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WORTHTOWN

Shipbuildervessel built by John Lewis & Sons (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1907 - 1976)

Date1939

Object NameCARGO VESSEL

MediumSTEEL

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 196 3/6' x breadth 30 7/12' x depth 14 3/12'
gross tonnage 805 tons

Object numberABDSHIP000092

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: John Lewis & Sons.
Yard Number: 145
Official Number: 167361
Subsequent Names: ILSE SCHULTE (1944); EMPIRE WORTHTOWN (1945); GLAMORGANBROOK (1946).

Fate: sprang a leak and sank off Scarborough 11 October 1946.

Propulsion: Steam
Description: Cargo vessel with raised quarterdeck.

Owners:
1939: Williamstown Shipping Co, London.
1942: Schulte & Bruns, Emden.
1946: Comben Longstaff & Co.

General History:
31/10/1939: had a dock trial, no sea trial was done.
02/11/1939: Builder's certificate issued

After the war she was sold to the merchant service as a prize of war, along with many other captured vessels".

12/10/1946:- SHIP'S MASTER DROWNED - Eric Barker, master of the 350-ton steamer GLAMORGANBROOK, was drowned when the ship sank off the Yorkshire Coast early yesterday. He was a non-swimmer and was lost while struggling to reach the ship's boat containing his wife and 13 members of the crew. When on her way from Blyth, Northumberland to Cowes, with a cargo of coal, the ship sprang a leak and began to fill rapidly. She was abandoned two hours later. The survivors were landed at Scarborough. The GLAMORGANBROOK left dry dock only a week ago after 18 weeks' overhaul. She was sunk at Dunkirk, but salvaged by the Germans and used by them until her recapture in 1945 at Flensburg".
(Times)

"26/06/2007 Glamorganbrook; 805 tons; 199x31 ft; Built in 1939 as the WORTHTOWN, for Williamstown Shipping Co, London. On the 27.5.40 she was bombed and sunk at Dunkirk, salvaged by Germany. In 1942 renamed ILSE SCHULTE, for Schulte & Bruns, Emden. In 1945 she was seized by Allies at Schlei and renamed the EMPIRE WORTHTOWN and was requisioned by MOWT. In 1946 she was renamed GLAMORGANBROOK, for Comben Longs taff & Co.

"09/03/2009 The GLAMORGANBROOK was on its first voyage after an 18 week overhaul in dry dock. She was bound for the Isle of Wight out of Blythe with a cargo of coal. At 2.40 a.m. she was off Robin Hood's Bay when she developed a slight list to port and then sprang a leak in the No2 hold. The pumps could not cope with the increasing inrush of water and the master ordered the crew to abandon ship. The crew of 14 and the Captain's wife successfully transferred to the boat but Captain Barker, who was the last to leave, perished after giving up his life jacket to his wife and falling between the boat and the ship.

He was unable to swim. The ship sank in five minutes "turning turtle" before going down. The survivors proceeded to row, in heavy seas, towards Scarborough. Meanwhile the Scarborough and Whitby Lifeboats were launched in response to the vessels S.O.S. call. Both boats were unable to locate any sign of the ship or crew off Robin Hood's Bay and it was not until the Scarborough boat returned home that the survivors were spotted, by this time only 1½ miles from the Castle Head. This ended the colourful service of a vessel that was torpedoed and sunk during the Dunkirk evacuations, salvaged by the Germans, recaptured by the British in 1945 at Flensburg.

Note: Engine number 223, boiler number 184

(Source: www.wrecksite.eu (Allen Tony))

(Ref: Time Line Navy & Ship Events (1946-2000)

(Source: www.wrecksite.eu (Carl Racey, A Century of Steamship Losses)