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SS Africa at Tilbury Docks, September 1915
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SS Africa at Tilbury Docks, September 1915
A British cargo ship used to transport GWR built ambulance carriages to France during WW1. It was sunk on 16th September 1915 by a German mine off the coast of Kent. The GWR crew accompanying the ship survived, but the carriages were lost
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Media ID 14977996
© STEAM - Museum of the GWR
Boat First World War Ship Tilbury Docks
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This poignant print captures the SS Africa docked at Tilbury Docks in September 1915, during the tumultuous years of World War I. A British cargo ship with a vital mission, it was commissioned by the Great Western Railway (GWR) to transport their meticulously built ambulance carriages to France. These carriages played a crucial role in saving countless lives on the front lines. Tragically, fate had other plans for the SS Africa and its precious cargo. On that fateful day of September 16th, 1915, as it sailed off the coast of Kent, disaster struck when it encountered a German mine. The explosion sent shockwaves through both crew and vessel, ultimately leading to its sinking beneath the unforgiving waves. While there is solace in knowing that the GWR crew accompanying this ill-fated voyage survived against all odds, our hearts ache for those lost ambulance carriages left behind on that watery grave. Their absence would undoubtedly be felt deeply by those brave soldiers who relied on them for medical aid amidst war's chaos. This photograph serves as a somber reminder of sacrifice and loss endured during times of conflict. It stands as a testament to not only the bravery and resilience of those involved but also highlights how even seemingly mundane objects like cargo ships can become symbols of hope and devastation intertwined within history's tapestry.
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