Harold's Story.
At 00:53 on the 29th September 1940 the unescorted Bassa which had dispersed only a few hours early from convoy OB-218, was hit aft by one torpedo from U-32 captain by Hans Jenisch and sank by the stern southwest of Rockall. The Germans observed how the crew abandoned ship in lifeboats, but the survivors were never seen again. The complete crew of 50 were lost.
Just over a month later, on the 30th October 1940 U-32 received the same fate when it was sunk by depth chargers from British destroyers HMS Harvester and HMS Highlander
SS BASSA
Northwich Guardian Friday NOV 15th, 1940
Northwich Man in Lost Ship, Volunteered for Merchant Service.
A Northwich man is missing in the SS Bassa, now presumed lost by the admiralty.
He is Harold Deakin, aged 20, of 19 Flower Street, Castle, Northwich, son of Mr & Mrs H.Deakin, of that address. Mr Deakin was an apprentice fitter at Messrs. W.J.Yarwoods before the war, but volunteered for the merchant service. He sailed as fourth engineer on the Elder Dempster liner Bassa.
During the past year, he has had one thrilling experience after another. He was at Narvik during the historic battle and then took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk.
His mother has received the following latter from Elder Dempster Lines Ltd.
"We deeply regret to have to inform you we are advised by the Admiralty that the SS Bassa is gravely overdue, and in the absence of any other news of this vessel she must, we fear, be presumed to be lost.
"Should any information reach us regarding either the vessel or members of the crew we will immediately notify you.”
Harold DEAKIN Fourth Engineer Officer S.S.Bassa(Liverpool) Merchant Navy was lost at sea. His name is recorded on Panel 15 of the Tower Hill War Memorial. London commemorating men of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who died in both world wars and have no known grave.
Cheshire County Memorial Project would like thank Elaine Hanson for the information on Harold.