Middlesbrough Evening Gazette “Old News” Newspaper

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Wartime tragedy tribute planned to Teesside dock workers
by Dave Robson, Evening Gazette Jun 4 2012

A POIGNANT tribute is planned to Teesside dock workers who perished when a warship sank in the Tees.
In 1940, Flower Class corvette, La Bastiaise, was built for the French Navy at Smith’s Dock in South Bank.
During World War Two, more than 200 corvettes were built, including 19 at South Bank.
But tragically, while on sea trials off Hartlepool on June 22, 1940, La Bastiaise struck a German mine and sank, killing two French crew and 18 Smith’s Dock staff.
An emotional memorial service was held on Sunday, July 7, 1940, at St John the Evangelist Church, South Bank, where the names of the Teesside men who lost their lives were read out.
But because they were civilians, their names have never appeared on a memorial.
Now, after information about the tragedy was uncovered by Combined Services Association chair Peter Bird, the Friends of Smith’s Dock Park are seeking to put that right by funding a monument to the men. The fundraising campaign will kick off with a fun day on Friday, June 8.
Chairman of the Smith’s Dock Park Trust and The Friends of Smith’s Dock Park War Memorial, Liz Chambers, explained: “Because they were civilians, their names could not be put on a war memorial, even though they made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We are now trying to raise money for a monument near the war memorial to honour these men.”
The La Bastiaise gala day, sponsored by PD Ports, will take place in the park on Friday, June 8, from noon to 4pm. All Smith’s Dock Park groups will be taking part, with South Park Rangers Junior FC hosting a mini Olympics (registration 11.30am) and the bowling and cricket clubs holding pen days. There will also be funfair rides, stalls, dance demonstrations and more.
Prizes will be presented at 4pm in the Parklands pub, where an evening pool and darts competition will also be held.
Liz added: “The war took so many lives and it’s a shame when not everyone is remembered.
“They went so sea and didn’t come back, so it’s only right their sacrifice should be remembered.”
The 18 Teessiders who died were: RM Balls, S Hickling, JM Broad, T Hunter, CE Crowell, T Morman, JW Dobson, H Pateman, F English, LS Powell, W Gent, WH Pringle, V Hansson, H Rackshaw, CW Hall, HW Townshend, A Henderson, W Young.

Read More http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teess ... -31109633/

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La Bastiaise

"The second ship finished at Smiths Dock (WW11) was the `La Bastiaise’. This ship was allocated to the French and they sent a French crew and an overseer for it. This ship had few preliminary trials. The final trial trip in Tees Bay on Saturday, 22nd June 1940. A large number of men were aboard for the trial, including the Engine Works Outside Manager (Mr Dobson), Shipyard Outside Manager (Mr Townsend), 3 leading draughtsmen (Mr Gent, Powell and Hall), British Corporation Surveyor (Mr Balls) and many representing outside contractors, etc.. One of the draughtsmen had specially requested to attend this trial as he had been mainly responsible for the arrangement work in the main machinery space of the Corvettes."

The French supervising officer was saved and about 13 others, British and French.
On Board
British 25
French 49

http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4808.html

http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?12196

http://www.navypedia.org/ships/france/fr_es_flower.htm

http://www.wrecksite.eu/img/ownerbuilde ... y_wwii.jpg

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