Call made to relatives of North East men of the ship Samtampa

Ross Martin, a former helm of the Atlantic lifeboat and current launch authority at RNLI Porthcawl lifeboat station, will visit towns and villages across the North East from March 19 to 21 as part of research into the tragedy.

The SS Samtampa, an American liberty ship travelling from Middlesbrough to Newport, ran aground at Sker Point, Wales, during hurricane-force gales on April 23, 1947.

Ross Martin, former RNLI lifeboat helm and Launch Authority at Porthcawl, will visit the North East in mid-March. (Image: RNLI/Stephen Jones)

All 39 crew members, many from the North East, perished along with eight crew from the RNLI Mumbles lifeboat who attempted a rescue.

Mr Martin said: “I’ve been interested in the history of the Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat station and shipwrecks in my local area for over thirty years.

“This is bolstered by a family connection to the Samtampa disaster.

“My great uncle Stan Rowe was with the Coastguard when the incident occurred in 1947.

“He tried to fire a line out to the Samtampa while she was in distress, but the awful conditions were against all efforts.

“It was a terrible blow to the local community.

“We couldn’t quite comprehend the sheer loss of life after the second World War had not long ended.”

Relatives of those lost in the Samtampa shipping disaster can speak with Ross Martin at Whitby and other lifeboat stations in North Yorkshire. (Image: RNLI/Nicholas Leach)

Mr Martin also serves as coordinator for the Remember 47 group, which aims to honour those lost in the disaster.

He is now appealing to relatives of the Samtampa crew, particularly those from areas such as Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Thornaby, Redcar, Staithes, Skelton-in-Cleveland, and Whitby, to come forward and share their memories.

Twelve crew members from the North East were buried in a Porthcawl cemetery following the tragedy.

Mr Martin said: “On behalf of the Remember 47 group, I’ll be visiting several venues throughout the North East.

“Next year witnesses the 80thanniversary of the Samtampa disaster and this could be the last chance in living memory for everyone to gather and remember those lost at sea during this horrendous incident.

“I am incredibly keen to connect with relatives of the Samtampa crew lost at sea in 1947.

“I encourage anyone who can recall any of these men to meet me at one of the venues I’ll be visiting.

“I would love to hear your story, look at photographs and hear how we can remember your loved one.”

The SS Samtampa broke into three sections after running aground, and the RNLI lifeboat was found capsized on rocks 450 yards from the wreck.

The Remember 47 group strive to preserve the memory of those lost in the Samtampa incident.

Mr Martin’s visit is part of ongoing efforts to gather first-hand accounts and preserve family stories ahead of the 80th anniversary in 2027.

Family members and anyone with information or memories of the Samtampa crew are encouraged to reach out and take part in the commemoration.