The S.S. Berlin
The British liner, the S.S. Berlin, was owned by the Great Eastern Railway Company. It had 2 sister ships, the S.S. Amsterdam and the S.S. Vienna, all three were built in 1894 at the Earle shipyard in Hull.
The SS "Berlin" ferry was built in 1894 by Earles Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Hull for the Great Eastern Railway. The Berlin operated from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. The ship was wrecked off the Hook of Holland (Hoek van Holland) on 21st February 1907. Over a hundred people died and around 48 of the crew lived in Harwich, including Captain Precious whose memorial is at All Saints Church, Dovercourt. The aftermath of the disaster led to 37 widows and 208 children of the crew without fathers in the Harwich area.
This ferry crossing was part of the train route between London and Berlin, the ship foundered off the Dutch coast near Hoek van Holland during a terrible storm. The boat eventually split in two after striking a pier, with the extreme weather making rescue attempts very difficult and only 15 of the approximately 150 passengers were saved. Heroic attempts to save lives were made by the Dutch lifeboat crews, who were awarded medals for outstanding acts of bravery. When the news reached the shores of Harwich, many families were affected and only the generosity of local towns folk softened the tragedy for those affected.
This ferry crossing was part of the train route between London and Berlin, the ship foundered off the Dutch coast near Hoek van Holland during a terrible storm. The boat eventually split in two after striking a pier, with the extreme weather making rescue attempts very difficult and only 15 of the approximately 150 passengers were saved. Heroic attempts to save lives were made by the Dutch lifeboat crews, who were awarded medals for outstanding acts of bravery. When the news reached the shores of Harwich, many families were affected and only the generosity of local towns folk softened the tragedy for those affected.
~01 ~ #29565 Parkeston Quay (1905) by Bells H&D ~
~ 02 ~ The Great Eastern Railway Steamer S.S. Berlin (1902) H&D ~
~ 03 ~ The S.S. Berlin Foundered on the 21st February 1907 H&D F ~
~ 04 ~ The Great Eastern Railway R.M S.S. Berlin & Captain Precious (1907) H&D F ~
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~ 05 ~ S.S. Berlin at the Hoek van Holland (1906) H&D FW ~
~ The S.S. Berlin Crew ~
~ 06 ~ Front ~ The S.S. Berlin Crew, Harwich, Essex (1907) H&D FW ~
The last known photograph of Captain Precious and Crew of the ill-fated S.S. Berlin in 1907.
Captain Precious can be seen centre of the photograph, with William Moore leaning on his shoulder.
Captain Precious can be seen centre of the photograph, with William Moore leaning on his shoulder.
~ 06 ~ Reverse ~ The S.S. Berlin Crew, Harwich, Essex (1907) H&D RW ~
~ Disaster & Rescue ~
At 05:00 on Thursday, 21 February 1907, the Hook lighthouse keeper recorded that the S.S. Berlin was navigating the channel when she suddenly veered off course northward after a huge wave struck her on her port quarter. Captain Precious and pilot Bronders managed to return the ship to her original course, but another wave struck the S.S. Berlin and she swung northward again, causing her to become impaled on the tip of the granite breakwater at the entrance to the New Waterway.
The steamer S.S. Berlin colliding with a breakwater off the Hook of Holland, 21 February 1907.
The vessel broke in two and sank with the loss of 128 lives. Illustration for Le Petit Parisien, 10 March 1907.
The vessel broke in two and sank with the loss of 128 lives. Illustration for Le Petit Parisien, 10 March 1907.
S.S. Berlin Disaster, Hoek Van Holland (1907) Le Petit Parisien H&D FW
The S.S. Berlin was impaled by the storm on the toe of the North Pier breakwater at 5am on the 21st February. Despite being so close to port nothing could be done to rescue those aboard until 1.30 pm on the 22nd. The gale was still severe and snow squalls still swept down over the sea, but the waves had moderated a little and the tide was low. The tug Hellevoetsilius lowered a boat manned by pilots' apprentices. Watched by spectators ashore they made repeated attempts to get a line over the Berlin. One of the rescuers eventually managed to seize the end of a boat's fall which was hanging down from the Berlin's side. Communication with the wreck had at length been established. 8 survivors were to slide down this to safety, three women were left aboard, too exhausted with cold and fatigue to rescue themselves. These were eventually rescued by the tug Wodan . There were no further survivors of the wreck, and although the death toll was never finally established the subsequent Board of Enquiry found that in its opinion 85 passengers and 48 of the crew, including all the certificated officers, were lost.
~ 07 ~ Captain Sperling Heroic Rescue from the S.S.Berlin (1907) H&D FW ~
“Captain Sperling's heroic rescue from the ss Berlin”
Prince Henry made a visit the following day and went out on the pilot boat Helvoetsluis as Helvoetsluis and President van Heel attempted to recover the bodies from the sea and rescue the fifteen people remaining on the stern.
The rescue of the people required a great deal of effort. An important role in this rescue was played by lifeboat Captain Martijn Sperling who used a small boat to reach the North Pier and ascend its iron beacon, from where he was able to throw ropes to the deck of the wreck to rescue 11 of the survivors. Captain Sperling then took a yawl from the salvage vessel Van der Tak alongside the wreck to rescue the remaining three survivors, all female.
The rescue of the people required a great deal of effort. An important role in this rescue was played by lifeboat Captain Martijn Sperling who used a small boat to reach the North Pier and ascend its iron beacon, from where he was able to throw ropes to the deck of the wreck to rescue 11 of the survivors. Captain Sperling then took a yawl from the salvage vessel Van der Tak alongside the wreck to rescue the remaining three survivors, all female.
~08 ~ His Royal Highness Prince Hendrik follows the rescue efforts of the “Hellevoetsluis” ~
~ The Wreck ~
~ 09 ~ 3333 C. Wreck of the Berlin (1907) Philco Series H&D FW ~
Waves swept over the vessel, and both Captain Precious and Bronders soon were swept overboard. The Dutch steam lifeboat President van Heel attempted to offer aid, but the rough seas prevented her from approaching the stricken vessel.
S.S. Berlin broke in two amidships around an hour later at 06:00. The majority of those on board had fled to the bow, which sank when the ship broke in half. President van Heel could not close with the survivors on the stern of the vessel due to the weather. Only one man, a Captain Parkinson who was travelling as a passenger, was able to swim to the safety of the lifeboat
S.S. Berlin broke in two amidships around an hour later at 06:00. The majority of those on board had fled to the bow, which sank when the ship broke in half. President van Heel could not close with the survivors on the stern of the vessel due to the weather. Only one man, a Captain Parkinson who was travelling as a passenger, was able to swim to the safety of the lifeboat
~ 10 ~ #6435 I Wrak van het aan den Hoek Van Holland SS Berlin (1907) H&D FW ~
~ 11 ~ 6436 II Wrak van het aan den Hoek Van Holland SS Berlin (1907) H&D FW ~
The wreck of the S.S. Berlin on the pier of Hoek van Holland.
~ 12 ~ 6437 III Wrak van het aan den Hoek Van Holland SS Berlin (1907) H&D FW ~
~ 13 ~ Gezicht Op De Pier en het Wrak van het den Hoek van Holland (1907) H&D FW ~
~ 14 ~ I Wrak van het aan den Hoek Van Holland S.S. Berlin (1907) H&D FW ~
~ 15 ~ II Wrak van het aan den Hoek Van Holland S.S. Berlin (1907) H&D FW ~
~ 16 ~ III Wrak van het aan den Hoek Van Holland S.S. Berlin (1907) H&D FW ~
The correct number of persons on board the ferry at that time was apparently not immediately known. Estimates in English newspapers ranged from 128 to 180 persons on board.
It is now known that 128 of 144 persons on board were killed, including about 40 crew members. The Berlin tragedy was a very large disaster for its time, and the investigation into it became the standard for later government investigations of shipping accidents.
Following the disaster, the Railway Passengers Assurance Company, Ltd., now part of "Aviva Plc", paid out £8,600, its largest single loss at the time. Of the 128 people killed, 10 were insured by the company, with three holding general accident policies and seven holding boat and rail tickets.
It is now known that 128 of 144 persons on board were killed, including about 40 crew members. The Berlin tragedy was a very large disaster for its time, and the investigation into it became the standard for later government investigations of shipping accidents.
Following the disaster, the Railway Passengers Assurance Company, Ltd., now part of "Aviva Plc", paid out £8,600, its largest single loss at the time. Of the 128 people killed, 10 were insured by the company, with three holding general accident policies and seven holding boat and rail tickets.
~ 17 ~ Wrak Harwichboot S.S. Berlin I (1907) H&D FW ~
~18 ~ Wreck of the SS Berlin Feb 21st (1907) S.E. Dowdy H&D FW ~
~ 19 ~ Wreck of the SS Berlin Feb 21st (1908) H&D FW ~
The Aftermath
A group of Wivenhoe men decided to open a disaster fund for the families of the victims of Berlin's loss. A committee to administer this fund first met on the 6th March 1907 at the Nottage Institute with Mr A. K. Barlow of Wivenhoe Hall in the chair. Bearing in mind that the crew members' families would have been left without a breadwinner in the days before Social Security, there would have been a dire need for some sort of relief.
The money raised by the fund was passed to the Mayor of Harwich's Fund later the same month.
When the Titanic was lost on the 14th April 1912, a similar fund was established and the same book was used to record its proceedings
The money raised by the fund was passed to the Mayor of Harwich's Fund later the same month.
When the Titanic was lost on the 14th April 1912, a similar fund was established and the same book was used to record its proceedings
~ 20 ~ Berlin Disaster Funeral procession past St Peter's Church, Ipswich (1907) H&D FW ~
~ 21 ~ Victims Graves of the SS Berlin Disaster (1907) H&D FW ~
One notable passenger was Mr. Herbert, a King's Messenger travelling with diplomatic bags, including ones for Berlin, Copenhagen, and Tehran. The Tehran bag contained belongings of the Persian Prince ala-as-Saltanch: his jewelled sword and his decorations including the insignia of the Knight Grand Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. Although it is believed that Mr Herbert's body was recovered on 16 March 1907, his family asked for it to be treated as unidentified. The sword was recovered in early April 1907.
A second notable victim was Hendrik Spijker of the Spyker car company. Following his death in the sinking, investigations revealed that the company′s finances were in a parlous state, leading to the company declaring bankruptcy.
William Dearborn Munroe, general manager of the Arctic Coal Company, and Lotte Wetterling, wife of the opera singer Theodor Bertram, also drowned in the wreck.
A second notable victim was Hendrik Spijker of the Spyker car company. Following his death in the sinking, investigations revealed that the company′s finances were in a parlous state, leading to the company declaring bankruptcy.
William Dearborn Munroe, general manager of the Arctic Coal Company, and Lotte Wetterling, wife of the opera singer Theodor Bertram, also drowned in the wreck.
~ 22 ~ Funeral of J F Rollason, Victim of the Berlin Disaster I (1907) H&D FW ~
The Funeral procession for Mr. John Francis Rollason, 1887-1907, a well known Leamington jockey, buried in Lillington. He was drowned in the sinking of the "Berlin" off the Hook of Holland with his father, Edwin Rollason, on their way to a racing engagement in Holland. February 27th 1907.
~ 23 ~ Funeral of J F Rollason, Victim of the Berlin Disaster II (1907) H&D FW ~
Funeral procession of Mr. John Francis Rollason, 1887-1907, a well known Leamington jockey, buried in Lillington. He was drowned in the sinking of the "Berlin" off the Hook of Holland with his father, Edwin Rollason, on their way to a racing engagement in Holland. February 27th 1907
~ 23 ~ Funeral of J F Rollason, Victim of the Berlin Disaster III (1907) H&D FW ~
Large gathering of people outside St Mary's Church, Lillington for the funeral of Mr J.F. Rollason. February 27th 1907
~ 24 ~ Grave of J F Rollason, Victim of the Berlin Disaster (1907) H&D FW ~
The grave of John Francis Rollason (1887-1907) a well known Leamington jockey, buried at St Mary's Church, Lillington February 27th 1907
~ 26 ~ SS.Berlin Wreck 05 (1907) H&D FW ~
~ 27 ~ An SS Berlin Survivor Jimmy Farthing (1907) H&D FW ~
An SS Berlin Survivor, Jimmy Farthing, a "Deck Boy" on the ship, from Hamilton Street, Parkeston.
This postcard shows four railwaymen and the "Deckboy", alongside the Matron [possibly a Mrs.Yates]. The boy is Jimmy Farthing and was one of only 15 rescued from the sinking SS Berlin in 1907. They are sitting at the entrance to the "Railway Men's Home" seen below.
The boat was a Railway service which explains why he convalesced at this establishment. He lived in Hamilton St. Parkeston,Essex. I suspect the date to be 1907/08 Mrs Yates was the first Matron there from 1901 In the year of 1907, the SS Berlin, operating from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, floundered with over 128 deaths due to the tragic disaster. The postcard was sent in 1907 from the Herne Bay, Convalescent Home for Railway men, where Jimmy was recovering. The Railwaymen's Convalescent Home at 22 Reculver Road, was the first of a number of homes dedicated to the welfare of railwaymen. It opened at the turn of the 20th century.
This postcard shows four railwaymen and the "Deckboy", alongside the Matron [possibly a Mrs.Yates]. The boy is Jimmy Farthing and was one of only 15 rescued from the sinking SS Berlin in 1907. They are sitting at the entrance to the "Railway Men's Home" seen below.
The boat was a Railway service which explains why he convalesced at this establishment. He lived in Hamilton St. Parkeston,Essex. I suspect the date to be 1907/08 Mrs Yates was the first Matron there from 1901 In the year of 1907, the SS Berlin, operating from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, floundered with over 128 deaths due to the tragic disaster. The postcard was sent in 1907 from the Herne Bay, Convalescent Home for Railway men, where Jimmy was recovering. The Railwaymen's Convalescent Home at 22 Reculver Road, was the first of a number of homes dedicated to the welfare of railwaymen. It opened at the turn of the 20th century.
~ 27a~ #44285 Railway Men's Home Herne Bay (1907) Valentines H&D FW ~
~ 28 ~ Tramway Men With Organ (1907) H&D FW ~
The Full Harwich & Dovercourt Newspaper Report (1907) H&D FW
This rare Dutch card illustrates the close link shared between Harwich & The Hook of Holland with the words "Vergaan den 21 Februari 1907" roughly translating to "Perished on the 21st February 1907" ~ H&D
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#2320 Bandstand & Cliffs, Dovercourt (1907) H&D ~ A simple card, but tragic words on the other side (see below).
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~ #2320 Bandstand & Cliffs, Dovercourt (1907) H&D Reverse ~
A simple card, but the extremely sad words, clearly illustrate the magnitude of the tragic loss, it was posted the day after the disaster.
A simple card, but the extremely sad words, clearly illustrate the magnitude of the tragic loss, it was posted the day after the disaster.