Thomas Morgan Hill – Merchant Navy, M.V. Fishpool

 Master Thomas Morgan Hill – Merchant Navy, M.V. Fishpool

Early Life and Maritime Beginnings

Second Mate’s Certificate

Thomas Morgan Hill was born in 1879 in Swansea, and may well have been among the oldest Swansea‑born Merchant Navy mariners to lose their lives during the Second World War. His long seafaring career began early, and by 1901 he had already achieved professional recognition, being awarded his Second Mate’s Certificate at West Hartlepool. This qualification marked his entry into the ranks of certificated officers and set him on the path to command.

Service in the Merchant Navy

Over the decades that followed, Thomas Morgan Hill continued to serve at sea, rising through the Merchant Navy hierarchy until he attained the rank of Master. By the Second World War, he was in command of the M.V. Fishpool, a vessel that would endure a series of violent wartime encounters before her eventual destruction.

The M.V. Fishpool: A Ship Under Repeated Attack

First Attack – 14^th November 1940

On 14^th November 1940, the Fishpool was sailing in ballast from the Tyne to Vancouver when she came under attack south‑west of Rockall. The ship was struck by seven incendiary bombs, which caused severe damage and killed several crew members.

The crew abandoned ship, but one of the lifeboats — carrying 15 men — was never seen again. Despite the devastation, the Fishpool did not sink. She was eventually taken in tow and later repaired, returning to service.

Second Attack – 9^th May 1941

On 9^th May 1941, while the Fishpool was loading stores at Barrow‑in‑Furness, she was struck by a parachute mine that detonated alongside the vessel. The explosion caused further serious damage and killed two crew members. Once again, the ship survived and was repaired.

Final Loss – 26^th July 1943

The Fishpool met her end on 26^th July 1943, while discharging ammunition and aviation spirit at Syracuse, having arrived from Alexandria. During an air raid on the port, the vessel was hit and finally sunk. The attack was catastrophic: 23 crew members and 5 DEMS gunners were killed, though 18 survived.

Death and Commemoration

Merchant Seamen Deaths

Thomas Morgan Hill
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Histroical Research Resources.
The Merchant Navy Memorial

According to the Merchant Seamen Deaths records, Master Thomas Morgan Hill lost his life on 14^th November 1940, during the first attack on the M.V. Fishpool. Like so many Merchant Navy men who died at sea with no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, which honours the thousands of merchant seafarers who gave their lives during both world wars