MUGFORD FM - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

011 PEARSON JE - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

012 REID A - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

013 ROBERTS DD - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

014 ROBERTS CM - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

015 ROBERTS J - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

016 SERGEANT W - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

017 SOUTHWORTH H - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

018 THOMAS R - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

019 WILKINSON CJ - SS OBSERVER LIVERPOOL 16/12/1942 MERCHANT NAVY

 

So I presume that the gunners on board were Army artillery types, but I can only find three Maritime regiment casualties for that date, all from different units......

 

Hello and welcome,
The last Crew Agreement should be held at Kew in piece BT 381/1987.
This file should list all of those aboard including Army and Navy gunners.

To add to the 3 RN casualties there were 19 Merchant Navy casualties according to the CWGC

A lot more than that. Remember many of the crews were Lascar seamen. So don't forget to check non-Europeans.


56 lost but there may be RA gunners not listed - check the Crew Agreement to be sure.
Note* U-Boat.net is an excellent resource but has been found wanting with regard to the MN crews. So best to do your own research.

ABDUL, GENERAL SERVANT. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy
ABDUL GHAFUR, SERANG. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
ABDUL GHAFUR, COOK. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
ABDUL MUNIF, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
ABDUL SATAR, GREASER. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
AKHLU MIAN, TRIMMER. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
AMIN ULLAH, SEAMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
ANWAR KHAN, TRIMMER. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
ARFAN ULLAH, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
ARJAD ULLAH, TRIMMER. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
ASGAR ALI, SEAMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
BULPETT, Quartermaster, WILLIAM, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
DAVIDSON, Master, JOHN, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
DAVIES, Third Officer, THOMAS, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
DICKINSON, Third Radio Officer, ALAN MILES, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
EVANS, Able Seaman, FREDERICK, P/JX 267541. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy.
FARMAN ALI, GREASER. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
FARRAND, Corporal, HENRY, PO/22384. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy.
FRITH, Fourth Engineer Officer, THOMAS, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
HASHIM ULLAH, CASSAB. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
INJAD ULLAH, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
JALAL AHMAD, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
JOHNSTON, Chief Engineer Officer, RICHARD WILLIAM YEOWARD, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
JONES, First Radio Officer, EDWARD, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
LEYLAND, Chief Officer, SYDNEY, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
MAGNER, Quartermaster, JOHN JOSEPH, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
MAJIB UR RAHMAN, SEAMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
MONAI KHAN, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
MUGFORD, Sailor, FRANCIS MILTON, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
MUHABBAT ULLAH, TINDAL. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
MUHAMMAD ALAM, GENERAL SERVANT. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
MUNAWAR MIAN, TINDAL. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
NUR MIAN, DONKEYMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
PANNA LAL, TOPASS. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
PEARSON, Second Radio Officer, JAMES ELGIN, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
RABAL HUSAIN, BHANDARY. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
RAHIM ULLAH, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
RAIS MIAN, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
RAY, Able Seaman, JOSEPH ROBERT, P/JX 290535. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy.
REID, Quartermaster, ALEXANDER, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
ROBERTS, Cadet, DAVID DOUGLAS, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
ROBERTS, Second Officer, JOHN, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
ROBERTS, Third Officer, CHARLES MILTON, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
SERGEANT, Third Engineer Officer, WILLIAM, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
SHEIKH JANU, SCULLION. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
SHEIKH MAHBUB, PANTRYMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
SHEIKH MUHAMMAD QASIM, CASSAB. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
SHEIKH PANCHU, GENERAL SERVANT. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
SHEIKH SADIQ, BHANDARY. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
SHEIKH SULAIMAN, GENERAL SERVANT. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
SIKANDAR ALI, SEAMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
SOUTHWORTH, Second Engineer Officer, HARRY, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
THOMAS, Cadet, RONALD, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).
WAZIR ULLAH, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
WAZU ULLAH, FIREMAN. S.S. OBSERVER (Liverpool). Indian Merchant Navy.
WILKINSON, Chief Steward, CHARLES JOSEPH, S.S. Observer (Liverpool).

Regards
Hugh

 

Thank you DaveB for the four posts - much appreciated.

The information that I had came from the Clydesite magazine web site:
http://www.clydesite.co.uk/articles/16dec.asp

PLus I also found reference on page 179 of the CWGC web site:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_reports.aspx?cemetery=90002&mode=1

And on Casualty Details on the CWGC web site at this link:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2364140

I had not come across your noted u-boat.net link

At one point I did find the BOMBAY / CHITTAGONG 1939-1945 WAR MEMORIALS, INDIA
web site where the Commonwealth War Dead - Casualties of the S.S. Observer, December 16, 1942 were listed however I have not been able to find that web site or the link to the Observer casualties again.

I see though that member Hugh Maclean has what appears to be the full list of casualties. My thanks to Hugh MacLean for that.

Regards,
Neil

 

Hello Hugh,

As noted in my above reply to DaveB, thank you for providing the list of those lost when the SS Observer was sunk on December 16, 1942.

Do you happen to know anything about such a list being available on the Bombay/Chittagong 1939-45 War Memorials, India web site that I referred to in my reply to DaveB above or where that web site can be found?

I note that your list contains crew members of H.M.S. President III. What if any is their connection to the Observer crew?

My thanks to you and to DaveB for the interest in my post and for your assistance.

Regards,
Neil

 

Hello Hugh,

I note that your list contains crew members of H.M.S. President III. What if any is their connection to the Observer crew?


Hello Neil,

Those from HMS PRESIDENT III were DEMS gunners [Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships]. DEMS gunners were mainly from the Royal Navy and Maritime Regiment RA. There were also about 150,000 merchant seamen who were given gunnery training. Their job was self explanatory really to defend the ship when it came under attack.

CWGC :: Cemetery Details hit the link and then at the bottom of the page hit 'Cemetery Reports' this will open an alphabetical list of all 6,469 Lascar's commemorated there.

Also hit the link below
Geoff's 1939-47 Search Engine

In the box marked "Ship or Unit text" enter 'OBSERVER' without quotes then hit 'Search'. Up will come the UK casualties of the ship. Run another search and again enter 'OBSERVER' in the "Ship or Unit text" but this time in the box marked "Regiment/Corps" use the drop-down and enter 'Indian Merchant Navy' enter 'Search' and up should come the Lascar casualties for the ship.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Hugh

 

Hello Hugh,

Thank you again for the additional information and links.

It is interesting that the three H.M.S. President III seamen were on board the Observer. Would they likely have been on board to assist in the DEMS training of the other Merchant Navy seamen on the Observer?

On the Geoff's 1939-47 Search Engine link where you suggested I select 'Indian
Merchant Navy' from the drop down list I selected 'Merchant Navy' and found family member Ronald Thomas among the 19 from the Merchant Navy that perished when the Observer was sunk.

At one time I thought I had found a web site that displayed Panel 75 where the names of the above noted 19 are inscribed on the Tower Hill Memorial however alas I failed to bookmark the site and now am unable to find it again. Would you happen to know where that particular web link can be found?

Many thanks again for your help - it is much appreciated.

Regards,
Neil

 

Hello Neil,
No the DEMS gunners were the main gun crew ably assisted by merchant crews.

Is this what you are looking for: CWGC Tower Hill O.A. Knudsen to Ocean Honour

Regards
Hugh

 

Hello Hugh,

Thanks for the explanation about the DEMS gunners.

Yes thank you, the link took me to a page where I could then go to a picture of panel 75 where the names of Liverpool seamen who drowned when the Observer was sunk are listed. The photo wasn't a particularly good one as the names were blurred and nearly impossible to read.

One day I hope to make the trip across the pond again and visit the Tower Hill Memorial and take photos. I'll make it to Scotland as well where I have relatives in Perthshire.

Regards,
Neil

 

Courtesy of the benjidog site

 

Hello Billy,

Many thanks for posting the great image of Panel 75 - it is wonderful and very much appreciated.

Neil

In memory of the countless many who paid "The Price Of Freedom"

 

Hi there,
I'm new to the site and only came across it after carrying out a Google search on the Observer.
My Grandfather was John Davidson, the Master.
I don't really know anything about him or the ship and his daughter, my aunt Jessie passed away earlier this year at 93 years old.
If any members can shed further light on my grandfather I would be delighted to find out more.
My own father passed away 30 years ago, but next time I'm back to my mum's I'll have a look through old photos and see if I can find anything of interest.
I do remember my own Dad telling me that he had been told that his father was an excellent navigator.
Anyway, thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Alan Davidson

 

Hello Alan and welcome,
If you could give his full name, date and place of birth we will endeavour to advise where you may find more about him.
Regards
Hugh

 

Hello Alan and Hugh,

My apologies to all for being AWOL from here for several months.

Thank you Alan for your post. Wonderful to hear of your relationship to Master John Davidson. With a little luck and a bit more information such as Hugh has suggested, possibly him or another member might be able to shed some light on your grandfather. I would be interested should you learn anything further.

Other than the photo that I included in my original post, the only other photo that was in my mother's collection of old family photos and that "may" have some connection to the Observer is a photo of her cousin Cadet Ronald Thomas and his girlfriend. As noted in my original post Ronald was one of the crew members lost when the Observer was torpedoed off the coast of Brazil.

The information that Ronald had written on the inside of the photo folder that he sent to his mother Annie Thomas in Bridlington may be of some interest to you Hugh. I can only guess that it may have been the address where he could have been reached at the time.

I don't know if this is of any help or not but I am happy to make it available to interested members.

Regards,
Neil

 

Hello Neil,
The address on the photo for Thos and Jas Harrison ship owners was current up until 2002 when the company went into voluntary liquidation and the Mersey Chambers were closed. The Harrison archive records were donated to the Liverpool Maritime Museum.

Regards
Hugh

 

Hello Hugh,

Thank you for your quick follow up to my post.

I see on this web site http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/harrison.htm that the Observer was one of the many ships owned by Thos and Jas Harrison. The web site claims that 81 lives were lost when the Observer was torpedoed and sunk:

Observer 1928 1942 torpedoed and sunk by U-Boat off Brazil; loss of 81 lives. 5,881

Information on the clydesite.co.uk web site http://www.clydesite.co.uk/articles/16dec.asp says the ship had a crew of 81 and that 66 including her captain (John Davidson) were killed.

My mother’s cousin Ronald Thomas was one of the 19 from the Merchant Navy that perished.

Regards,
Neil