TSS Hibernia (1899)
Tara's ship's badge
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History | |
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United Kingdom | |
Name |
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Owner | 1899–1915: London and North Western Railway |
Operator | 1896–1915: London and North Western Railway |
Port of registry | |
Route | 1900–1914: Holyhead – Dublin |
Builder | William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton |
Yard number | 618 |
Launched | 10 October 1899 |
Fate | Sunk, 5 November 1915 |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage | 1,862 GRT |
Length | 329 ft (100 m) |
Beam | 39 ft (12 m) |
Notes | Sister ship of SS Anglia (1900) |
TSS Hibernia was a twin screw
History
She was built by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton for the London and North Western Railway in 1899 and introduced into service in early 1900.[citation needed] She arrived at Dublin in January 1900, and served in the waters between Dublin and Holyhead.[2]
In 1914 she was requisitioned by the
She was
The story of Tara's crew is told by Captain Gwatkin-Williams in his book Prisoners of the Red Desert, Being a Full and True History of the Men of the Tara. The POWs were not held in a traditional POW camp, but rather at a desert oasis guarded by a few Turks and Arabs. Although only loosely guarded their escape was prevented by the surrounding desert and their general lack of food and water. Near the end of their captivity, inspired by their hopeless situation, Captain Gwatkin-Williams did attempt escape. After walking through the desert for two days he blundered into an Arab camp while walking at night and was recaptured and returned to Bir Hakeim.
After accidentally finding a letter from Captain Gwatkin-Williams to a Turkish officer stating the desperation of the situation at Bir Hakeim, the Duke set off to find the POWs. With a guide who had been to Bir Hakeim some 30 years previously as a boy he set off across the desert estimating that he was about 70 miles (110 km) away. Passing the 70 mile estimate and running low on fuel he kept going as long as there was any hope, finding the camp after traversing 115 miles (185 km).[4][page needed] Captain Gwatkin-Williams estimated the prisoners were only a few days from death due to starvation when the Duke of Westminster rescued them.[4][page needed]
References
- ^ Railway and Other Steamers, Duckworth. 1962
- ^ "Ireland". The Times. No. 36057. London. 5 February 1900. p. 6.
- ^ Steel Chariots in the Desert. S.C. Rolls, 1937. Leonaur Books. pp. 38-53
- ^ a b Gwatkin-Williams, Captain R.S.; Prisoners of the Red Desert, Being a Full and True History of the Men of the Tara. Thornton Butterworth, LTD, London. Circa 1921.