Saturday, January 19, 2013

"Lights" and the Falcon: The Continuing Story of Charles Lightoller-- Part 2

The Falcon had a turtleback bow and a big bridge which had been rebuilt after a German shell from a Belgian coast battery scored a direct hit and killed the former captain and eight men.

The ship carried 80 tons of coal and was manned by a crew of 60 men.

When not on U-boat patrol, the Falcon was continually crossing the English Channel escorting troop and supply ships.  At other times, the versatile ship could be found laying mines off the Belgian coast.

The Falcon's weaponry included depth charges, a 12-pdr. gun on the bow, five 6-pdrs. and two 18-inch torpedo tubes.

On April 1, 1918, the ship was escorting a 40-ship convoy when the trawler John Fitzgerald struck  the Falcon amidship and  almost cut it in two.  Lightoller must have had thoughts of the Titanic again at this point.  "Lights" transferred all the crew but three to the trawler and remained on the Falcon until it sank and then he spent 30 minutes in the stormy seas until the Fitzgerald picked them up.

He was later cleared of blame at a court martial.

A Real Survivor, That "Lights."  --DaCoot

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