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The sinking of SS Transylvania 1917

By On June 2, 2013 · 31 Comments

The SS Transylvania was a passenger liner of the Cunard subsidiary Anchor Line, and a sister ship to SS Tuscania. She was torpedoed and sunk on May 4, 1917 by the German U-boat U-63 while carrying Allied troops to Egypt. She sank with a loss of 412 lives.

transylvania
Completed just before the outbreak of World War I, the Transylvania was taken over for service as a troopship upon completion. She was designed to accommodate 1,379 passengers but the Admiralty fixed her capacity at 200 officers and 2,860 men, besides crew, when she was commissioned in May 1915.

On May 3 1917, the Transylvania sailed from Marseille to Alexandria with a full complement of troops, escorted by the Japanese destroyers Matsu and Sakaki.

At 10 am on 4th May 1917 the Transylvania was struck in the port engine room by a torpedo fired by the German U-boat U-63 under the command of Otto Schultze. At the time the ship was about 2.5 miles (2.2 nmi; 4.0 km) south of Cape Vado near Savona, in the Gulf of Genoa. The Matsu came alongside the Transylvania and began to take on board troops while the Sakaki circled to force the submarine to remain submerged.

Twenty minutes later a second torpedo was seen coming straight for the Matsu, which saved herself by going astern at full speed. The torpedo hit the Transylvania instead, which sank immediately. Ten crew members, 29 army officers and 373 soldiers lost their lives.

Many bodies of victims were recovered at Savona (just north of Cape Vado), and buried two days later, in a special plot in the town cemetery. [Source: Wikipedia]

Four of the men buried in the Savona Town Cemetery were from the 2nd Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. These were;

  • 240424 Private Arthur Claydon (Son of Arthur and Mary Claydon, of 77, Arkwright Street, Bolton.)
  • 36231 Private James T Harvey (Husband of M. L. Harvey, of 58A, Beacon Street, Lichfield, Staffs. Born at Lichfield.)
  • 36267 Private Harry Ratcliffe (Son of William Ratcliffe, of 12, Ramsden Street, Carnforth, Lancs., and the late Agnes Ratcliffe.)
  • 201145 (prev. 3454) Private Thomas Rigby (Husband of Mrs. Rigby of 1, Mansfield Street, Preston.). Thomas is recorded as being 4th (Reserve) Battalion, presumably attached to the 2nd Battalion.

A further nine 2nd Bn men are remembered on the Savona Memorial, presumably their bodies having never been recovered.

  • 36239 Private Robert T Bateman
  • 36255 Private Thomas Harries
  • 27234 Private Herbert Charles Selsby Lees
  • 36222 Private Charles Henry Lethbridge
  • 36217 Private Daniel Luckman
  • 36263 Private Frederick Oldham
  • 36269 Private Christopher Statton Rice
  • 36243 Private Abram Sadjoff
  • 36274 Private Frederick Townson

There are some fantastic accounts of the calmness of the soldiers onboard the ship as she sank; the men lowering the lifeboats whilst singing, the Captain (Lieut S Brenell R.N.R) remaining at his post directing the rescue effort and ensuring he was the last man off the stricken ship – later dying from exposure.

 

Paul McCormick
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31 Responses to The sinking of SS Transylvania 1917

  1. gerald jarvis says:
    October 19, 2013 at 08:38

    Researching and updating our ‘fallen’ list for the local British Legion. I came across Thomas Harries L.N.L.R.
    “Died at sea” I found him on your site, caualty of S.s.Transylvania sinking. Many thanksfor your site.

    Reply
    • admin says:
      October 22, 2013 at 13:44

      Hi Gerald,

      I’m glad to have helped. If you have any other Loyal North Lancs men you need information about please let me know.

      Regards,
      Paul

      Reply
  2. annie hamilton-pike says:
    April 23, 2014 at 10:07

    Hi Paul
    I believe my Aunt, Winifred Mary Brazil,was on board the Transylvania,and survived. She was a VAD Nurse on her way to Salonka, aged 22 years. She was Mentioned in Despatches. “Her name has been brought to the attention of the Secretary of State for War,for valuable service rendered on the occasion of the sinking or damage by enemy action of Hospital Ships,Transports and Store Ships.” I assume this was while on-board Transylvania
    Do you know if there is a list of who was on-board to confirm that this is correct?
    Incidentally,she did eventually get to Salonika and survived.
    Look forward to hearing from you.
    Annie

    Reply
  3. Gordon Lowrey says:
    September 2, 2014 at 11:22

    My Aunt, Annie Lowrey, an army nurse, also survived and went on to be Matron of Queen May’s Hospital London

    Reply
  4. Colin W. Garnett says:
    January 29, 2015 at 16:22

    Paul,
    I am currently researching the role of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Mediterranean 1917-1919, and was interested in your website, as two Japanese escort destroyers, Matsu and Sakaki, were involved in the rescue of nurses and troops from the stricken vessel. A subsequent report of the incident in the Daily Malta Chronicle [Saturday, 23/6/1917] states that the report submitted by the Japanese Admiral Sato spoke in the most “eulological” terms of the perfect order maintained and the courage displayed by the troops, the nurses, and others on board the transport. Later the two destroyer commanders, in speaking of the general bravery and fortitude of those awaiting rescue, were particularly impressed by the coolness of the nurses.

    Sadly, the destroyer Sakaki was herself torpedoed some four weeks later off the coast of Crete by an Austro-Hungarian u-boat, with the loss of some 68 officers and men, including the Captain. The stricken destroyer was towed away to safety and subsequently repaired and returned to service.

    On August 4th. 1917 the Daily Malta Chronicle published an extensive report of the ceremony at which the C in C. Malta presented medals from H.M.the King to some 27 officers and men of the Imperial Japanese Navy, several of whom, including the Captain of the Sakaki, Lt. Comm. Taichi Uehara, and several others had been killed in action since the Transylvania incident.

    If you have any accounts by survivors about the Japanese rescuers, I should be pleased to see them.
    I should also like to be able to refer to your website
    in a presentation I shall be making in April 2015.

    Sincerely,

    Colin W Garnett

    Reply
  5. Mrs Mair Jones (nee Parry) says:
    April 26, 2015 at 13:01

    Would love to find out more info on Transylvania. My father, William Parry from the 7th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusilleers sailed on her and was on board when she was torpedoed. He survived,taken to Savona and eventually sailed on another ship (name not known) to Alexandria. He was wounded before Allenby’s march on Jerusalem and repatriated in November 1917. Where can I find more info about this event –? Thanks.

    Reply
  6. Chris Hill says:
    November 5, 2015 at 10:14

    Paul, I am researching men of Pendeen and St Just parishes in West Cornwall who served in WW1 for a drama production and exhibition to be held locally next summer.
    Pte John Henry Davey of the D.C.L.I., from Pendeen, was lost on the Transylvania. Please could I have your permission to use a copy of this page for our exhibition.
    Thanks, Chris

    Reply
  7. Chris Hill says:
    November 7, 2015 at 01:28

    Many thanks

    Reply
  8. Ann Deem says:
    March 19, 2016 at 19:52

    My Great Uncle, Charles Loveland, was a Private in the RAMC and was one of those lost on the Transylvania in the Gulf of Geneoa in May 1917 & whose body was never found. His name is in the Savona Memorial & on the Frensham (Surrey) war memorial.

    Does anyone know whether it is proposed to commemorate the centenary of the sinking in May 1917 or how one would find out?

    Reply
    • Howard Campbell says:
      June 12, 2016 at 15:20

      Hi, my wife’s Great Grandfather was on the Transylvania. We intend to visit his grave in Savona on May 4th 2017. We have also been trying to find out if there are any commemoration plans but nothing so far. My email address is kippax4@aol.com could you please let me know if you have any luck? Many thanks in advance HC.

      Reply
      • Sara Dovaston says:
        January 2, 2017 at 19:20

        My great uncle George errington was ramc and drowned in the transylvania tragedy. But weve been told that some bodies washed up including georges was burried in france at a maritime cemetery there.can anyone confirm this for me

        Reply
        • Paul McCormick says:
          January 2, 2017 at 20:50

          Hi Sara, that is correct. Private George Errington (service number 50977) R.A.M.C. was buried at the CAP-D’AIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY, ALPES-MARITIMES in South East France, near Monaco. He is the only CWGC casualty in that cemetery. He was born in TRINDON GRANGE, DURHAM.

          Reply
    • Bernardine Mc Manus says:
      May 7, 2017 at 22:16

      Hi Ann I’m sorry that I have only seen this. I was at the commemoration on Thursday were you there?? Bernardine Mc Manus

      Reply
  9. Lorenzo says:
    January 23, 2017 at 21:53

    Dear Sir/Madam – and to Whom It May Concern –
    just to inform you that the centennial commemorative event of Transylvania Odissey is coming soon in the Western Riviera of the Ligurian Sea as joint organization of the cities of Noli, Spotorno, Bergeggi and Savona.
    Visit
    http://www.affondamentodeltransylvania.it/
    https://it-it.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1185945528091453&id=1185942381425101&substory_index=0

    Reply
  10. Wendy says:
    March 7, 2017 at 23:41

    Hi Paul, my great grandfather was sadly killed on the ss transylvania may 4th 1917, his name private William goddard,service number 35636 Duke of Cornwall light infantry 1st/4th bn so sad his daughter (my grandmother) was born a month later and never knew her father. He’s remembered at savona memorial

    Reply
  11. RachaelExton says:
    March 28, 2017 at 19:56

    My grandmother’s lifelong friend Florence Yeatman (1891 – 1987), a Volunteer Aid Detachment Nurse, survived not only the sinking of the Transylvania, but subsequently the sinking of HMT Aragon off Alexandria on 30th December 1917 just over 6 months later.
    This she mentions in a casual manner on some very old photographs from the sinking of the Aragon “of course I was also on the Transylvania when it was sunk”

    Reply
    • Paul McCormick says:
      March 28, 2017 at 21:16

      Thanks for your message Rachel, that’s fascinating – I don’t know whether to say she was lucky or not! Regards, Paul

      Reply
      • Bernardine Mc Manus says:
        May 7, 2017 at 22:33

        Hi Paul I was at the commemoration on Thursday and other events held by the local community. It was a wonderful occasion. I am undertaking to have a book about the Transylvania written by a local historian in italy translated into English and was wondering if you know how I could make this known to relatives so that I can gauge how many copies to publish.
        Thank you
        Bernardine Mc Manus

        Reply
  12. Maggie Fraser Kirsh says:
    May 6, 2017 at 02:31

    I was so heartened and moved to see the press coverage of the commemorations held this week. My great-grandfather, Andrew Chisholm, was lost at sea that day. He left behind a wife and three children. One of those children, my grandfather, is still alive and will celebrate his 101st birthday this year. Do anyone know of English-Language material that has been published about the Transylvania?

    Reply
    • Bernardine says:
      June 16, 2017 at 20:53

      Hi Maggie I am in th process of getting a book translated. If you want I will contacted you when it happens. Can I ask what press coverage was there because I wasn’t aware of any Bernardine

      Reply
      • Maggie Fraser Kirsh says:
        November 8, 2019 at 22:16

        Dear Bernardine,
        I somehow missed your reply, and I’m just seeing it now! Have there been any updates on a translation of the book?
        Very best,
        Maggie

        Reply
  13. Irene munro says:
    May 7, 2017 at 18:41

    My dad was pvt Edward Scott and he was on the Transylvania and survived. He was taken in by some Italians and given food and clothes and then reassigned to join up with the 4th Royal Scots in Egypt

    Reply
    • Bernardine says:
      June 16, 2017 at 20:55

      Hi Irene I am geting a book translated with survivors like your father in mind so that his relatives know what kindness he was shown. I’m pleased that this is known as the Italian community are still affected by this event on their shores

      Reply
      • Sarah says:
        February 23, 2018 at 19:25

        Hi Bernadine, Ive just come across this post and wondering if you have the translation. I am trying to piece together where my Great Grandfather was and think this was the ship he was on that sank. His name was pvt John Long would be great to knowif this is where he was

        Reply
      • Sue Stevens says:
        July 3, 2019 at 14:34

        Hello- I am trying to find out if my husbands grandfather was on the ship. The story is that he was on the ship and then presumed dead and later turned up alive.
        His name was Robert Thomson Smith (or Stevens. (He changed his name later in life)
        We wondered if he was taken in by someone in Italy?

        Reply
  14. Bob Bennett says:
    June 12, 2017 at 14:33

    Hi Paul
    Just been for a walk round Ramatuelle near St Tropez. Went to visit the local cemetery to find there are two war graves in there from the sinking of the Transylvania.
    Private L B Marsland RAMC and Private H Walker RASC
    Good to see that they are well maintained and included a wreath each from the British Legion.As I donate monthly to the B L it was good to see the use to a worthy cause

    Reply
  15. J.M.Gardiner says:
    October 12, 2019 at 21:20

    Just visited the cemetery in Savona, saw our great uncle Sidney Gardiners’ name on the lost at sea monument.His body was never found. We also visited the monument near to where the ship was torpedoed.He served with the Welsh regiment. We don’t have his number or date of birth, only approx age.so cannot seem to gather any more information. He went down with the Transylvania on 4th May 1917. The cemetery is well kept.

    Reply
    • STUART TAMBLIN says:
      January 5, 2020 at 11:05

      The CWGC has his number. With approx age, you should get a birth certificate from GRO. More military docs likely on ‘Ancestry’, such as Soldiers Died, Soldiers’ Effects and possibly service record or pension, not to mention medals.

      Reply

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