The Princess Victoria disaster

53 years ago, on January 31,1953, the British ferry "Princess Victoria" foundered in severe weather off the Irish coast.  She sank shortly after 1400 local time, taking 128 people with her.

One of those was the ship's Radio Officer, David Broadfoot, who continued sending distress messages as the ship was capsizing.  He even apologised for his poor sending to the Portpatrick Coast Radio Station as the vessel was on her beam ends......

At about 0900 GMT, one massive wave punched through the ship's stern steel doors, cracking them wide open.  Icy waters flooded through, engulfing the car deck.

As the crew desperately battled to close the buckled doors, the Princess Victoria lurched violently. At 0945 GMT, two hours after leaving Stranraer, Radio Officer David Broadfoot tapped out an Urgency message (prefix XXX) on 500 kHz:

"Hove to off mouth of Loch Ryan. Vessel not under command. Urgent assistance of tug required."

In the desperate hours that followed, Broadfoot would send 60 Morse Code messages for help on 500 kHz right up until his final message at 1358 GMT.

Broadfoot sent his first SOS message at 1032 GMT:

"Car deck flooded. Heavy list to starboard. Require immediate assistance. Ship not under command."

Radio Officer David Broadfoot, GC

At 1348, Broadfoot sent his last message:

 "SOS estimated position now 5 miles east of Copelands, Entrance Belfast Lough".

The Princess Victoria rolled over and sank just after 1400.  Broadfoot made no attempt to save himself.

For many years the staff at Portpatrick Coast Radio Station maintained a memorial garden to Broadfoot, with the ships callsign (GZMN) spelt out in flowers.

The highest UK award for bravery which can be made to a civilian is the George Cross.

The following announcement appeared in the London Gazette dated 6th October, 1953:

 

"The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to make undermentioned award :-

GEORGE CROSS.

David BROADFOOT (deceased), Radio Officer, m.v. "Princess Victoria". (Stranraer.)

"Princess Victoria" left Stranraer on the morning of 31st January, 1953, carrying 127 passengers for Larne . After leaving Loch Ryan she encountered north-westerly gales and squalls of sleet and snow. A heavy sea struck the ship and burst open the stern doors and sea water flooded the space on the car deck causing a list to starboard of about 10 degrees. Attempts were made to secure the stern doors but without success.

 

The Master tried his ship back to Loch Ryan but the conditions were of such severity that the manoeuvre failed. Some of the ship's cargo shifted from the port to the starboard side and this increased the list as the crippled vessel endeavoured to make her way across the Irish Sea.

From the moment when "Princess Victoria" first got into difficulties, Radio Officer Broadfoot constantly sent out wireless messages giving the ship's position and asking for assistance. The severe list which the vessel had taken, and which was gradually increasing, rendered his task even more difficult. Despite the difficulties and danger he steadfastly continued his work at the transmitting set, repeatedly sending signals to the coast radio station to enable them to ascertain the ship's exact position.

When "Princess Victoria" finally stopped in sight of the Irish Coast her list had increased to 45 degrees. The vessel was practically on her beam ends and the order to abandon ship was given. Thinking only of saving the lives of passengers and crew, Radio Officer Broadfoot remained in the W/T cabin, receiving and sending messages although he must have known that if he did this he had no chance of surviving. The ship finally foundered and Radio Officer Broadfoot went down with her. He had deliberately sacrificed his own life in an attempt to save others."

David Broadfoot was born on  July 21st, 1899 at Stranraer, Scotland.  He started work as a GPO messenger before enrolling at a Marconi College where he trained to be a Merchant Navy Radio Officer. 

Broadfoot went to sea just after the Great War, and had served at sea through the Second World War before joining the “Princess Victoria” on 2nd October 1950.  He held a 1st Class Wireless Telegraphy Certificate (No 4713).

On 20th October 1953, Mrs Muriel Broadfoot, of Royal Avenue, Stranraer, accompanied by her 13-year-old son William, attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace to receive the George Cross from HM the Queen, which had been awarded posthumously to her husband.

His grandchildren eventually donated his George Cross to the Stranraer town museum, where it is now on display along with other memorabilia from the sinking.

Vale David Broadfoot.

David Broadfoot's George Cross on display in the Stranraer town museum

Sources: BBC, Wikipedia

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