The Heartbreaking True Story of the World War II Sinking of the Children Ship

During World War II, amidst the chaos and destruction, an unimaginable tragedy unfolded on the high seas. It is a story that is often overlooked in the annals of history but one that deserves to be remembered – the sinking of the children ship.

The children ship, also known as the SS City of Benares, was a passenger ship that set sail from Liverpool, England on September 13, 1940, bound for Canada. On board were 90 children, mainly evacuees from Britain, who were seeking refuge from the horrors of war. Little did they know that their journey would end in despair.

The ship was part of a convoy, which was supposed to provide a safe passage across the treacherous Atlantic Ocean. However, disaster struck just a few days into the voyage. On September 17, the SS City of Benares was torpedoed by a German U-boat, U-48, off the coast of Ireland.

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

by Deborah Heiligman (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	117256 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	302 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The attack was swift and merciless. The torpedo struck the ship's starboard side, causing a massive explosion. Panic ensued as passengers and crew scrambled for lifeboats. However, the ship was sinking rapidly, and chaos and confusion prevailed. In the midst of the chaos, the most heartbreaking tragedy unfolded – the children, separated from their families, found themselves alone and scared.

As the ship began to tilt, lifeboats were launched, but many were overcrowded and capsized, further adding to the horror. Some children were thrown into the freezing water, their tiny bodies struggling against the waves, while others clung to the wreckage in a desperate bid for survival.

Rescue efforts were launched, but the rough seas and the dark night made it incredibly challenging. It wasn't until the next morning that a British destroyer, HMS Hurricane, arrived at the scene. By then, many had succumbed to the icy waters, and the survivors were on the brink of exhaustion.

In total, 258 people lost their lives in the sinking of the children ship, including 77 children. It was a devastating loss that shook the world and highlighted the cost of war on innocent lives.

The sinking of the children ship had a profound impact on the war effort. It served as a rallying cry, galvanizing support for the war and highlighting the importance of protecting the most vulnerable during times of conflict. The tragedy also led to changes in the way children were evacuated, with stricter guidelines put in place to ensure their safety.

Decades later, the memory of the children ship lives on. Memorials have been erected to commemorate the lives lost, and survivors, now elderly, continue to tell their stories. Their resilience and courage serve as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Today, as we remember the fallen, let us not forget the children who never had a chance to grow up, the innocent victims of a war they did not create. Their story serves as a reminder of the cost of conflict and the importance of ensuring a better, more peaceful future for generations to come.

In , the sinking of the children ship during World War II was a tragic event that deserves to be remembered. It symbolizes the unimaginable loss and suffering experienced by innocent civilians during times of war. Let us learn from their story and strive for a world where such tragedies are never repeated.

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

by Deborah Heiligman (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	117256 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	302 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

From award-winning author Deborah Heiligman comes Torpedoed, a true account of the attack and sinking of the passenger ship SS City of Benares, which was evacuating children from England during WWII.

Amid the constant rain of German bombs and the escalating violence of World War II, British parents by the thousands chose to send their children out of the country: the wealthy, independently; the poor, through a government relocation program called CORB. In September 1940, passenger liner SS City of Benares set sail for Canada with one hundred children on board.

When the war ships escorting the Benares departed, a German submarine torpedoed what became known as the Children's Ship. Out of tragedy, ordinary people became heroes. This is their story.

This title has Common Core connections.