Papers concerning Gerald O’Gorman and the sinking of SS BRADBOYNE
Contains identity card, photographs, correspondence and newspaper clippings.
Related material: See RMG Ref: MSS/77/007 which includes a typed account of the loss of the Bradboyne by Thomas Bo Dunster (1893-1983), master mariner (https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/archive/rmgc-object-464329). Dunster was Chief Officer on the Bradboyne, and was one of the two officers the No.2 lifeboat went back to rescue.
Administrative / biographical background
Quartermaster Gerald O'Gorman (1895-1920) a Belfast-born seaman, was serving on the Leyland liner SS OXONIAN, on 6 Feb 1920, when it went to the rescue of the officers and crew of SS BRADBOYNE (1918) of Bideford. The BRADBOYNE, a 5,000 tons cargo steamer, had left New York on 29 Jan 1920 for Cherbourg. During the voyage the ship encountered very wild weather and about 500 miles North West of the Azores, off Newfoundland, the ship’s steering gear broke and became useless. She took a heavy list over to one side and her cargo shifted. Wireless calls for aid were sent out and the steamship OXONIAN, of Liverpool (Captain John Parry), came to her aid. On her arrival it was decided to abandon the BRADBOYNE but their lifeboats had been destroyed in the storm. The Master of the OXONIAN called for volunteers to crew their two lifeboats and the boats, including O'Goramn, on No.2 boat, were lowered and rowed towards the BRADBOYNE. Ffifteen members of the Bradboyne crew managed to board No.2 boat. Then, in a further attempt to get the boat alongside again to rescue the remaining two officers, she capsized. Only four men regained her. Others attempted to swim to the OXONIAN, and ropes, buoys and rafts were thrown overboard from that vessel, but six of the Oxonian crew, together with thirteen members of the crew of the BRADBOYNE were drowned. A second vessel, the AMERICAN MONMOUTH, then arrived and rescued a further two men. The BRADBOYNE sank approximately twenty minutes later, with a total twenty three of her thirty one crew rescued. The OXONIAN arrived back in Liverpool on 10 Feb 1920. The Board of Trade awarded Sea Gallantry Medals to the seventeen men of the OXONIAN, including O'Gorman.
Related material: See RMG Ref: MSS/77/007 which includes a typed account of the loss of the Bradboyne by Thomas Bo Dunster (1893-1983), master mariner (https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/archive/rmgc-object-464329). Dunster was Chief Officer on the Bradboyne, and was one of the two officers the No.2 lifeboat went back to rescue.
Administrative / biographical background
Quartermaster Gerald O'Gorman (1895-1920) a Belfast-born seaman, was serving on the Leyland liner SS OXONIAN, on 6 Feb 1920, when it went to the rescue of the officers and crew of SS BRADBOYNE (1918) of Bideford. The BRADBOYNE, a 5,000 tons cargo steamer, had left New York on 29 Jan 1920 for Cherbourg. During the voyage the ship encountered very wild weather and about 500 miles North West of the Azores, off Newfoundland, the ship’s steering gear broke and became useless. She took a heavy list over to one side and her cargo shifted. Wireless calls for aid were sent out and the steamship OXONIAN, of Liverpool (Captain John Parry), came to her aid. On her arrival it was decided to abandon the BRADBOYNE but their lifeboats had been destroyed in the storm. The Master of the OXONIAN called for volunteers to crew their two lifeboats and the boats, including O'Goramn, on No.2 boat, were lowered and rowed towards the BRADBOYNE. Ffifteen members of the Bradboyne crew managed to board No.2 boat. Then, in a further attempt to get the boat alongside again to rescue the remaining two officers, she capsized. Only four men regained her. Others attempted to swim to the OXONIAN, and ropes, buoys and rafts were thrown overboard from that vessel, but six of the Oxonian crew, together with thirteen members of the crew of the BRADBOYNE were drowned. A second vessel, the AMERICAN MONMOUTH, then arrived and rescued a further two men. The BRADBOYNE sank approximately twenty minutes later, with a total twenty three of her thirty one crew rescued. The OXONIAN arrived back in Liverpool on 10 Feb 1920. The Board of Trade awarded Sea Gallantry Medals to the seventeen men of the OXONIAN, including O'Gorman.
Record Details
| Item reference: | GOR |
|---|---|
| Catalogue Section: | Personal collections |
| Level: | COLLECTION |
| Extent: | 1 folder (5 items) |
| Date made: | 1916-1921 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |