Honouring the Men who gave their lives whilst serving in the Merchant Navy
and whose names are on the Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
and whose names are on the Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
S. S. NAPIER STAR (London)
S S Napier Star was sunk on 18 December 1940 by torpedoes fired by German submarine U-100. Many survivors perished as a result of the cold and adverse weather conditions. Overall there were 15 survivors and 84 died.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) 26-3-1941
U-BOAT VICTIMS ORDEAL
Adrift in Gale
SYDNEY Tuesday - A, grim story of their ordeal when the Napier Star was torpedoed in the Atlantic during a mid-winter gale was told by Mr and Mrs F. Fulton, who have arrived in Sydney by an American vessel. Within 30 hours of the sinking five people had died from exposure in their boat. I was sitting in the smoke-room of the liner listening to the howl of the gale outside, said Mrs Fulton ' The winter weather was so bad that we did not think there was anything to fear from submarines and we were all looking forward to getting through the danger zone safely. Then came a dull booming sound and the ship heeled over slightly I said "This is it' and then I went as quickly, as I could in the darkness down to our cabin. My husband was there and we both put on heavy clothing and life jackets There was no time to do anything except take our torches and make for our boat stations. "We were lowered in a boat, and as we pulled away from the side the U-boat launched a second torpedo. That was only 10 minutes after she had first fired without warning, and some boats were still being lowered. In our boat which was commanded by the second officer, were Dr and Mrs. Ray Last, both Australians, a 71year-old woman and several men passengers in addition to members of the crew. We three women were all as warmly wrapped as we could manage but the cold was terrible.
'I will never forget that first night," Mrs. Fulton said ' During the next day we had to keep baling. We could not see for more than half a mile. When the morning of the second day came five of the men in the boat had died. Their bodies were put over the side into the sea and I think we all felt that it would not be long before we followed them. On that second day everything seemed hopeless We did not think we would last much longer, and in spite of everything we could do for her the old lady was very ill and delirious. The men were half dead from exposure. Mr Fulton a mining engineer explained that it was just at this time that almost miraculously they were sighted by a Swedish freighter and picked up. Among the passengers who were not saved was Mr. G C Codlin, London manager of ' The Argus," and his wife. ' I knew them both ' said Mr Fulton and I saw them for the last time as they got into a lifeboat next to ours.
U-BOAT VICTIMS ORDEAL
Adrift in Gale
SYDNEY Tuesday - A, grim story of their ordeal when the Napier Star was torpedoed in the Atlantic during a mid-winter gale was told by Mr and Mrs F. Fulton, who have arrived in Sydney by an American vessel. Within 30 hours of the sinking five people had died from exposure in their boat. I was sitting in the smoke-room of the liner listening to the howl of the gale outside, said Mrs Fulton ' The winter weather was so bad that we did not think there was anything to fear from submarines and we were all looking forward to getting through the danger zone safely. Then came a dull booming sound and the ship heeled over slightly I said "This is it' and then I went as quickly, as I could in the darkness down to our cabin. My husband was there and we both put on heavy clothing and life jackets There was no time to do anything except take our torches and make for our boat stations. "We were lowered in a boat, and as we pulled away from the side the U-boat launched a second torpedo. That was only 10 minutes after she had first fired without warning, and some boats were still being lowered. In our boat which was commanded by the second officer, were Dr and Mrs. Ray Last, both Australians, a 71year-old woman and several men passengers in addition to members of the crew. We three women were all as warmly wrapped as we could manage but the cold was terrible.
'I will never forget that first night," Mrs. Fulton said ' During the next day we had to keep baling. We could not see for more than half a mile. When the morning of the second day came five of the men in the boat had died. Their bodies were put over the side into the sea and I think we all felt that it would not be long before we followed them. On that second day everything seemed hopeless We did not think we would last much longer, and in spite of everything we could do for her the old lady was very ill and delirious. The men were half dead from exposure. Mr Fulton a mining engineer explained that it was just at this time that almost miraculously they were sighted by a Swedish freighter and picked up. Among the passengers who were not saved was Mr. G C Codlin, London manager of ' The Argus," and his wife. ' I knew them both ' said Mr Fulton and I saw them for the last time as they got into a lifeboat next to ours.