Society Chief Executive speaks on Merchant Navy service cancellation

The Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Commodore Malcolm Williams, has spoken to BBC Radio Sussex about the unfortunate cancellation of the service to recognise the sacrifice of the Merchant Navy, planned for Tuesday 17 October.

The Mercantile Marine lost 17,000 crew and more than 2,400 ships In the First World War with the fishing fleet losing 675 vessels and over 400 fishermen. The introduction of the convoy system in May 1917 reduced the losses and saved Britain from being starved into capitulation.

Source: The Times

The service was cancelled for security reasons after the City of London was accused of refusing to close a short stretch of road.

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