Paul Haley

In response to:Barry Remembers

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 19:13:25 +0100

Barry should remember and be proud of the Paddle Steamer built for and named after the Town.

The PADDLE STEAMER `BARRY` 1907 - 2007

Cheers to the pleasure steamer – popular and fast,
With a jaunty rake of funnel and bunting from the mast,
Paddles swooshing easily foaming as they churn,
Leaving wake – ruler straight, trailing there astern.

Her glossy shining paintwork of red and pearly white,
Flying proud the ensign on halyard whipping tight,
The cheering of the passengers leaning on the rail,
And jingle of the telegraph when about to sail.

The fascinating engines steaming hell for leather,
Captain’s orders from the bridge open to the weather,
Called upon in wartime years for such sterling work,
Plus helping out the Navy and Army at Dunkirk.

One such vessel of renown was the P.S. Barry,
Famous in the Great War for troops she had to carry,
Outstanding in Gallipoli and last from Suvla Bay,
Serving at Salonika toiled in danger’s way.

She was built upon the Clyde one hundred years ago,
Excursion fit for passengers on deck and down below,
Registered in Barry - in her early years,
Calling in the Channel ports mooring at the piers.

Ilfracombe or Weston, down to old Minehead,
Burnham and the Mumbles - then home in time for bed,
She gave so many people, hours of bracing pleasure,
Merrymaking families enjoying days to treasure.

Later on in `twenty-six she worked our southern climes,
Sailing out of Brighton and Hastings many times,
Then sweeping mines in `forty-one on a fatal run,
She perished in the North Sea, sunk there by the Hun.

It’s right recalling history of South Wales long ago,
Of local crew and seamen sailing to and fro,
For they worked the paddle steamers giving them their power,
In our favorite waters – from Bristol to the Gower.

The Paddle Steamer Barry was built for the Barry Railway Company’s fleet and sailed on May 24, 1907, before leaving the Clyde to begin her pleasure steamer career from Barry and the Bristol Channel.

J.S.EARL 2007

A gift of History to the Town and people of Barry from Her Name Was Tregenna, a web site created as a tribute to Captain Care of Barry and the men of one particular ship, though it now carries additional material.

http://www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/

www.ss-tregenna.co.uk

In response to:Barry Remembers

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:27:18 +0100

We at The Her Name Was SS.Tregenna web site are conducting research, much on behalf of enquiries and also on behalf of the Merchant Navy Association (Wales)Barry Branch. All findings will be recorded forever. Possibly by Terry, if he does publish a talked about follow up. Copies of all will be eventually handed to Barry Town Council, possibly to keep at the Memorial Hall or the state of the art library. This in absence of a Maritime Museum.

There are over 600 names on the MN Roll of honour in Barry alone, there are many that are reseaching INFORMATION ON THESE HEROES, including local man David Simpson, whom deserves much praise for his work especially in continuing the work of Fred Hortop. Davids wish along with many others to see a Maritime Museum inspires us.

"I am indebted to Fred Hortop, for inspiring me to carry on in a very small way, his work." David Simpson.

Fred Hortop, recently crossed the bar. He had done so much to ensure that the people of Barry could pay their respects to her heroes. David intends to carry on the work of Mr Hortop adding details to his research, via the internet. David went to sea himself at the age of 15 in 1940. David is keen to see a Maritime Museum in Barry and has much support.

"There are no graves: no crosses: no where a loved one can shed a tear: We should remember them." David Simpson

David has a new web site and can be found at :
http://www.barrymerchantseamen.org.uk or via a link from: www.ss-tregenna.co.uk

We would welcome any information regarding the Merchant Navy Seamen on the Roll of Honour and will hopefully find many tales of bravery to add to these names. We shall Remember them. May we also thank Barry Town Council, Especially Cllrs. Hodges for the great ongoing work and publication of those fallen and at rest at Merthyr Dyfan. Sir we would welcome information on your relatives, along with all others.

In response to:Barry Remembers

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:23:24 +0100

Hi Keith,

Spot on!

I've recently read the excellent book by Terry Breverton about Merchant Seaman losses in Wales, but particularly from Barry. I'd recommend this book to anyone.

My grandfather was a Merchant Seaman who was lost at sea whilst on the Embassage. His name appears in the Hall of Rememberance.

When the Merchant Seaman Memorial sculpture was unveiled outside the Civic Offices several years ago, my family discovered that my other grandfather's brother was named on the plaque. This was unknown within the family, so we discovered some missing history.

In response to:Barry Remembers

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:16:34 +0100

Hi Ironnickel,

Several months ago, I followed a 5-week kettlebell training programme to get used to the exercises.

Yesterday, my own kettlebells have arrived. So, I will regularly post details of the programme that I am going to follow over the next few months.

My trainer was my cousin who is a physio and fitness trainer who has some more details on his website, and he can supply 'bells

www.martinhaley.co.uk

In response to:Barry Remembers

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:21:46 +0100

We at the Her name Was Tregenna web site remember Captain Care of Barry, South Wales and his crew, we further remember all with no known grave but the sea. Churchill recognised that without the Merchant Navy all would have been lost and Kipling told that without the Merchant men and Merchant ships - Britain would starve. The German determination to destroy our unarmed Merchant ships faster than we could build them was devastating and although each seamens’ next voyage may have been and often was his last. Never did such ships fail to have full crews. The bravery of these good men kept our supply lines open and our people both fed and free. Please also remember these men of the British Merchant Navy still not Home from the sea. In all conflicts Merchant Men still play a huge part. Remember the forgotten service along with all. Barry as a Town and port played its part. Few streets had no losses in both World Wars and the community grieved heavily. Pride in Barry! There is no doubt and this year 11/11 must have had its largest numbers. With so many of the brave, no longer with us, it was marvelous to To see the youth of Barry flying the flags. Was was said” Let them that come after us, remember us” Barry has shown it as a town and community Remembers in a big way – Thank you Barry, one and all and our thanks to what seems toward, anaward Award” Our Town deserves it. Not a nomination but an award.

We at the Her name Was Tregenna web site remember Captain Care of Barry, South Wales and his crew, we further remember all with no known grave but the sea and those in particular at rest at Merthyr Dyfan. Churchill recognised that without the Merchant Navy all would have been lost and Kipling told that without the Merchant men and Merchant ships - Britain would starve. The German determination to destroy our unarmed Merchant ships faster than we could build them was devastating and although each seamens’ next voyage may have been and often was his last. Never did such ships fail to have full crews. The bravery of these good men kept our supply lines open and our people both fed and free. Please also remember these men of the British Merchant Navy still not Home from the sea. In all conflicts Merchant Men still play a huge part. Remember the forgotten service along with all. Barry as a Town and port played its part. Few streets had no losses in both World Wars and the community grieved heavily. Pride in Barry! There is no doubt and this year 11/11 must have had its largest numbers attending in many years. With so many of the brave, no longer with us, it was marvelous to see the youth of Barry flying the flag. It has often been said ” Let them that come after us, remember us” Barry has shown that as a town and community it Remembers Greatly – Thank you Barry, one and all and our thanks to what seems like a united Town Council. An award Please to our Town, Barry should be Proud.
Her Name Was Tregenna is a site created as a tribute to Captain Care of Barry and his crew of the SS. Tregenna. LEST WE FORGET.
www.ss-tregenna.co.uk
hernamewas.ss@tiscali.co.uk
A Merchant Seaman

I’ve read about soldiers and sailors
Of infantry, airmen and tanks,
Of battleships, corvettes and cruisers,
Of Anzacs, Froggies and Yanks;
But there’s one other man to remember
Who was present at many affray,
He wears neither medals or ribbons
And derides any show of display.

I’m talking of AB’s and fireman,
Of stewards, greasers and cooks,
Who manned the great steamers in convoy,
(You won’t read about them in books).
No uniform gay were they dressed in,
Nor marched with colours unfurled,
They steamed out across the wide oceans,
And travelled all over the world.

In response to:Barry Remembers

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:01:05 +0100

Please talk about kettlebells.