The Loss of the SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy

On the morning of November 2, 1942, the SS Rose Castle was anchored off Bell Island, Conception Bay, Newfoundland waiting with other ore carrier merchant ships to sail with convoy WB-9. The SS Rose Castle was to carry iron ore from the mines on Bell Island across the Atlantic. At 7:00 am the German uboat, U-518 under the command of Friedrich-Wilhelm Wissmannfired, fired torpedoes at the anchored ore carriers. The SS Rose Castle and PLM-27, a steam merchant carrier, were hit and both ships were lost. Twenty-two crew and one gunner from the SS Rose Castle were lost. Seventeen crew and 2 gunners were rescued by Canadian motor launches. Seven crew from PLM-27 were lost; thirty-five crew and six gunners were able to swim to shore. Eleven members of the crew from Nova Scotia lost their lives in the sinking of the SS Rose Castle

The Loss of SS Rose Castle November 2, 1942

References/Additional Reading: https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/2356.html https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?144070 http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/sos/naufrages/002031-2150-e.html Veterans Affairs Canada

Ali, Said Donkeyman SS Rose Castle Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 46 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Said was the husband of Ruth Ali, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 84 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on February 21 and July 21

Bennett, Reginald Able Seaman SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 18 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bennett, of Saint John, New Brunswick Listed on the Hants County War Memorial Commemorated on Page 94 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on February 27 and July 27

Burt, Fred 2nd Steward SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 26 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Fred Burt was the son of Elizabeth Burt, of North Sydney, Nova Scotia Listed on the Hants County War Memorial Commemorated on Page 104 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 4 and August 1

Dwyer, William J. Trimmer SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 22 Memorial: Halifax Memorial William Dwyer was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Dwyer, of Sydney Forks, Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 130 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 17 and August 14

Gabriel, Albert Edward Trimmer SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 20 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Albert Gabriel was the son of Elisa Jane Gabriel, of Sydney, Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 139 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 21 and August 18

Green, John Robert Third Mate SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 30 Memorial: Halifax Memorial John Robert Green was the husband of Cecilia Green, of Sydney, Nova Scotia Commemorated on Page 146 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 25 and August 22

MacLeod, Angus Oiler SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Son of Rory and Louise MacLeod, of New Boston, Nova Scotia. Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 21 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Augus MacLeod was the son of Rory and Louise MacLeod, of New Boston, Cape Breton Co., Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 180 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on April 11, September 8, and November 14

MacMullin, Patrick Oiler SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Birth: August 3, 1920 Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 22 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Patrick was the son of John and Stella (Dickson) MacMullin, of Louisburg, Cape Breton Co., Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 190 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on April 16, September 13, and November 19 The Memorial Cross presented by the Ministry of Transport to Patrick’s mother.

McPherson, Michael J. Ordinary Seaman SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 18 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Michael was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McPherson, of New Waterford, Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 191 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on April 16, September 13, and November 19

Photo: Operation Picture Me

Miles, James Boatswain SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 42 Memorial: Halifax Memorial James was the husband of Julia Miles, of North Sydney, Nova Scotia Commemorated on Page 193 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on April 17, September 14, and November 20

Vatcher, Arthur J. First Mate SS Rose Castle, Canadian Merchant Navy Date of Death: November 2, 1942 Aged: 40 Memorial: Halifax Memorial Arthur was the son of John and Ruth Vatcher, Burgeo, Newfoundland and the husband of Jane Vatcher, Harrietsfield, Halifax County, Nova Scotia. Commemorated on Page 243 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on May 13, October 10, and December 15

SS Rose Castle as it was sinking.

photo: courtesy of Pat MacMullin, nephew

This Memorial Cross is forwarded to you by the Minister of Transport on behalf of the Government of Canada in memory of one who died in the service of their country