S.S. Ocean Crusader - James Alexander Dadds, Alfred James Daley and Sidney George Tovey
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| S.S. Ocean Crusader |
Entering service, as part of Convey HX-216 on the toute from
Portland, Maine – Panama – New York to Avonmouth, carrying a cargo of 8891 tons
of general cargo.
S.S. Ocean Crusader was a straggler, at 16.57 hours
on 26th of November 1942 the unescorted S.S. Ocean Crusader
(Master Ellis Wynne Parry) on her maiden voyage was hit on the port side fore
and amidships by two of three G7e torpedoes fired by U-262 about 330 miles
northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The ship was a straggler from station
#114 in convoy HX-216 owing to stress of heavy weather in 50°N/47°W during
the night of 25th of November and was apparently heading for St.
John’s when spotted and attacked by the U-boat in dense fog. The Germans
observed how the ship stopped after being hit, fired two flares and slowly
settled by the bow. Heavy seas with a high swell prevented the use of the deck
gun, so they tried to sink the ship by firing their last torpedo, but it
missed. U-262 left the area after half an hour when S.S. Ocean Crusader
was seen to be down by the head with the rudder and screw out of the water. Her
radio operator had managed to send a distress signal, but no survivors were
ever found. The master, 44 crew members and five gunners were lost.
Three members of the crew came from Swansea – James Alexander
Dadds, Alfred James Daley and Sidney George Tovey.
James Alxander Dadds
Third Engineer Officer James Alexander Dadds was the son of
William Dadds and Florence E. Maxwell.
The Dadds family were recorded on the 1921 Census at 45
Hewson Street.
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| 1921 Census |
William Dadds, 38, who was a Cabinet Maker working as a
House Joiner. Florence who was also 38
years old was undertook the household duties
Their children were Violet Matilda, 12; Graham Bassett, 10;
James Alexander, 5, all of whom attended school. The youngest child 1 year old Wilfred Ernest.
Also present at the house on the night of census was 62-year-old
William Maxell, who was Labourer Lampligher, who was out of work.
In 1938 James’ name was added to the Mechanical Engineer
Records. His address as recorded at 13
Llewellyn Circle, Mayhill.
This is the address is recorded on the Merchant Seaman Death
records.
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| Merchant Seaman Death |
Alfred Jams Daley
Greaser Alfred James Daley was the son of James Daley and
Mary S. Williams who were married in 1911.
The 1921 Census records the Daley family residing at 7 Dangham
Tenements, Strand.
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| 1921 Census |
John, 34, was Coal Trimmer employed as Swansea Shippers but
was out of work. Mary, 31 years undertook
the household duties. Their children were.
Maisey, 8; David John, 6; Violet, 5, who all attended
school. The younger children were
Alfred, 3, and 11-month-old Jack.
In 1941, Alfred married Elizabeth A. Sterio.
The Merchant Seaman Death records, records Alfred’s address
as 54 Kilvey Terrace.
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| Merchant Seaman Death |
Sidney George Tovey
Fireman Sidney George Tovey was the son of William Henry
Tovey and Norah Kane, who were married in 1914.
At the time of the 1921 Census, the family were living at 10
Vaughans Tenements, Strand.
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| 1921 Census |
William, 26, who was a Dock Labourer employed by the Prince
of Wales Dry Dock, however, was out of work.
Norah, 25, who under the household duties. Their children were
William Henry, 6; Sidney George, 5; and 6-month-old Phyllis.
October 1942, Sidney and Alfred crew members of M.V. G.S. Walden arriving at Ellis Island recorded in Passenger and Crew Lists
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| M.V. G.S. Walden Passenger and Crew Lists Ellis Island |
The Merchant Seaman Death records, records that Sidney’s home address was 33 Balaclava Street.
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| Merchant Seaman Death |
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| South Wales Daily Post |
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| S.S. Ocean Crusader Tower Hill Memorial credit - Benjidog Histroical Research Resources. The Merchant Navy Memorial |
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