Thurrock Memories: The Empire Windrush

DOWN Memory Lane looks back 60 years ago to this week at what has become a national iconic moment in history.

The arrival of the M.V. Empire Windrush at the Tilbury landing stage was for those on board the beginning of a new journey - coming home to the 'mother land', for work and new opportunities in the austere post-war years.

The Empire Windrush started its life as a diesel-powered motor ship, launched in Germany on 4th December 1930.

She was used by the Hamburg South American Steam Shipping Company in 1931, which named her "Monte Rosa" and used her for cruises.

Passengers aboard the cruises were often privileged Nazi Party members, as part of the Strength through Joy' programme, rewarding and encourage party members.

In the Second WW the ship was used as a barracks ship, then as a troopship for the invasion of Norway in 1940. At the end of the war the Monte Rosa was captured by British forces at Kiel and taken as a prize of war. In 1946 the ship was assigned to the British Ministry of Transport and converted into a troopship.

She was renamed HMT Empire Windrush in 1947. The vessel was operated for the British Government by the New Zealand Shipping Company, and made one voyage only to the Caribbean in 1948 before resuming normal trooping voyages.

Her last voyage was in 1954, sailing from Yokohama to the United Kingdom with approx 1,500 recovering wounded UN veterans of the Korean War.

The voyage was plagued with engine breakdowns and other defects, taking ten weeks to reach Port Said, having left port a fire broke out in the engine room. a subsequent explosion and fierce oil-fed fire killed four members of the engine room crew.

Having rescued the crew and passengers the burned out hulk was taken under tow by the HMS Saintes attempting to get her to Gibraltar, but worsening weather, caused Empire Windrush to sink on the 30th March 1954.

This weekend we celebrate the arrival on Saturday with a free access to the historic Tilbury Riverside terminal (International London Cruise terminal today).

There are planned three major tours (from 10.30 to 3.00), exploring the Railway Station and Customs Hall, the landing stage and joining brows will be viewed (but not accessible).

During the tour re-enactment, music and play-lets will be performed focused on the Windrush arrival. The Sunday events are by ticket only.

HISTORY FEEDBACK:

I am getting some feed back on those who worked at the Corringham Shrimp factory and about links with Thurrock and Eileen Fowler. Both will be featured soon in Down Memory Lane.

HISTORY FACT OF THE WEEK:

June 22, 1901: Corringham Light railway to Kynoch's explosive factory opened.