HISTORICALEIGH - The Gallant Galician

August 24, 2015 by Carole Mulroney

The Gallant Galician

The Union Castle liner Galician sailed from Cape Town on 28 July 1914 and after a few days received news of the outbreak of the war. Changing course, she came to the Canary Islands.

The German ship, Kaiser Wilhem der Grosse, had intercepted the radio messages, laid an ambush and the Galician was captured and ordered to follow the German cruiser. German officers later boarded Galician and dismantled the radio equipment, confiscated her papers, inspected the cargo and mustered the passengers and crew.

Two army officers were taken aboard the German ship as POWs, but otherwise relations were said to be quite cordial and Captain Day presented the Germans with cigarettes and tobacco in appreciation. The next day he received a message from the German commander saying ‘On account of your women and children I will not sink the ship. You are released. Bon Voyage’.

The Galician arrived back in London on 25 August.

The connection to Leigh is that the Captain of the Galician, Edward Weatherstone Day who had worked for the Union Castle line for many years, lived, at the time of the event, in Leigh. Sadly we don’t know where but as a sea captain we can surmise he lived close to the sea front – so does anyone know where – is his name in your house deeds?

Also on board was George Ferguson of Leigh a storekeeper who it is thought lived in Leighville Grove.