Tuesday 26 May 2015

Fireman Thomas Milliken

Remembering today: Fireman and Trimmer Thomas Milliken, Mercantile Marine serving on board S.S “Rathlin Head” (Belfast). Thomas was the son of James and Sarah Milliken of Eden Carrickfergus. He was one of three killed on board S.S Rathlin Head following a torpedo attack on 26th May 1918.
Thomas was 22 years old and his body was never recovered. He is forever remembered on Tower Hill Memorial, London. ‪#‎LestWeForget

RATHLIN HEAD official number 110510 built in 1899, Ulster SS. Co., Ltd. (G. Heyn & Sons), Belfast.

25/5/1918: Torpedoed and damaged by U-46 (Hillebrand), SW of Ireland in position 49.40N, 12.00W, on a voyage from Swansea & Milford Haven - New Orleans in ballast.
Torpedoed again on 26th May, her Master, Captain W. J. Campbell succeeded in limping her to port with the assistance of a tug some two days after the attack, but three lives were lost. She was repaired and re-entered service, and following the war was returned to her owners in February 1919. She was demolished 10 years later in Rosyth by the Alloa Shipbreaking Co. Ltd.

Salvage of s.s. "RATHLIN HEAD" by H.M. Tugs "CARTMEL" and "FLYING SPRAY" and H.M. Trawler "GEORGE ANDREW" between the 26th and 28th May 1918.

The three seamen lost on RATHLIN Head were
Issac Cinnamond - Fireman and Trimmer - 26/5/1918
Thomas Milliken - Fireman and Trimmer - 26/05/1918

William James Rawe - Fireman and Trimmer - 26/5/1918.

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