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H. M. destroyer rescues passengers of the Athenia, Sept 1939
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H. M. destroyer rescues passengers of the Athenia, Sept 1939
Sailors on a British destroyer are shown holding onto former passengers of the Athenia in a lifeboat, 1939. The Sphere comments on the swell which made the rescue operation more difficult. In the background, sailors can be seen helping another lifeboat and the steam yacht Southern Cross, another rescue boat, is in the distance.
September 1939
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Media ID 23266970
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Destroyer Destroyers Glasgow Jul19 Lifeboat Lifeboats Liners Macpherson Operation Passengers Rescue Sailor Sailors Southern Steamer Steamship Torpedo Transatlantic U Boat Vessels Liner
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EDITORS COMMENTS
September 1939: A Moment of Hope Amidst the Chaos of War - H.M. Destroyer Rescues Passengers of the Athenia Amidst the tumultuous waves of the North Atlantic, the swell of war was in full force. The skies were darkened by the impending threat of conflict, as the date of September 1, 1939, marked the beginning of the Second World War. In this poignant moment, captured by the lens of the Illustrated London News, British sailors extend a hand of hope to former passengers of the Athenia, a transatlantic liner torpedoed by a German U-boat. The sailors, hailing from the Glasgow-class destroyer, Macpherson, braved the treacherous waters to save the lives of those aboard the stricken vessel. The rescue operation was far from easy, as the swell made the already difficult task even more challenging. In the background, additional sailors can be seen assisting another lifeboat, while the steam yacht Southern Cross, another rescue boat, looms in the distance. The Athenia, a symbol of peace and prosperity, had been traveling from Montreal to Liverpool when it was struck by the German submarine. The attack marked the first civilian casualties of the war, with the loss of over 1,000 lives. The image of the sailors rescuing the passengers serves as a poignant reminder of the human spirit that emerged amidst the chaos and destruction of war. As the sailors worked tirelessly to save those in need, the world watched on in horror and disbelief. The events of this day would forever change the course of history, as the war that had been brewing for years finally reached its boiling point. This image stands as a testament to the bravery and selflessness of the British Navy during a time of great uncertainty and fear.
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