Thomas Jeffreys Meechan – Mercantile Marine - S.S. Heron

Second Engineer Thomas Jeffreys Meechan – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Heron

Early Life and Family Background

Birth and Parentage

Thomas Jeffreys Meechan was born in 1889 in Morriston, the son of Danzlow (Daniel/Darlow) Meechan and Margaret Jeffreys, who married in 1885 at Pontardawe.

1891 Census

By the 1891 Census, the Meechan family was living at 375 Old Bridge, Llangefelach. Danzlow Meechan, aged 27 and born in Neath, was employed as a Fitter, while his wife Margaret, aged 28 and from Ystalyfera, managed the household. Their children were Margaret, 4; Thomas, 1; and David J., 2 months—all born in Morriston.

1901 Census

By 1901, the family had moved to 118 Clydach Road, Swansea. Darlow (Danzlow), aged 35, worked as a Fitter, and Margaret, aged 36, cared for their expanding family of six children: Margaret, 14; Tom J., 12; David J., 10; Jeffrey D., 5; Sarah L., 3; and William E., 2.

1911 Census

By 1911, the family had moved again to 67 Clydach Road, Swansea. Daniel (Danzlow), now 45, was employed as a Foreman Fitter, while Margaret, 47, remained head of the household. Seven children were present: Margaret, 24; Thomas, 22 and a Fitter; David J., 20, a School Teacher; Jeffrey D., 15, an Engine Boy; Sarah S., 13; William H., 12; and Eliza D., 10.

S.S. Heron

Thomas served as Second Engineer aboard the S.S. Heron, a British merchant steamship operating during the First World War. Working in the engine room, he was responsible for maintaining the ship’s boilers, machinery, and propulsion—work requiring considerable technical skill, physical endurance, and long hours in hot and confined conditions. Engineering ratings like Thomas played an essential role in keeping steamers operational during wartime, often at great personal risk.

The S.S. Heron transported vital cargoes through increasingly dangerous waters as German U-boats expanded their campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare. By 1917, the North Sea, English Channel, and Western Approaches were heavily patrolled, and merchant ships—usually unarmed or only lightly armed—faced constant threats from mines and torpedoes.

On 30^th September 1917, the Heron was lost during wartime operations, resulting in the death of Second Engineer Thomas Jeffreys Meechan. As with many merchant ships lost during the war, detailed records of the sinking did not survive. His body was not recovered.

U-90

U-90 was a long-range German Type U 87 ocean-going submarine commissioned in 1917, during the height of Germany’s intensified submarine campaign. Designed for extended patrols, she carried both torpedoes and deck gun armament, enabling her to attack Allied merchant vessels far into the Atlantic and Western Approaches.

Throughout her wartime service, U-90 operated in areas heavily used by British and Allied shipping. Submarines of her type were capable of remaining at sea for weeks at a time, patrolling deep-water routes and intercepting cargo ships essential to Britain’s survival. Her operational period coincided with the escalating losses of 1917, when the Mercantile Marine faced unprecedented danger.

While the exact submarine responsible for the loss of the S.S. Heron is not confirmed in surviving records, vessels like U-90 posed a continuous threat to merchant steamers operating in the same waters. Her presence illustrates the hazardous environment in which Thomas Meechan and his shipmates sailed.

Legacy

The life and service of Thomas Meechan exemplify the dedication and courage of the Mercantile Marine, whose members endured long hours, harsh working conditions, and ever-present danger to keep Britain supplied during wartime. As Second Engineer, Thomas played a crucial and highly skilled role in the functioning of the ship, continuing the engineering tradition of his family. His death at the age of twenty-eight robbed Swansea of a young man who had advanced in his trade and contributed to the industrial and maritime community of the town.

Commemoration

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

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

With no known grave but the sea, Thomas Jeffreys Meechan is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London. His name is listed among thousands of merchant sailors who died during the First World War, ensuring that his sacrifice—and that of his shipmates—will not be forgotten.