Portland support HMS Sidon Memorial

Portland support HMS Sidon Memorial

Veterans gathered to mark 60 years since submarine disaster, Portland RNA supported the above event on the 16th June 2015 ensuring a very good turnout for the Submariners Association.

VETERANS gathered to remember lives lost in a Portland submarine disaster that happened 60 years ago.
A ceremony took place at the HMS Sidon Memorial yesterday, with one of the few remaining survivors placing a wreath by the memorial.
On Thursday, June 16, 1955, one of HMS Sidon’s torpedoes exploded, wrecking the torpedo tube and devastating the forward compartments.
Twelve men in the forward compartments died in the explosion.
When Sidon sank, a 13th victim died.
A medical officer, Dr Eric Rhodes, who had gone on board with the rescue party, collapsed unnoticed and died of asphyxiation after everyone else had evacuated.

His close friend Peter Lewis described Dr Rhodes as 'one of the bravest men on board' who did everything he could to save as many lives as possible.
The daughter of Dr Rhodes, Gill Dash, who was just three weeks old when she lost her father, attended the memorial.
Mrs Dash, who travelled from Essex with her family, said: "We are all very proud to be here.
"My father was only 27 when he died.
"I am wearing his medal he was awarded, the Albert Cross.
"I have just been given a Christmas card signed by him; it's so nice to have something sentimental written by him."
It was also the birthday of Dr Rhodes' great grandson, George, born on an anniversary of the accident.
Mayor of Portland Rod Wild said: "It is a wonderful turn out and it is a great chance to pay tributes to the men who died and those who survived."
Bryan Simpson, who was a 21-year-old leading seaman at the time of the disaster, is one of the last remaining survivors.
Recalling what happened, Mr Simpson said: "We were testing torpedoes and we had loaded them the day before we were due to go out.
"I came back to the control room to say all the torpedoes were loaded and that's when they exploded.
"At first we didn't realise how serious it was. It took a while for reality to hit but when it did it was absolutely devastating.
"I come back to the memorial every year and visit the cemetery and pay my respects."
Mr Simpson escaped by climbing up the tower – the nearest possible exit.
The memorial, next to Portland Heights, was put in place on the 50th anniversary of the tragedy in 2005.

As an afternote:
Our Branch President, Dick Barton, was watch below onboard HMS Maidstone at the time the accident happened.

The report and photos were donated by the Dorset Echo

Dan Sherren