No action in the Gallipoli campaign has gripped the imagination more than the landing at V beach, where four companies of Munsters, one of Dublins and two of the 1st Hampshires ( a regiment that had a close connection with the Irish ) The SS River Clyde and indeed V Beach will be for ever associated with the Irish.The first ashore was to be the 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers which landed from the ships boats that were towed or rowed ashore. The rest would be landed from a ' Trojan ' horse, the SS
River Clyde, a 4,000 ton converted collier. On the bows were fitted eleven machine guns. Sally ports had been cut in the hull to allow the men to run down gangways onto barges and then onto the beach itself.
River Clyde, a 4,000 ton converted collier. On the bows were fitted eleven machine guns. Sally ports had been cut in the hull to allow the men to run down gangways onto barges and then onto the beach itself.
The 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles And
Famous Irish Regiments
the 29th division
Two very interesting photographs of the River Clyde. The remarkable photograph above actually shows the ship approaching V Beach, with barges alongside. For such a photograh to be taken, the Turkish machine guns have remained silent unti the ship was run around.
This is a great detailed photograph of the ship, after the battle. The holes in the side of the ship from which the Munster Fusiliers, the Dublin Fusiliers and the Hampshires emerged can clearly be seen. Also the exposed gangways running alongise the ship down to the barge can also be seen. These would have been blocked with dead and wounded men, and made slippery by the blood of comrades. If the men were lucky enough to make it to the barge below, they then ran down the gangway which can be seen at the front of the barge leading into the water. The other option was to jump over the side and no doubt drown. One can only imagine the slaughter as enemy machine guns and rifles trained on the exit doors of the ship. They must have been incredibly brave men. The heavily sand-bagged positions protecting the machine guns can also be seen on the bow of the ship.
The ship held 2,000 men; the 1st Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers plus two companies of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Hampshire Regiment ( from the 88th Brigade ) and one company of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The tows containing the Dublinners came in at 6am. All appeared lifeless following the bombardment.
Suddenly the enemy guns which had been silent opened with a muderous fire catching three companies of the Dublin Fusiliers crammed into cutters towed by sailors, heading for shore on either side of the collier. They were perfect targets; the Turks could not miss and the sea was red with blood. Among the horrendous casualties the Dublins lost Colonel Rooth shot dead; Major Featherstonhaugh, second-in-command, was mortally wounded in his boat and Captain Anderson was shot dead on the beach. Many memoirs and letters were written home to families about the terrible experience. Sergeant J. Colgan of the 1st Dublin Fusiliers writes in a letter to his wife from the Royal Naval Hospital, in Mata, where he had been sent after being wounded:
I received 3 wounds, 2 only scratches . . . nearly everyone you knew is killed, both sergeants and privates. All the ' Heals ' wer killed including Father Finn by ' Heals ' he meant the Medics . .
There were 32 in my boat and 6 escaped alive . . Then came the job to swim with the pack, and one leg useless . . .bullets whipping around . . .
There were 32 in my boat and 6 escaped alive . . Then came the job to swim with the pack, and one leg useless . . .bullets whipping around . . .
Father Finn Coglan was the Catholic chaplain of the 86th Brigade. Though urged to stay aboard the River Clyde, he insisted on going on shore with his soldiers. " The priest's place is beside the dying soldier. " Sadly he was killed as soon as he landed. A few brave Dubliners reached the shore. Meanwhile the Munsters on the River Clyde watched the slaughter of the Dublins and the difficulties of Captain Unwin's sailors who, amid Turkish fire, were trying to place the barges into position for the troops to walk on to the shore, some of the Munsters helping in this exposed task.
