HMS VANESSA:

[keithattregenna]

Apparently, the people of Barry adopted a warship (HMS Vanessa) and during Warship Week they raised a remarkable sum of £214,000.

In recognition of this fantastic effort, a plaque was presented to the people of the Borough of Barry in appreciation of their generous contributions. Is this story correct? And if so where is the plaque?

LINK: www.barryanddistrictnews.co.uk/news/letters/9007584.Where_is_plaque_/

[keithattregenna]

V-Class destroyer in the 9th Order of the 1916-17 Programme from Beardmore and laid down on l0th May 1917. She was launched on 16th March 1918 and was the 1st major RN warship to carry this name, although it was used for a yacht hired in 1914 for patrol duties. Build was completed on 21st June 1918 but by December 1921 she had been placed in Reserve at Rosyth. After being brought forward in 1939 this destroyer Joined the 17th Destroyer Flotilla for convoy defence. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in December 1941 she was adopted by the civil community of Barry, Glamorgan.

LINK: www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-09VW-Vanessa.htm

[keithattregenna]

Barry`s War Fundraising:
During the Second World War towns around Britain had ‘drives’ to raise money for weapons.

Barrians raised thousands of pounds during these drives, which would have been ‘millions’ of pounds in today`s money.

The town`s people raised funds to by a Spitfire and a Destroyer, HMS Vanessa. You can find out more about these at Barry at War exhibitions.

LINK: barryatwar.info/the-second-world-war-2/barrys-war-fundraising/

[Admin]

HMS. Vanessa: Apparently this Vessel Was Adopted By Barry During World War II. In 1942 She Sank The German U-Boat 357 In A Joint Action With H.I.S Hesperus.

Certain all in and from Barry now, would love to hear all and more of Vanessa, the ship the town adopted ?

Admin /Kieran.

[keithattregenna]

MISSING BARRY HISTORY:

Local historians have sought much for many years with regard to what is noted but not evident. Some of the content they seek may or may not exist. The evidence is compelling yet the artefacts etc remain elusive.

RMS Titanic is remembered well , the later Lusitania tragedy also, the Lusi lost off the Old Head of Kinsale apparently saw a body or bodies found as far east as Barry, with possibly a burial or burials in town. Reported was / is: More bodies continued to wash ashore as far west as the Aran Islands and as far east as Barry, Wales. No one seeks to be morbid, but would just like to know . more ?.

The fairly recently redeveloped Seamen’s Mission on Dock View Road was built at the turn of the century and opened its doors to the visiting seamen in 1905. It served more than 30,000 seamen and their families annually. The facilities provided accommodation, meals and a reading room. Sunday services were held in the adjacent chapel named St. Peter’s.

With the demise of shipping at Barry Docks, the Mission and Chapel finally closed. The Chapel Bell and Communion Wine Table (that was commissioned by the ships docked in Barry at the time of the Titanic disaster, as a memorial to the seamen that had been lost), were apparently removed to St. Mary’s Church, Holton Road, Barry, when the doors of the church finally closed.

A similar tribute was apparently donated / given to All Saints Church and may have been a kneeling stool or possibly a lectern, again concerning and in tribute of Titanic.

December 7, 1960: the thirty-two year old Empress of France was offered for sale, recorded well is she was bought by the British Iron and Steel Corporation for scrap. Apparently the Empire Bar was dismantled and incorporated as the Empress Room in the Barry Hotel, Barry, Glamorgan. In 1961 the ship's bell was presented to Colonel John Wallis, Army Headquarters, Ottawa.

The Empress bar at the Barry Hotel, Barry, was the main bar, the Barry Hotel ceased trading and has been renovated to private dwellings, rumour has it that the bar may still exist ?

Makepeace and Luen’s:

After the watchtower ceased to be used, Mr Luen rented the building and used it as tea-rooms, before converting the old lime kilms (which became the Beachcomber) into a cafe. At one time the Luen family catered for most visitors to Watchtower Bay. Dudley ran the bottom cafe, and his brother Sid ran the bungalow on the top of the bank, which was named the “Watchtower Tea Gardens”. Later to change its name to the “Lido Cafe”. By the 50’s it was known to by all and sundry as “Luen’s Cafe” and was a meeting place for the younger element who used the pool.
This name was to changed again when it turned into the first disco in Barry. The “77 Club”.
T. CLEMETT 2003.

Two candlesticks were apparently donated to All Saints via family and a Makepeace window? Any knowledge welcomed:

More recent projects have been involved with the even more unknown, or rather not found or proved yet; A portrait of an unknown mariner mystery, proved to be of a famous seaman, Barry residents paid for a Spitfire, the sought after plaque has been located. More now is sought on the Destroyer HMS Vanessa and evidence of our adoption for history and for Barry.

Although, would be welcomed, the intention ever is not to take anything away from the present holders of Barry Historic Artefacts, more so that we just know where they are and our heritage is safe. If nothing else would appreciate a photograph and measurements that a replica can be made for the town.

K.

[lorrainehoward]

Hi Keith
The candlesticks were donated by the Makepeaces as was the window. June (my aunt) has been to Barry a few times and the church is always locked up - sign of the times? On my next visit to Barry I shall ring ahead and see if I can arrange to go and see them. I last saw them at Auntie Eva's funeral years and years ago.
Thanks so much for posting that.
Lorraine

[Admin]

Hi. Lorraine; Keith has explaind to me much of Jim Luen.

We will feature and pay tribute to Jim ASAP:

It would be great when this occurs if you can add to it.

Regard's Kieran:

A little of Jim: LINK: www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/Pdf/BDH%20JIM.pdf