Volume 2, Issue 4
September 2009
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Nautical Tales - One October Afternoon
mines and they were satisfied that the route was safe.
In the afternoon of 22nd October, just off Saranda, one of the three ships, HMS Saumarez, hit a mine, suffered a violent explosion near to the bridge, and caught fire. The sea was alight with burning oil, but HMS Volage managed to secure a tow rope and, just as she was moving off, she also struck a mine which blew off her bows.
The crew of HMS Volage courageously manoeuvred her back to into position to recover the tow and amazingly both ships sailed, stern first, towards Corfu Town. During that horrific thirteen-
In the afternoon of 22nd October, just off Saranda, one of the three ships, HMS Saumarez, hit a mine, suffered a violent explosion near to the bridge, and caught fire. The sea was alight with burning oil, but HMS Volage managed to secure a tow rope and, just as she was moving off, she also struck a mine which blew off her bows.
The crew of HMS Volage courageously manoeuvred her back to into position to recover the tow and amazingly both ships sailed, stern first, towards Corfu Town. During that horrific thirteen-
In April 1946, British warships were steaming through the Corfu Channel, that narrow sea passage between the north East of Corfu and the Balkan mainland, when they were fired upon by an Albanian shore battery. The ensuing political discussions resulted in Britain reaffirming that the channel was in international waters and promising to return fire if the incident was ever repeated.
Some six months later, in an exercise to establish the channel as a safe passage for international shipping, four British naval ships sailed through with the instructions to return any hostile fire. At that time, the British navy had the responsibility for sweeping the channel for
Some six months later, in an exercise to establish the channel as a safe passage for international shipping, four British naval ships sailed through with the instructions to return any hostile fire. At that time, the British navy had the responsibility for sweeping the channel for
hour journey, the survivors on both ships lived in fear of further explosions. Forty-four of their colleagues had been killed and
a further fifty had suffered serious injury.
Albania denied all knowledge of the mines but, in a subsequent
Albania denied all knowledge of the mines but, in a subsequent
sweep of the straits, twenty-five brand new mines were found that were later proved not to be left over from WW2. It was decided by the League of Nations that the mines could not have been laid without the knowledge of Albania.
Of the forty-four men killed in the incident, only twelve bodies were ever recovered and all those who lost their lives are remembered on a commemorative stone in the British Cemetery in Corfu Town – famous for its peace, tranquillity and being home to the best collection of Corfiot orchids anywhere on the island.
Of the forty-four men killed in the incident, only twelve bodies were ever recovered and all those who lost their lives are remembered on a commemorative stone in the British Cemetery in Corfu Town – famous for its peace, tranquillity and being home to the best collection of Corfiot orchids anywhere on the island.
