Samuel Evans – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Borga

Fireman Samuel Evans – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Borga

Birth and Family Background

Samuel Evans was born in 1890 at Morriston, Swansea, the son of Thomas Evans and Louisa Evans.

1891 Census

The 1891 Census records the Evans family living at 7 Wern Pit Road, Landore. Thomas Evans, aged 28 and born in Merthyr Tydfil, was employed as a mariner, while his wife Louisa, aged 23 and born in Cardiganshire, managed the household. Their only child at this time was Samuel, aged one.

1901 Census

By the 1901 Census, the family had moved to 24 Plough Road, Llangyfelach, Swansea. Thomas, now aged 38, was working as a coalminer (carter, below), and Louisa was aged 33. Their children were Samuel, aged 12, and Louisa, aged 7.

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family were residing at 23 Plough Road, Llangyfelach, Swansea. Louisa, now 43, was recorded as widowed. Living with her were her children Samuel, aged 21, employed as a blacksmith striker, and Louisa, aged 17, who was undertaking household duties. Also present in the household were lodgers Edward Murphy (38) and his son Martin (9), along with David Williams (53) and James Dorey (71).

Marriage

Samuel Evans and Isabella Stephens
marriage certificate
Holy trinity Church, Swansea

In 1916, Samuel married Isabella Stephens at Holy Trinity Church.

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

During the First World War, Samuel served with the Mercantile Marine, holding the rank of Fireman aboard the S.S. Borga.

S.S. Borga

The S.S. Borga was a defensively armed British merchant steamship of 1,046 gross registered tons, built in 1907.

On 1^st March 1918, Borga was on a voyage from Swansea to Dieppe, carrying a cargo of coal, when she was torpedoed without warning by the German submarine U-55. The sinking occurred approximately nine miles south-east by south of Beer Head. Five members of the crew were lost.

Samuel Evans
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Samuel Evans 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.