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Lifeboats watching the Athenia as it sinks, Sept 1939
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Lifeboats watching the Athenia as it sinks, Sept 1939
Illustration of overcrowded lifeboats as they watch the transatlantic ocean liner, the Athenia, sink. The ships are shown lighting flares, creating what the Sphere describes as an " eerie scene" amid the " heavy swell" which threatened to fill the overloaded boats with water.
September 1939
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Media ID 23266966
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Glasgow Jul19 Lifeboat Lifeboats Liners Macpherson Rescue Steamer Steamship Submarine Submarines Torpedo Transatlantic U Boat Vessels Liner
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EDITORS COMMENTS
September 1939: The Sinking of the Athenia and the Race for Survival Amidst the tumultuous waves of the North Atlantic, an eerie scene unfolds as the transatlantic ocean liner, the RMS Athenia, sinks into the depths below. The heavy swell threatens to fill the overloaded lifeboats with water, as desperate passengers and crew cling to the flimsy crafts, their faces etched with fear and despair. The Athenia, a British passenger liner en route from Glasgow to Montreal with a cargo of Canadian and American passengers, was torpedoed by a German submarine on September 3, 1939, just days after the outbreak of World War II. The attack marked the first civilian casualties of the conflict, with the loss of over 1,100 lives. In this poignant illustration, the lifeboats, filled beyond capacity, watch helplessly as the Athenia disappears beneath the waves. The stark contrast between the orderly rows of lifeboats and the chaos of the sinking ship creates a haunting image that encapsulates the uncertainty and fear of the early days of the war. The scene is further illuminated by the flares launched from the lifeboats, casting an eerie glow over the water. The flares, meant to signal for help, add a sense of urgency to the already dire situation. As the sun sets on this tragic night, the survivors in the lifeboats face an uncertain future. Their fates hang in the balance, as they await rescue and the possibility of a new beginning. The sinking of the Athenia would serve as a stark reminder of the realities of war and the importance of unity and resilience in the face of adversity.
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