TUSCANIA
NEW YORK - HALIFAX - GLASGOW - SOUTHAMPTON - LIVERPOOL - LE HAVRE
Name: Bertha Helseth Email: yoomomm8{at}aol.com Comments: Hi I have just looked up the Tuscania on the computer and believe i have a disc from you, if in fact this is Steve from Seattle area. I sure appreciate your information and time spent on this project. I have my fathers discharge papers and it states that he had a head injury while in the hospital in Ireland. Thanks again Bertha November 17, 2009 02:26:31 (GMT Time) REPLY Bertha, thank you for the comments. My Grandfather too sufffered a head injury and was in a Belfast Hospital for most of the war. Haven't been doing much updating as noted below, I have returned to college. Thanks again, Steve in Seattle
Name: Mario Weidner Email: mm.weidner{at}hotmail.com Comments: Hello Steve! Long time since we last talked! Just went through your updated website. Well done! Would be nice to hear from you again. Please note my new email address! Greetings from Moscow/Russia Mario November 11, 2009 14:56:52 (GMT Time) REPLY MARIO, I don't have much time these days, Last June I have returned to college. Hopefully I will have time in the next couple of years to update the web site. I will update your e-mail address this weekend, thank you for the update.
Name: Christine Huolihan Email: chuolihan{at}hotmail.com Comments: My grandpa, George E. Doman, was a survivor on the Tuscania, (from New London, WI). He was in the Army. He never talked about what happened to my mother, so it is like sureal to us. But in his possessions we found a US Navy blanket and wondered if he might have received it when he was rescued? Would anybody know, or have any pictures of him on the ship? Thank You. October 27, 2009 21:27:59 (GMT Time)
Name: Robert J. Muhich Email: rjmuhich{at}mchsi.com Comments: My uncle, Walter Crellin, was a private in the 158th Aero Squadron, Signal Corps who was on the Tuscania. He was the first WWI soldier KIA from the City of Virginia, Minnesota. The local VFW Post in Virginia is named after him representing WWI. October 7, 2009 20:56:27 (GMT Time)
Name: Sterling Brooks Email: sterlingintexas{at}gmail.com Comments: I was at the Spirit Lodge two weeks before Mount Saint Helens erupted. While in the area (I was working as a freelance photographer) on several occasions I heard Harry Truman calling for his cat, Trudy. It was an erie experience when I heard him call because the area was so incredibly quite, in the absence of people and cars in the area. (Law enforcement had a road block many miles back down the highway.) As Harry called his cat, it nearly sounded like yodeling in the Swiss Alps because I could hear his voice echo. I saw Harry's cat Trudy on the road, not too far from my car as I stopped, however I never did meet Mr. Truman. A photo of me sitting about a mile from the mouth of the volcano is on my Flickr account under my moniker "SouthwestUSA." I have a photo of a geologist working not too far from me, I need to scan and add to my Flickr account. Sterling www HighAboveTexas com September 27, 2009 19:06:45 (GMT Time)
Name: Mollie Email: mrhea22002{at}yahoo.com Comments: My step-granddad, Leland Crump, was a survivor of the Tuscania. He passed away in 1990, at the Vet's Home in Boise, ID at the tender age of 98-99. I am trying to find info or photos of him during that time but not having much luck. I found a couple of 'postcards' that possibly show him but not sure. I'm trying to get some of this info for my ailing dad, John. He has a sister that is also interested in any info. Hope you can help. I found this site which talks about the 4 men from Lakeview/Adel, Oregon: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/CASHASTA/2003-04/1049772051 "January 10, 1918 Fred Benefiel, Ray Hogie, Clarence Neasham and Leland Crump have been assigned to Co. D, 6th Brigade, 20th Engineers (Forest), and are now located at Camp American University, Washington. D.C. They left Vancouver, Wash., December 26th and arrived at Washington January 1, being six days and nights on the road. They say it is very cold in Washington, but are furnished with everyth September 16, 2009 00:09:46 (GMT Time)
Name: Rick Claymore Email: rclaymore{at}earthlink.net Comments: This is a very interesting bit of history, of which I'd known nothing beforehand. Particularly interesting for me was mention of the SS Kanawha. I grew up in Kanawha County, West Virginia, and I would guess that the ship was named after the Kanawha River, which flows through it en route to the Ohio River, at Point Pleasant, WV. BTW, it is pronounced: Ka-NAW-wuh. Not KAN-a-wah, as "furners" are wont to do. Good job. August 23, 2009 02:33:40 (GMT Time)
Name: donald drahota Email: d22222222{at}yahoo.com Comments: my great uncle frank was kia on this ship. August 11, 2009 20:39:04 (GMT Time)
Name: Kathy Thomas Email: kathythomas_{at}hotmail.com Comments: I enjoyed the website. My Uncle was on this ship and told the story how he lowered life boats until his hands blead. He was a very special man and this was an example of his service to his country, family and others. His name was among the passengers. He was from Texas and his name was Willard Finch Boatwright. August 10, 2009 22:08:51 (GMT Time)
Name: Lee Ann Stanton Email: bleestanton{at}verizon.net Comments: Albert C Tillman(20th Engineers, CO D) was on the Tuscania when it was hit and sank. I have a letter dated 3 Mar 1918 which he wrote to his sister detailing the events of 5 Feb 1918 and his escape and rescue by a British Patrol boat. His words eloquantly convey the emotion as well as the perils he was fortunate to have lived through. He was my father's brother and my much loved uncle. He was always very humble and appreciative of the way he survived and was able to live a long and full life. July 31, 2009 19:16:49 (GMT Time)
Name: Karen Wierenga Email: kwierenga13{at}yahoo.com Comments: Years ago you sent me a CD with your Tuscania information on it, as my grandfather's uncle was Captain Peter McLean. Thank you for sharing with me; I'm still researching the McLean family! July 22, 2009 02:26:17 (GMT Time)
Name: Solvei Berkemo Email: solvei.berkemo{at}gmail.com Comments: My mothers uncle Hilding Fagerdahl was on the Tuscania's last voyage and was one of the survivors. He was a corporal in the 32nd division, Company D.Hilding went to America from Sweden and I don't think my mother knew anything about him beeing on this ship. I found this information when searching for "Fagerdahl" on GOOGLE. July 20, 2009 00:39:56 (GMT Time)
Name: Tom Needles Email: tom{at}compassconsulting.us Comments: My great uncle was on the Tuscania's last voyage. May 11, 2009 21:40:07 (GMT Time)
Name: Chuck Allison Email: grumpyguy_4{at}yahoo.com Comments: Walter G Callahan was my maternal grandfather. I was doing casual research to pass some insight on to my children. My Mom doesn't do the Web but I will make sure she sees this site. Very cool. Thank you for this site and the work that you've done. April 26, 2009 01:09:32 (GMT Time)
Name: Ginger Andrews Email: itsmeeeeeeeeeeeeeee{at}yahoo.com Comments: This has truly been something I have enjoyed reading about and cannot tell you how appreciative I am that you have put such hard work and effort into preserving a piece of history that would have been forgotten. Thank you for bringing it to my attention and I hope to create more of an interest in others for what these soldiers endured. May they never be forgotten. April 20, 2009 21:58:02 (GMT Time)
Name: Sondra Nicholson Email: nickandsondra{at}verizon.net Comments: I cannot thank you enough for the vast knowledge you have given all of us about this terrible tragedy. My great uncle, Edward F. Young died on that horrible day. My dad, his nephew, was named for Uncle Edd. This is truly a great work you have done...so much time has gone into it. Again, thank you so much. April 14, 2009 16:54:34 (GMT Time)
Name: Jim Currie Email: sailorjim{at}sapo.pt Comments: As an ex Anchor Line Officer and one whose GGfather was born on Islay I have an obvious interest in this fine ship. In addition, I also have a gilt and silver tea-straining spoon with the ship's crest, recovered from the estate of my wife's aunt who's husband was also born on Islay. February 15, 2009 12:59:34 (GMT Time)
Name: Pat Williams Email: epi.Williams2740{at}damailbox.com Comments: I enjoyed your site. RESPONSE: Thank you February 13, 2009 10:49:38 (GMT Time)
Name: William Shults Email: Comments: I believe my grandfather was one of the survivors - 20th ENGINEERS CO. D February 4, 2009 17:19:56 (GMT Time)
Name: Carrie McPeak Email: bodenst{at}kichline.com Comments: Very interesting site. Thanks for the information! January 1, 2009 18:02:41 (GMT Time)
Name: mike moroney Email: mormi50{at}yahoo.com Comments: My Granddad was 1 of the Survivors onboard his name was John C. Doherty of Minnesota December 9, 2008 00:00:45 (GMT Time)
Name: Katherine Barich Email: barichk{at}pdx.edu Comments: Hi, I'm looking for my great uncle in the lists, and do not see him. His name was William Frederick Knudsen, born in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He wrote me a letter in the late 70's from which I quote: "I am a Tuscania survivor. I belong to the Last Man's Club. I was in World War One. I enlisted in August 1917 and went to Texas and the 32 Division was made up there. I was made corp. and belonged to the 107 Supply Train. Went overseas in Feb. 1918. " Could you help me find him on the lists, or tell me how to have him added? Katherine Knudsen Barich - Veteran's Day 2008 November 12, 2008 06:21:39 (GMT Time) Response I have looked through my passenger list, newspaper survivors accounts, the Tuscania Survivors Association membership list, and I cannot find a listing for William F. Knudsen. I would require some kind of verification, Army service record, discharge record, 1918 newspaper clipping etc. in order to add his name to this list.
Name: Peggy Hutchison Email: peghutch{at}bellsouth.net Comments: I am looking for information on the SS Tuscania and a shipmate by the name of Private Ollie Edwin Olson, 20th Eng. Co. E. My husband's uncle, Havey Hotzel who lived in Thompson Falls, MT has a ship's bell from the SS Tuscania. We do not have any information on how, why or where he obtained this. Any information would be appreciated. June 17, 2008 17:02:16 (GMT Time) Response: At this time I do not have much information about Ole Edvin Olson except that his next of kin lived in Thompson Falls, Montana, and that his residence was in Plains, Montana in 1917. He was born in Sweden Sept. 6, 1891. After that the trail goes cold.
Name: George Cowie Email: georgegcowie{at}aol.com Comments: Very interesting site. My great granduncle, Francis Cowie, was a member of the Minnesota contingent of the famed Rainbow Division, and a link from there led to this site. I am always fascinated with those who remember those who perished in The Great War, "The War to end All Wars," as, we were told by our parents, they were so taught to remember it ( and who in turn suffered through WW2). Will the savagery never end? As a sailor in our navy, we all were ready for death at sea, no bodies to be found, and expected no more. It is encouraging to read of those who were there. I have gotten a new appreciation for the Harry Truman who died on Mt St Helen's slopes - how that meant so little to he who had seen so much in France and at sea in the Atlantic as a survivor of the Tuscania. How wonderful of the little clan on the island of Islay to maintain the memorial and the grave of the sole remaining victim of the harrowing attack, and to read the submarine commander's cold-blooded description of February 4, 2008 05:12:48 (GMT Time)
Name: J.D. Hollingshead Email: p-jhol{at}texasbb.com Comments: I have a Winchester model 1892 (mfg in 1906) cal. 32-20 that belonged to Capt. Leo P. Lebron who was killed on the Tuscania. The rifle previously belonged to Capt. Lebron's nephew. January 23, 2008 17:33:04 (GMT Time)
Name: Steve Horton Email: wolflake740{at}aol.com Comments: Think of you often, Harry. Visited your beloved mountain and I can understand why you didn't want to leave. RIP January 14, 2008 06:29:03 (GMT Time)
Name: john montgomery Email: machairfailte{at}gmail.com Comments: my mother comes from Islay off where the Tuscania and Otranto sunk. She was a young girl then and has some vivid memories December 27, 2007 07:04:23 (GMT Time)
Name: Judith Bartholomew Email: Bartholo_j{at}sbcglobal.net Comments: My gosh, this is absolutely beautiful, and a fitting tribute to the men on the Tuscania. Thank you for all the time that you have put in, to bringing this about. November 5, 2007 20:59:15 (GMT Time)
Name: Mavis Gulliver Email: mavisgulliver{at}googlemail.com Comments: I live close to Kilnaughton Cemetery on Islay where there are still graves of 5 men in addition to that of Roy Muncaster (mentioned in our aticle) who lost their lives on the Tuscania. These are C. Mullen Fireman, H.Stewart, Fireman, G.Smpson, Steward, J.Logan, Trimmer and Unknown Negro. Perhaps these were not American servicemen although they are in the military cemetery and all the graves, except that of the negro bear an insignia of an anchor in a circle surmounted by a crown. Most poignant to me is the fact that all the graves bear a cross - except that of the negro. Was this just an omission or did the color of his skin have something to do with it? Just a few thoughts which came into mind as I passed the graves this morning and was prompted to find out a bit more of the history. October 16, 2007 11:16:15 (GMT Time)
Response: Known Unto God his identity and his origins remain a mystery. No, I don't believe that the good people of Islay, the Anchor Line nor the U.S. Army discriminated against this man because he was black. The U.S. Army accounted for all their men whom were on the Tuscania. The U.S. Army did have some other ethnic casualties that were initially buried on Islay such an American Pima Indian, a Mexican, and a South Pacific Islander whom were buried in either Brookwood or sent home to American for burial. The Islanders of Islay were heavily involved in the recovery, the casket and tombstone making, and burial of the Tuscania victims on islay. And from what I have learned they were also involved exhuming the bodies in the 1920's and taking the bodies to a barge offshore.
Museum of Islay's curator (31 October) states: "Police Sergeant Malcolm McNeil's records were of the bodies that washed ashore from the 'Otranto' which sunk off Islay in the autumn of 1918, not the 'Tuscania'." I had hoped that Sgt. McNeil could offer some general description regarding this unknown from the Tuscania. The CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) states the unknown in Kilnaughton is a British Negro according to their archived records, no further data was ever recorded. The U.S. Army records describe this man as a member of the British Crew - a half caste-negro. Recently I discovered the 1918 manifest of Merchant Marines whom served on the last voyage of the Tuscania, and it was very descriptive, I transcribed it to this web site. At this time this 'Unknown Negro' buried in Kilnaughton Military cemetery might possibly be Pedro Miares whom was a Fireman aboard the Tuscania. The manifest states that he is from Paraguay, South America age 45, 5'4" height, 150 lbs. The CWGC records reflect that he lived at 6 Frederick St., Liverpool, England, and had a wife named Elizabeth Gosling-Miares. Without any further descriptive burial records of this unknown, its kind of hard to make a postitive match, if we knew this mans approximent age and height, it might reveal stronger evidence as to this mans identity.
October. 31, 2007 12:06 PM (PDT Time)
Name: Mario Weidner Email: mm.weidner{at}hotmail.com Comments: Today is the 10.th Anniversary, when my good friend Tommy Cecil died after a dive to the Tuscania. I will never forget his enthusiasm when I showed Tommy the new material from the German Submarine Archives back in 1995, which finally gave the last information to find the exact wreck position and to dive and identify the wreck. It is a sad day today for those who knewTommy as a good friend. You are missing Tommy but your spirit and memories will never die in my heart! R.I.P. September 21, 2007 15:35:29 (GMT Time)
Name: Cathy Sheldrick Email: pta4u{at}hotmail.com Comments: I came across some pictures that belonged to my Grandfather, George Joseph Patrice, who was part of the 100th Aero Squadron in WW1. Three of the pictures of men in his squadron had notes on them that said "Drowned on transport Tuscania". I wanted to research this vessel and came upon this sight. I found it very informative and sad. I wasn't aware of this tragedy. Thank you for bringing this information to the public. June 21, 2007 21:27:58 (GMT Time)