187 . James and I decided that we must literally heave the passengers aboard in the same way that we had hoisted them into the lifeboat six hours earlier. First to go was the six-month baby wrapped in a blanket and tossed to the sailors aboard Morden. Naturally, the 194 survivors placed extraordinary demands on the limited space and resources aboard a corvette designed to hold a crew of 77. As well as treating the injured and sick, Morden ’s crew shared their own rations with the survivors. They used makeshift baby bottles fashioned from Coke bottles and rubber gloves to feed the babies, and towels were employed as diapers. When Morden reached the nearest port, St. John’s, Newfoundland, on 25 October, only two pounds of food remained in the ship’s stores. Morden arrived to a hero’s welcome, and medical staff, ambulances, and transports awaited the survivors on the docks. The rescue was reported in the Vancouver Sun on 12 December: It’s with a glow of personal pride that British Columbians read today of the sea rescue of 194 men, women, and children by the Canadian corvette, Morden . For two of the Morden’s five officers are British Columbians. One is Vancouver-born Lieut. W. J. Barrett-Lennard, Jr., RCNVR, who has the important post of gunnery officer on the corvette. The other is Sub-Lieut. Ron K. J. Allerton, Penticton. Young BarrettLennard was studying hard in his father’s office for his final chartered accountant’s examination prior to deserting a desk for the hazards of the submarine infested Atlantic. He got his early education at Lord Roberts School in Vancouver’s West End and then went for three years to Brentwood College. After donning his navy uniform, he took his officer’s training at Royal Road’s Victoria, from where he graduated in August 1941. Lieut. Barrett-Lennard went to the Morden when she was brand new. “I believe she only made her maiden voyage sometime in May,” Mrs. W. J. Barrett-Lennard, Sr., told a Vancouver Sun reporter today. She said she thought her son had been with the corvette since the first. “I believe the Morden has made five trips altogether.” Awhile ago when the Morden, which incidentally is named after Morden, Man., was off Ireland, a British United Press correspondent was sent from Britain to interview the officers, and Canadian papers carried the story. Mrs. BarrettLennard admitted she was “very excited” today over the news of the thrilling rescue. “You see I feel as if I know all the boys. My son has written so much about them and sent me so many pictures. He took his camera along with him.” The celebrated rescue is commemorated by the War Museum of Canada in Ottawa. The Winnipeg II: On 22 March 1943, the SS City of Christchurch, part of convoy KMS.11G, was attacked off Portugal by a German Folker Wolfe bomber. The ship sank, but 102 passengers and crew were rescued by the Morden. The sinking SS City of Christchurch photographed from the Morden
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