Papers of R A Louis Bridson, predominantly Isle of Man Steam Packet Company research as well as notes on other vessels on which he served as a Merchant Seaman
Date(s): 20th century
Creator(s): various
Scope & Content: Contents include but are not limited to his personal file (includes names of men lost in Mona's Queen at Dunkirk on 29 May 1940 and in TSS Fenella on 30 May 1940 at rear of this file).
Administration / Biographical History: Robert Alfred Louis Bridson was born on 29 November 1919 at 12 Big Well Street, Douglas, isle of Man. He was christened at St Barnabas Church, Douglas on 21 December 1919 and later confirmed in this church on 10 February 1935) He married Emily Cain (Millie Cain) at St George's Church, Douglas on 11 March 1943, the couple later raising their two children Michael and Linda.
Louis signed on at Southampton on 20 December 1939 to serve on TSS Mona's Queen, an Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessel requisitioned for war service, with the rank of able bodied seaman (AB). With fellow crew he was on board when she was torpedoed and sank at Dunkirk, northern France during the evacuation of allied troops from Normandy. He kept meticulous records of his career including his personal file which records all the ships he sailed on between December 1939 and November 1974 (see deposit MS 09416).
During his career in the Merchant Navy Louis worked for several shipping lines including the B & I Line (British & Irish Steam Packet Co. Ltd, Dublin) and Coast Lines but his career began and ended on Steam Packet boats having risen in seniority as an officer to qualify as a Master in 1950. At his retirement he was serving as Chief Officer.
Louis was the last surviving Manxman of the 'Mona's Queen' which sank at Dunkirk. He died on Monday 15 December 2003. His funeral was held at St George's Church, Douglas on Tuesday 6 January 2004, followed by cremation at Douglas Borough Crematorium.
Language: English
Extent: 3 boxes
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: FONDS
ID number: MS 09416
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im
Comments
Archive catalogue
Linked Records
Museum:
- Isle of Man Steampacket vessel registration details (Manuscript)
- Papers of R A Louis Bridson concerning his merchant navy career and research into the history of the crew and vessels of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (research notes)
- File of registration particulars of Steam Packet vessels 1830-1973 compiled by Louis Bridson (Research notes)
- Louis Bridson on his wedding day (photograph)
- Louis Bridson and others (photograph)
- The Cargo and Cattle Carrier "Fenella" First Motor Ship for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. Ltd. (journal extract)
- Report of burial at sea of Sir Thomas White from the Isle of Man Steam Packet vessel Fenella off Llandudno (newspaper extract)
- The Geared Turbine Passenger Steamships "King Orry" and "Mona's Queen" two fast Twin-screw Ships for the Isle of Man Service (journal extract)
- The New Isle of Man Steamer The "Mona's Queen" built and engined by Cammell Laird & Co., Birkenhead, for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (journal extract)
- Isle of Man Turbine Steamer "Fenella" constructed by Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs, Limited, Barrow-in-Furness (journal extract)
- The New "Ben-My-Chree" built and engined by Cammell Laird & Co., Birkenhead, for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (journal extract)
- Isle of Man Geared-Turbine Steamer "King Orry" (journal extract)
- The Turbine-driven Steamer "Viking" (journal extract)
- Text of tribute delivered at the funeral of Louis Bridson on 6 January 2004 by Captain Jack Ronan (text of eulogy)
Library:
- Isle of Man Geared-Turbine Steamer "King Orry"
- The New "Ben-My-Chree" built and engined by Cammell Laird & Co., Birkenhead, for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
- The Cargo and Cattle Carrier "Fenella" First Motor Ship for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. Ltd.
- Report of burial at sea of Sir Thomas White from the Isle of Man Steam Packet vessel Fenella off Llandudno
- Isle of Man Turbine Steamer "Fenella" constructed by Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs, Limited, Barrow-in-Furness
- The New Isle of Man Steamer The "Mona's Queen" built and engined by Cammell Laird & Co., Birkenhead, for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
- The Geared Turbine Passenger Steamships "King Orry" and "Mona's Queen" two fast Twin-screw Ships for the Isle of Man Service
- The Turbine-driven Steamer "Viking"
Archives:
- Papers of R A Louis Bridson concerning his merchant navy career and research into the history of the crew and vessels of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
- Louis Bridson on his wedding day
- File of registration particulars of Steam Packet vessels 1830-1973 compiled by Louis Bridson
- Text of tribute delivered at the funeral of Louis Bridson on 6 January 2004 by Captain Jack Ronan
- Isle of Man Steampacket vessel registration details
- Louis Bridson and others