Extract from The Evening News 14th August 1932
Shields Fireman drowned in North Sea Collision Drama
Trawler and Steamer in Night Crash
Holed Swedish Ship Beached at Amble
A North Shields man was drowned last night in a sea drama off the Northumberland coast following a collision between the Swedish motor vessel Montrose (1,784 tons) and the steam trawler Polar Prince, belonging to Messrs R. Irvin and Sons, North Shields.
He was Peter Stark, aged 20, fireman on the Polar Prince, eldest son of Mr and Mrs P. J. Stark, 142 Heaton Terrace.
The Evening News was informed to-day that it was feared at first that the trawler had been lost with all hands and that four members of the crew of the Montrose had lost their lives. The boats were involved in collisions off Amble at ten o'clock last night and anxiety concerning the fate of the crew of the trawler was allayed at two o'clock this morning when the crippled vessel arrived at North Shields Fish Quay. She was towing a lifeboat containing five members of the crew of the Montrose, and the fact that those men had been brought to the Tyne had given rise to the belief that they had been drowned.
The Montrose, which was badly holed, had to dash to the shore and was beached in a sandy bay near Amble. She was refloated late to-day and proceeded slowly under her own steam to the Tyne for dry docking and repairs. The tug Joffre accompanied her.
Mother's Premonition
A lifeboat from each vessel was launched immediately after the impact to ascertain if either needed assitance and for some apparently inexplicable, reason the one from the trawler, containing Stark and another man, whose name has not been ascertained, began to fill with water.
Both men eventually found themselves in the sea and one was picked up by the boat from the Montrose, but Stark disappeared, A search was made for some time, but there was no trace of him.
Skipper William Bowden, of North Shields, in command of the Polar Prince, and all members of the crew received emphatic instructions to-day not to make any statements, and consequently an Evening News reporter was unable to ascertain their version of the tragic affair.
No Statements
"We have received orders not to speak about the matter and we do not intend to," remarked several of the crew when approached for the story of the happening.
The trawler was quickly docked at the yard of the Shields Engineering Co., North Shields and it was seen that she had been badly damaged about the stern. The ironworks was badly buckled right down and as far back as the fore-bulkheads. In fact, at first glance, the stem strongly resembled a stern. It appeared as thought the vessel had sprung a leak after the collision, for water was dripping steadily from the fore part.
The Polar Prince landed fish at Aberdeen yesterday and was on her way to North Shields when the mishap occurred, while the Montrose sailed form Hartlepool last night at five o'clock bound for Aberdeen.
According to a member of the crew of the Montrose who was in the boat towed to North Shields, he said the reason for their coming to the Tyne was at the request of the skipper of the trawler. Apparently the skipper feared that the trawler might not be able to reach the Tyne, and having lost the ship's lifeboat, asked the other lifeboat to accompany him in case of emergency.
Five Swedes Landed
The five Swedes in the boat were H. Veikstrom, second officer; P. Ohlsson, donkeyman; G. Lundmark, A.B.; E. Ludgren, fireman; and T. Hoanson, steward. They were taken to the Tyne Sailor's Home, North Shields where they received every attention from the superintendent, Mr. F. Soderquest and staff.
Interviewed by an Evening News Reporter, Mr Ohlssson said, "I was sleeping at the time of the collision, and when I was called, I rushed from my bunk to the deck. The Montrose was stuck amidships on the portside near number two hatch.
"The boat gradually settled down in the water and five of us went in to the lifeboat. Two men were in the water and we only managed to pick one of them up. We searched about for some, but could not find the other.
Two Men Hurt
"We were asked by the trawler skipper to follow his boat with our lifeboat in case anything happened to the trawler. We were towed to North Shields by the trawler and arrived about two o'clock.
"Our boat was sent out to rescue the trawler crew that is how we have been brought here. None of the crew of 15 of the Montrose was hurt, but I believe one or two men on the trawler received minor injuries. I believe our boat was beached."
Mother "Worried all week"
Fear For Safety of Missing Son
Mrs. P. J. Stark, mother of the missing youth, told The Evening News that she had had a premonition that something serious would happen.
"I have been worried to death all this week," she said. "Another of my sons has visited the Fish Quay every day. Immediately I saw Mr Hannant of the Fshermens' Mission coming up the road this morning I knew what to expect."
Mrs Stark told the reporter that her only hope was that the Montrose has picked up her son.
"I cannot yet believe that he has gone," she sobbed. "He was too good a boy for that.
"He has been with the trawlers for about three years, but has only been with the Polar Prince a few weeks.
"I became concerned when the vessel did not return earlier," she added.
John Edward Stark was the eldest of five sons. He attended the King Edward School and was very keenly interest in sport.
Steamer Badly Damaged
Safely Beached After Exciting Dash
The vessels collided in foggy weather about five miles from Coquet Island.
The Montrose was badly holed in her fore part and had to dash to the nearest coast. She beached early to-day in a sandy bay a short distance from Amble and though in an exposed position was not in any danger so long as the weather remained good.
After the collision the Montrose sent out S.O.S. calls for assitance and dispatched a lifeboat to stand by the trawler but owing to the speed with which she made water her captain decided he must make for the shore.
Lifeboat's Search
The Boulmer lifeboat and at least six other vessels searched the scene of the collision for many hours fearing that the trawler had sunk and hoping that they might rescue any survivors. Then there came a message that a trawler towing a boat had been seen making for the Tyne and this proved to be the trawler which had been involved.
The Montrose is owned by the Redern A/B Monark of Stockholm.