William was a Merchant Seaman [Fireman/Watertender] in the United States Merchant Marine. He died in the sinking of the Liberty Ship, "William H. Welch" off the coast of Scotland. It was one of 21 ships sunk or damaged during February 1944.
His body was recovered and repatriated for interment at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum
The ship had 74 souls on board. She was in convoy EN-50, en route from London to New York via Loch Ewe, Ross-shire, Scotland, when struck by a storm and wrecked on Fura Island (Eilean Furadh Mor) near the entrance to Loch Ewe. After grounding at 04:20 local time, Feb 26, 1944, waves 50 feet high rolled over the ship. At 0600 the ship broke in two forward of the midship house. The heavy seas prevented life boats from being launched. All hands gathered on the flying bridge. At 11:52, giant waves swept the bridge, washing the men into the sea. Dashed ashore onto rocky cliffs, covered in oil, and exposed to the harsh cold water, only 12 survivors were found by the courageous local inhabitants (crofters) from the village of Cove, and Scots military servicemen and life saving service crewmen who tried to get lines to the stricken ship.
For a complete account of this tragedy, read "Cold Corner of Hell" by Robert Carse; Doubleday & Co., Garden City, NY, 1969.
William was a Merchant Seaman [Fireman/Watertender] in the United States Merchant Marine. He died in the sinking of the Liberty Ship, "William H. Welch" off the coast of Scotland. It was one of 21 ships sunk or damaged during February 1944.
His body was recovered and repatriated for interment at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum
The ship had 74 souls on board. She was in convoy EN-50, en route from London to New York via Loch Ewe, Ross-shire, Scotland, when struck by a storm and wrecked on Fura Island (Eilean Furadh Mor) near the entrance to Loch Ewe. After grounding at 04:20 local time, Feb 26, 1944, waves 50 feet high rolled over the ship. At 0600 the ship broke in two forward of the midship house. The heavy seas prevented life boats from being launched. All hands gathered on the flying bridge. At 11:52, giant waves swept the bridge, washing the men into the sea. Dashed ashore onto rocky cliffs, covered in oil, and exposed to the harsh cold water, only 12 survivors were found by the courageous local inhabitants (crofters) from the village of Cove, and Scots military servicemen and life saving service crewmen who tried to get lines to the stricken ship.
For a complete account of this tragedy, read "Cold Corner of Hell" by Robert Carse; Doubleday & Co., Garden City, NY, 1969.
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