Christopher McCann – Mercantile Marine -S.S. Marie Leonhardt

Boatswain Christopher McCann – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Marie Leonhardt

Early Life and Family Background

Birth and Parentage

Christopher McCann, an Irish seaman, was born in 1892 in Rush, County Dublin. The records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission list only his father, Joseph, and little else is known about his early years in Ireland.

Arrival in Swansea and Marriage

It is unclear when Christopher first came to Swansea, how long he settled there, or the circumstances of his marriage to Catherine Hughes of 52 Orchard Street. Surviving records do not reveal when he arrived or how he became part of the local maritime community.

S.S. Marie Leonhardt

The S.S. Marie Leonhardt was a German-built cargo steamer that came into British hands during the First World War, as many enemy vessels were seized or requisitioned in ports across the world at the outbreak of hostilities. Christopher McCann served aboard the vessel as a Boatswain, a senior deck rating responsible for supervising crew members and overseeing maintenance and deck operations. His role placed him among the most experienced hands on board and required both leadership and practical seamanship.

Registers and Indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths of Passengers and Seamen at Sea

According to the Registers and Indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths of Passengers and Seamen at Sea, Christopher was lost when the Marie Leonhardt struck a mine. By early 1917, large areas of the North Sea and the approaches to the English Channel had become hazardous due to extensive minefields laid by German submarines and fast minelaying craft. Maritime records state that the vessel struck a mine and sank on 14 February 1917 in the North Sea, although the precise coordinates were not recorded or have not survived.

Mine strikes were often catastrophic, giving the crew very little time to react, particularly those on deck supervising operations such as the Boatswain. Several members of the crew, including Christopher McCann, were lost in the sinking. With no remains recovered, the men have no known grave but the sea.

Legacy

Christopher McCann’s story reflects the quiet courage and resilience of the Mercantile Marine during the First World War. As a Boatswain, he carried significant responsibility aboard ship, guiding less experienced crewmen and ensuring the vessel’s safety and operation in increasingly dangerous waters. His loss aboard the Marie Leonhardt illustrates the grave risks faced by merchant seafarers who continued to serve despite the constant threat of mines and submarine attack. Though little is known about his personal life in Swansea, Christopher’s service links the maritime communities of Ireland and Wales, reminding us of the international nature of the merchant fleet and the shared sacrifice of those who kept Britain supplied in wartime. His legacy endures as part of the collective memory of those who risked—and gave—their lives far from home, with no known grave but the sea.

Commemoration

S.S. Marie Leonhardt
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial 

Like many merchant sailors who perished at sea during the First World War, Christopher McCann is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London. The memorial honours members of the Mercantile Marine who died in service with no known resting place, ensuring that their names and sacrifice endure.