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Crowlink Ladies Club - June meeting report
AFTER welcoming members to the June meeting Bridget introduced Bob Page, who had kindly filled a gap at very short notice replacing the arranged speaker, who unfortunately was ill.
Bob began with an explanation of the title of his talk, 'The Derbyshire'.
This was a bulk carrier, the biggest British ship lost, disappearing without trace in 1980.
The dimensions were enormous – some 1,000 ft long and the width of a six lane highway.
It was carrying a full cargo of iron ore with 38 seamen and two wives on board and was in the Indian Ocean on September 9 with a typhoon forecast.
The last message sent that day stated that they were hove-to due to a severe tropical storm; no Mayday message was sent. A search on September 15 found only an oil slick.
After much frustration, several inquiries and a great deal of hard work by Marion Bayliss, the wife of Curly Bayliss, the ship's chief officer, an attempt was made to locate the wreck and eventually met with success on the last day of the search, when a plaque was fitted to the stricken vessel honouring all those lost.
Sopme 20 years later, further funds were eventually made available and the final report lasted 54 days concluding that the sinking ship experienced a catastrophic situation.
The Derbyshire Family Association was formed in 2003 and John Prescott opened the Derbyshire Exhibition.
Vera Tame thanked Bob for his most interesting and thought provoking talk, which he had illustrated with slides and pictures.
Bob kindly donated his fee to his chosen charity, 'Downland Heartstart' of which he is an active member.
Refreshments were served and the raffle drawn. Next month we welcome Mr Thomas Cramer telling of his 'Work as a Toastmaster' with the added bonus of strawberry tea!
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Weather for Eastbourne
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
