Search for content in message boards

Sinking of City of Paris, Between 1887 - 1918

Sinking of City of Paris, Between 1887 - 1918

Posted: 13 Apr 2015 11:37AM GMT
Classification: Query
I have a document for December 1918 citing the death of my 2x Great Gran parents on the ship City of Paris. My Grandfather was born either 1887 or 1899 so the accident would have happened in that time period. Most of the information I find regarding SS city of paris accidents are before or after this time. Any information would be appreciate!

Michael

Re: Sinking of City of Paris, Between 1887 - 1918

Posted: 13 Apr 2015 2:05PM GMT
Classification: Query
In addition to the famous Inman Line's City of Paris which won the "Blue Riband" as the fastest liner across the Atlantic, there was another ship of that name owned by the Ellerman City Line Ltd of Glasgow.

On April 4th, 1917, the British passenger steamer SS City Of Paris, on a voyage from Karachi to Marseille & Liverpool with passengers and general cargo, was sunk by the German submarine UC-35 (Ernst von Voigt), 46 miles SxE of Cap d'Antibes.

Those on the vessel got into the boats the submarine commander shouted for the captain, but he could not be found. The submarine fired a second torpedo and finished her off. All in all 122 people were killed. French warships picked up three lifeboats containing 29 dead Lascar crew members. Another 12 dead were found in a nother boat and the rest were never seen again.

Re: Sinking of City of Paris, Between 1887 - 1918

Posted: 13 Apr 2015 2:16PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks BobNY! I had seen this date but was very confused as to the relation of the other ship.

Do you think it's feasible to find the passenger list for that passage?

Re: Sinking of City of Paris, Between 1887 - 1918

Posted: 13 Apr 2015 4:22PM GMT
Classification: Query
Perhaps. There are files at the National Archives at Kew regarding sunk British vessels during WWI. The following record is at the Archives:

Reference: ADM 137/4031
Description: Enemy submarines: particulars of attacks on merchant vessels in Mediterranean
Date: 1917 Apr.
Held by:The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record

I have no idea whether a passenger list would be in the file. As near as I can tell, the vessel was a general cargo ship and carried only 13 passengers.

You might also want to try old newspaper accounts from the UK.
per page

Find a board about a specific topic