Members of the Wedgwood family have also long looked after – and continue to look after – the Society’s ex-WW11 Collecting Mine sited at Robin Hood’s Bay.

The exhibition generated funds to the value of more than £3,400 for the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society and we are so grateful for this tremendous level of support which will be put to very good use supporting those from the fishing and maritime community who are suffering hardship and distress.

Our sincere thanks to the Wedgwood family for their continued support of this Charity’s work.

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Launched to coincide with the International Day of the Seafarer (25 June), the Society’s Maritime Photographic Competition, supported by headline sponsor Ensign and the Fishmongers’ Company, encourages photographers, both amateur and professional, to enter pictures that capture the essence of Britain’s enduring connection with the sea – including its merchant ships, fishermen, coast, harbours and ports.

Celebrating its 180^th year, the Society is searching for standout images relating to all aspects of the UK’s historic relationship with the sea. Photographs should be submitted through the Society’s website https://shipwreckedmariners.org.uk/photography-competition-2019/ before the deadline on Monday 26 August. Photographers can also enter their pictures via email, post or the Society’s social media channels.

The competition will once again be judged by a prestigious panel of experts, including Sunday Times Picture Editor, Ray Wells, Picture Editor of the i, Sophie Batterbury and the Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Capt. Justin Osmond RN. The winning photographer will receive a £500 voucher for photographic equipment.

Discussing the competition, Captain Osmond said: “Britain’s strong maritime heritage can be traced back through generations and the history of our rich relationship with the sea is something we should be proud of.  We should not forget this, nor how heavily we rely on our maritime community today, given that 95% of our imports and exports by volume* are transported by sea.

“It is special to see all of the entries come in over the summer and for people to share their personal stories of the sea through photography that can be enjoyed by all.”

Ensign Marketing Director, Jemima FitzMorris added: “We are thrilled to be supporting the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society as the headline sponsor of the annual Ultimate Sea View photography competition. The Society’s support for merchant seafarers, fishermen and their dependants can be life-changing for those in need and as the UK’s only specialist maritime pensions provider, ensuring that seafarers, mariners and all those working in the industry have a comfortable retirement is a key part of our vision at Ensign, and one we share with the charity.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society supports fishermen, merchant mariners and their dependants who are suffering financial hardship, whether due to accident, ill health, unemployment or in retirement after a life spent working at sea. A total of over £1.4 million was paid in grants over the last year in 2,000 cases of need.

*The British Ports Association

Competition T&Cs:

• The closing date for entries is Monday 26th August 2019
• Entrants must state whether they are a professional or amateur photographer upon entry
• By entering the competition, you give permission for your images to be recreated by the Charity, competition sponsors and any media partner free of charge
• This competition is open to residents of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland aged 16 years or over
• It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the competitor agrees to abide by these rules. The decision of the judges is final. Submission of an entry will be taken to mean acceptance of these terms and conditions
• All entries must be received by the advertised closing time and date
• Entries should be submitted through the entry form on the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society website https://shipwreckedmariners.org.uk/photography-competition-2019/, via email ShipwreckedFishermen@definitionagency.com or through the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Facebook and Twitter pages. Entrants should include their own name, address and telephone number. Postal entries may be sent to Definition Agency, 1 Park Row, LS1 5HN.
• All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that any images they submit have been taken with the permission of the subject and do not infringe the copyright of any third party or any laws. By submitting images, entrants confirm that the photograph they are submitting is their own work and that they own the copyright to it
• Copyright in all images submitted for this competition remains with the respective entrants. However, in consideration of their providing them for the Competition, each entrant grants a worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual licence to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society and sponsors of the competition to feature any or all of the submitted images in any of their publications, their websites and/or in any promotional material connected to this competition.
• Late entries will not be accepted. No responsibility can be accepted for lost entries and proof of transmission will not be accepted as proof of receipt
• The winning entry will be that which is judged to be the most visually appealing, original and self-explanatory. The winner will be notified within three weeks of the closing date of the competition
• The winners will be asked to take part in publicity
• The winners’ name and hometown may be used for the Charity’s publicity purposes
• All prizes are non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives

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The visit gave the Lord Mayors an opportunity to meet the Society’s Chief Executive, Captain Justin Osmond RN, as well as staff, enabling them to be briefed on the Society’s history and visit its seasonal Christmas card shop.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Lee Mason, said: “The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society carries out such important work within the maritime industry and it is an absolute pleasure to have been appointed as ex-officio Vice-President earlier this year.

“It has been extremely enjoyable to visit Chichester today to meet the Society’s staff and volunteers and further understand the history and ongoing activity of the charity. Following this visit I am excited for what the future holds, and I sincerely look forward to playing a part in it.”

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne, Councillor David Down, said: “Since my appointment earlier this year I have been really keen to keep up with everything the Society has been doing to ensure it is providing the necessary support to our seafarers  – including the work of its volunteers in Blyth and North and South Shields.

“Today, however, I have been able to get right into the heart of the charity and in doing so, have thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the hard-working staff and volunteers here, who do a tremendous job in promoting the charity and helping those in need each and every year.”

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Chief Executive, Captain Justin Osmond, said: “We are delighted to have been able to welcome both Councillor Mason and Councillor Down to Chichester, so we could provide real first-hand insight into this historic charity and to demonstrate our pleasure in having them on board.

“We’ve had a really positive year, so it is especially pleasing to be able to share our activity with the Lord Mayors and look forward in earnest to what 2019 has to bring.”

Earlier this month, the Society marked the hundredth anniversary of the Armistice with a video, remembering more than 17,000 Merchant Seaman and Fishermen that lost their lives during WW1. The video recognises the admirable endurance and sacrifice of the men of the Mercantile Marine and Fishing Fleets in WW1, which saved the nation from starvation. During the conflict, the charity assisted some 52,000 sailors.

To view the charity’s online Christmas card and gift shop, go to https://www.christmas-cards.org.uk/shipmariners/

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SS Murcia was a British cargo vessel built in 1915 by Short Bros., Ltd., Sunderland. At the time of her loss three years later, she was owned by the English & American Shipping Co. Ltd., London.

On 2 November 1918, the Murcia was travelling on a voyage from Bassein to Marseille with a cargo of rice and funnies when she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by a German U-boat under the command of Hans Schuler. At the time of the attack, the British steamer of 4,871 tonnes was 12 miles north of Port Said.

Sadly, one life was lost as a result.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has offered assistance for fishermen and mariners in need since 1839. The maritime charity provides help for mariners, retired seafarers and their dependants, through financial help including welfare grants, as well as assistance and support.

Photo credit: wrecksite.eu

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British cargo vessel, SS Hunsdon, was built in 1911 by Wesser Co., Bremen, originally for the Hamburg & Africa Line. The steamer of 2,899 tonnes was owned at the time of her loss by The Shipping Controller, London.

On 18 October 1918, the Hunsdon was on route from Le Havre to Belfast when she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by a German U-boat commanded by Johannes Muller.

Sadly, one person lost their life as a result.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has offered assistance for fishermen and mariners in need since 1839. The maritime charity provides help for mariners, retired seafarers and their dependants, through financial help including welfare grants, as well as assistance and support.

Photo credit: wrecksite.eu

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SS War Council was a British cargo vessel of 5,875 tonnes. She was built in 1917 by the Kawasaki Dockyard Co. Ltd., Kobe. At the time of her loss a year later, the steamer of 5,875 tonnes was owned by The Shipping Controller, London.

On 16 October 1918, SS War Council was travelling on a voyage from Barry to Port Said with a cargo of coal when she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by a German U-boat under the command of Kurt Hartwig. At the time of the attack, the War Council was located 85 miles WSW of Cape Matapan.

Thankfully, there were no casualties.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has offered assistance for fishermen and mariners in need since 1839. The maritime charity provides help for mariners, retired seafarers and their dependants, through financial help including welfare grants, as well as assistance and support.

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RMS Leinster was defensively-armed Irish passenger ship of 2,646 tonnes, built in 1897 by Cammell Laird & Co., Birkinhead. She was subsequently used as a Royal Mail Ship, operated by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company.

On 10 October 1918, HMS Leinster was torpedoed by a German U-boat while bound for Holyhead and subsequently sank just outside Dublin Pay, four miles east of the Kish light vessel.

Sadly, more than 500 people lost their lives in the tragedy – the largest single loss of life in the Irish Sea.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has offered assistance for fishermen and mariners in need since 1839. The maritime charity provides help for mariners, retired seafarers and their dependants, through financial help including welfare grants, as well as assistance and support.

Photo credit: wrecksite.eu

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British merchant vessel SS Thalia was built in 1917 by Rijkee & Co. N. V., Rotterdam. At the time of her loss a year later, the British steamer was owned by Richards, Turpin & Co. Ltd., Swansea.

On 8 October 1918, whilst in a convey bound for the Tyne, the SS Thalia was torpedoed on the port side by a German U-boat. The starboard lifeboat was launched and the survivors got away just before the steamer of 1,308 tonnes sunk four miles ESE from Filey Brig. The survivors were picked up by escort vessel and landed at Scarborough.

Sadly, four lives were lost in the attack.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has offered assistance for fishermen and mariners in need since 1839. The maritime charity provides help for mariners, retired seafarers and their dependants, through financial help including welfare grants, as well as assistance and support.

Photo credit: wrecksite.eu

The post On this day (8th October) WW1 Shipwreckollections appeared first on Shipwrecked Mariners' Society.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has offered assistance for fishermen and mariners in need since 1839. The maritime charity provides help for mariners, retired seafarers and their dependants, through financial help including welfare grants, as well as assistance and support.

Photo credit: wrecksite.eu

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