Exhibition to remember loss during sea tragedy

THE loss of the SS Samtampa and the Mumbles-based Edward, Prince of Wales, lifeboat along with 47 men at Sker Point, near Porthcawl, on April 23, 1947, was the worst Welsh maritime disaster of modern times.

Now, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the disaster, an exhibition has opened to tell the story.

The bilingual exhibition is being held at the Kenfig Reserve, Ton Kenfig, during April.

Gary Victor, of Porthcawl Shout Forum, explained: “What could be more beautiful and pleasing than walking along the coastal path from Rest Bay to Sker and Kenfig in spring sunshine with the sea as calm as a mill pond.

“However, as all seamen know, the weather is a fickle master and at times unbelievably violent and savage – as it was on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 23, 1947.

“The 7,200-ton Liberty ship SS Samtampa had successfully evaded German U-boats on its many convoy crossing of the Atlantic. But a mega Porthcawl storm forced it across the Bristol Channel and onto the rocks at Sker Point.

“Local people were unable to stand to help because of the storm’s ferocity and the ship was smashed into three pieces at the Pwll Dafan inlet and took the lives of the 39 crew, which included five teenagers.

“With breathtaking courage, the eight-man Mumbles Lifeboat, Edward, Prince of Wales, was launched to attempt a rescue, knowing it was a near impossible mission.

“They too made the supreme sacrifice as the boat was lost with all hands and later washed up near the Samtampa wreck.

“The exhibition at the Kenfig reserve centre is the nearest point to where the disaster took place that you can drive to.

“We would like to thank the Kenfig Corporation for all their help and support.”