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A torpedo need not sink a ship to cause casualties, for those inside a ship the explosion of the torpedo may be the last sound ever heard. Such was the sad case for four men in SS Idomeneus of the Alfred Holt Company on September 15, 1917. While en route from New York to Liverpool she was hit by a single torpedo fired from SMS U-67. She was later grounded to avoid sinking and repaired. Ultimately she was scrapped in 1933. |
© 2009 Michael W. Pocock MaritimeQuest.com |
Roll of Honour |
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In memory of those who lost their lives in SS Idomeneus "As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us" |
Name |
Rate |
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Cheong, Chung |
Fireman |
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Dudleston, George H. |
Junior Engineer |
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Kow, Leong |
Fireman |
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Sung, Chan |
Fireman |
To submit a photo, biographical information or correction please email the webmaster. |
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Idomeneus, date and location unknown. |
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Portrait of Idomeneus, artist unknown. |
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(Image courtesy of Pam Hayes) |
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1. Apr. 3, 2015 My great grandfather, John Bennett Allsopp, served on this ship/voyage. He talked about there being six Achinese crew that drowned and two English Crewmen who perished. He said the ship stayed afloat as it had a cargo of cotton which swelled and partly plugged the hole in the ship. Pam Hayes nee Allsopp Brisbane Australia (ex Portishead) |
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2. July 1, 2019 I've been exploring the Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides, and came across this grave. I did a little search and came across your website. No idea how the bodies ended up in Barra? Was the ship hit nearby and Barra was the first opportunity they had to dock? (Photos showing below.) Best wishes, Meilyr Powel |
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A memorial marker for Chan Sung, Chung Cheong and Leong Kow at Eaglais Chuithir Churchyard, Barra Island, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The men are buried at other locations on Vatersay Island. Chan and Chung at Annie Jane Monument Burial Ground and Kow at Carragarie Burial Ground. |
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(Photo courtesy of Meilyr Powel) © 2019 Meilyr Powel all rights reserved |
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Close-up of the memorial marker. |
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(Photo courtesy of Meilyr Powel) © 2019 Meilyr Powel all rights reserved |
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Overview of Eaglais Chuithir Churchyard, Barra Island, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. |
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(Photo courtesy of
Meilyr Powel) © 2019 Meilyr Powel all rights reserved |
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3. Aug. 25, 2020 The below photo is of George Henry Dudleston, who perished when the SS Idomeneus was torpedoed. George worked at Cammell Laird Shipyard in Birkenhead, UK. He was engaged to my great aunt Margaret. George and his best friend Harold met two sisters from Bradford Yorkshire on a day out in the seaside resort of Blackpool. Harold was my grandfather. The two young men were desperate to join in the war effort, tried to join the Royal Navy, but they were not allowed as their jobs were considered essential. You can just see on George's left lapel the badge worn by those in 'reserved occupations'. Eventually my grandfather gave up the search and survived whereas George persisted and managed to get on this Merchant Navy ship. George's body was taken back to Birkenhead to be placed in the CWGC. The three firemen were from Hong Kong: Chan Sung and Chung Cheong were buried in the Annie Jane Monument burial ground in Vatersay, Leong Kow was taken a short distance to Barra, in the Outer Hebrides. Sincerely Christine Slingsby |
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| George Henry Dudleston, late of SS Idomeneus. | |
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