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The
school ship.
Most of you will remember the picture
situated on the wall behind the stage in the Hall. It was an original
watercolour and depicted SS "Beaverford", a Canadian Pacific
cargo ship. The school adopted the ship in 1936 through the workings of the
“Ship Adoption Society”. The ship was lost with all hands on 5 Nov 1940 as
a result of an heroic holding action, fighting alongside the Armed Merchant
Cruiser, HMS "Jervis Bay", against the enemy pocket
battleship, "Admiral Scheer". The full story can be found on:
http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/~JervisBay/jervisbaymon2.htm
The picture, (which is reputed to have
been painted by an artist named S Stott), and the memorial plaque were
dedicated on 20 May 1944 in the presence of the widow of the ship's
master, Capt Hugh Pettigrew. An essay on the "Beaverford" can be
seen in the "Archives".
Another site dedicated to the
"Beaverford" is at
http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/beaverford.html
Also
http://members.tripod.com/~merchantships/cprships1.html
We are trying to locate the whereabouts
of the picture in order to have a print placed on this site. An enquiry was
made to the Local History Museum at Bruce Castle Park, but they had no
information. The Local Education Authority has been approached.
4 Oct 2001 - A reply from Haringey
Council has been received. In essence, it outlines the various
amalgamations leading to the demise of Downhills and then goes on to state
they cannot account for the picture:
"......................... I realise
this will be a disappointment to you. I am not able to suggest any further
lines of enquiry."
I am sure you all will agree, this is not
a satisfactory answer and not the end of the matter as regards Haringey
Council.
28 Oct 2001 - Rita Read of Bruce Castle
Museum has unearthed, and sent to us, the report on the dedication
service for the original "Beaverford" picture. It is from the
"Tottenham and Edmonton Weekly Herald" dated 26 May 1944. The
actual service took place on 20 May 1944. Click here to view.
October 2002 - After some detective work
involving the "Friends of War Memorials", The Imperial War Museum
and a lady named Estelle Lumb, the grand daughter of the penultimate master
of the "Beaverford", the plaque that accompanied the picture has
been located.
It was discovered, discarded, some distance from the school by a local
Tottenham man in 1968. It is now in private hands. It was passed over only
recently by the finder, who had kept it in good condition since it was
found. The plaque was loaned for display at the recent reunion.
Click the link below for a full crew list for the Beaverford on that last
fateful voyage.
Below
is an extract from a book written by Commander CR Vernon Gibbs RN, entitled
"Western Ocean Passenger Lines and Liners 1934 to 1969."
SS BEAVERFORD
"The Canadian Pacific fleet has always
included cargo ships and one which earned immortality should be mentioned,
since by some inexplicable chance her name has escaped general record.
"Beaverford" belonged to Halifax convoy HX 84 which on 5th
November 1940 encountered the (German) pocket battleship Admiral Scheer.
The escorting armed merchant cruiser, Jervis Bay, at once attacked,
although her swift destruction was a certainty. The convoy scattered and
Admiral Scheer pursued the nearest large ship, "Beaverford". The
white ensign (on the Jervis Bay) was gone and "Beaverford", though only armed for
defence against submarines, must keep her red ensign flying to the last to allow
more fortunate vessels to speed away in other directions. Her fight with
Admiral Scheer began about sundown and skill combined with fortune enabled
her to resist until nearly an hour before midnight. Then
"Beaverford" blew up leaving no survivors."
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