Hi All
I have read over the years different versions of the battle of the Falklands and the sinking of the Dresden in Cumberland Bay. Do you have any word of mouth versions from your families. The one i have is from my Father from my grandfather (stoker on the Kent) is that they screwed the safety valves down on the boilers to get more steam. Is this possible? and does anyone know who fired first in Cumberland Bay?
Cheers Keith
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Keith, I have also read several books on the subject, but, like yourself, have never found any satisfactory version of the events that took place 14 March 1915.
My father was a great raconteur, but never went into details of actions that involved loss of life. I got the impression that the Glasgow had returned fire coming from the Dresden after her captain had evacuated the main part of his crew - as I understand it, this was following negotiations with the British ships.
I've posted a text written by my father that I found in his album after he died. I transcribed it as best I could, but even though I knew his handwriting well, certain words are no more than guesses. The final comment stating that the Dresden would only surrender to the Kent, is something I've never heard from any other source, but was clearly a fact in dad's mind. The notes appear to be preliminary jottings destined for inclusion in a longer text - sadly he died before this was ever written.
Concerning the boilers, I can only say that I was given the impression that Captain Allen was prepared to go to any lengths to maximise speed – it would not therefore surprise me that he had ordered all safety equipment to be shut down – none of these young men really imagined that they were going to survive for very long, and throwing caution to the winds of duty would have been seen as the only possible option.
I have been following the HMS Kent blog for a while. I have come across some items that may interest you all.
My Fathers Mothers Step Father was in the Merchant Navy and was posted on HMS Kent during the Battle of the Falklands (James Marshall). My father has in his possession various historic items relating to HMS Kent and the battle, including a Track Chart and a typed memoir of A short record of events up to and including the sinking of the Dresden.
I wondered if these would be of any interest to your group? Please do get in touch if you would like to.
Kind Regards,
Roderick Duggleby
rduggleby at btinternet dot com
Post a Comment