NOSTALGIA: Are you related to those lost in harbour wartime tug disaster?

You may well remember that last week I published some photographs of models made by David Barber of cinemas/picture houses that once proliferated all over the city.Â
The tug Irishman, lost in Langstone Harbour in 1941.The tug Irishman, lost in Langstone Harbour in 1941.
The tug Irishman, lost in Langstone Harbour in 1941.

David has asked me to mention a former manager of the Essoldo in Southsea. She was Veronica Ward who managed the cinema in the late 1960s/early 1970s. If Veronica is still in the city please contact David on [email protected].

On the subject of past cinemas, if you have an interest you must try to get your hands on a DVD made by Peter Flint.

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It is a 45-minute film all about the great cinemas that once existed in the city. Much of the film has been taken inside those that remain in whatever guise they may be now.

The Odeon cinema, Southsea, featured on Peter Flints DVD.The Odeon cinema, Southsea, featured on Peter Flints DVD.
The Odeon cinema, Southsea, featured on Peter Flints DVD.

To obtain copies at £7 including postage and packing, text 07544 958 505 or e-mail  [email protected].

The film includes more than a dozen of the former picture houses that people used to flock to in the days before television and it will bring back many memories for you.

'¢I wonder if any readers might be related to one of the eight men who were lost in Langstone Harbour on May 8, 1941?

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The tug Irishman of 1929 vintage was towing a crane barge when she ran into a parachute mine. Both vessels were lost with all hands. The wrecks, or what is left of them, are now marked by a sighting post in the harbour at Sword Sands.

I believe this was the scene after the unveiling of the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on October 15, 1924. Picture: Robert James CollectionI believe this was the scene after the unveiling of the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on October 15, 1924. Picture: Robert James Collection
I believe this was the scene after the unveiling of the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on October 15, 1924. Picture: Robert James Collection

Five of those lost on the tug were the master Clement Young, along with Robert Alderton, Colin Duke, Albert Lofting and Harry Underdown. The bargemen's names are unknown.

'¢In the picture of Palmerston Road, Southsea, all the buildings you see were destroyed on January 10, 1941. What remained was later flattened by demolition men.

It shows the north side of Palmerston Road in Edwardian days with St Jude's Church spire poking over the rooftops. Although it looks like it has been raining the water came from a water cart that kept the street clean and dust free. The road is now pedestrianised.

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'¢Another one from the collection of Robert James is the shot of the naval war memorial on Southsea Common.

Edwardian Palmerston Road, Southsea. Everything you see here was destroyed in the blitz of January 10, 1941. The road has just been cleaned by a water cart. Picture: Robert James CollectionEdwardian Palmerston Road, Southsea. Everything you see here was destroyed in the blitz of January 10, 1941. The road has just been cleaned by a water cart. Picture: Robert James Collection
Edwardian Palmerston Road, Southsea. Everything you see here was destroyed in the blitz of January 10, 1941. The road has just been cleaned by a water cart. Picture: Robert James Collection

I believe it was taken on the occasion of the memorial's unveiling on October 15,1924, commemorating the 10,000 sailors who lost their lives during the First World War and who had no known grave. The names of 15,000 sailors from the Second World War were added on an extension on the common side of the memorial in 1953.

Wouldn't it be lovely if something like this was recreated this coming Remembrance Sunday, marking the centenary of the end of the First World War.

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