Albert John Bowden – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Semantha

Second Mate Albert John Bowden – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Semantha

Birth and Family Background

Albert John Bowden was born in 1861 at Ilfracombe, Devon, the son of William Bowden and Mary Ley.

1861 Census

At the time of the 1861 Census, the family was recorded at West Down Village, Ilfracombe. The head of the household was John Ley, aged 59, an agricultural labourer, with his wife Mary, aged 60. Also present was their daughter Mary Bowden, aged 27, together with her infant son, recorded as Infant Bowden.

1871 Census

By the 1871 Census, the Bowden family had moved to Fox Street, Pennington, Swarthmore, Lancashire. William Bowden, aged 35, was employed as an iron ore miner, and his wife Mary (recorded as Marini) was aged 32. Their children were Alfred (11), Albert (9), and Angelina (6).

Maritime Career

First Mate Certificate, 1888

Master Certificate, 1892

Albert later pursued a maritime career. In 1888, he was awarded a Master and Mate’s Certificate for First Mate, issued at Swansea. This was followed in 1892 by the award of a Master’s Certificate, confirming his professional advancement within the Merchant Service.

1901 Census

In 1897, Albert married Elizabeth Higgins at St Mary’s Church, Swansea. The couple appear in the 1901 Census, residing at 23 Western Street, Swansea. Albert, recorded as A. J. Bowden, aged 39, was employed as a Master Mariner, while Elizabeth was aged 28.

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

During the First World War, Albert served with the Mercantile Marine, holding the rank of Second Mate aboard the S.S. Semantha.

The S.S. Semantha was built by S. P. Austin & Son Ltd., Sunderland, in 1899, and at the time of her loss was owned by Charles A. Batho. She was a British steamship of 2,847 tons.

On 14^th October 1917, Semantha was on a voyage from Liverpool when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC-74. The sinking occurred approximately 10 miles north-west by north of Cape St. John, Crete. Thirty-two members of the crew were lost.

Albert John Bowden
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical
Research Rescources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Albert John Bowden
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical
Research Rescources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Albert John Bowden was among those who lost their lives. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who died during the First World War and have no known place of burial.