On 20th July 1940, S.S. Troutpool, owned by Pool Shipping Co. Ltd. of Hartlepool, England, entered the harbour at Bangor, Co. Down. The steamer en route from Rosario, Argentina across the Atlantic to Glasgow, Scotland, carried 7,908 tonnes of grain.
In Bangor, Co. Down, Captain Muitt received instruction that S.S. Troutpool was to undergo degaussing. This procedure helped ships prevent activating electronic mines. After degaussing, the crew started the ship’s engines and swung to adjust their compass. At 1352 hrs, an acoustically activated mine detonated tearing through the bow of the steamship. Minutes later, a second mine detonated to the aft of the ship. Before realising the attack was from pre-laid mines, the Royal Navy dispatched anti-U-Boat patrols from Belfast and Larne, Co. Antrim.
There were many other ships in the bay at the time. Among them was a Dutch vessel M.S. Abbekerk. Their crew had dropped anchor, awaiting room to dock when the explosions tore through S.S. Troutpool. All ships in the vicinity dropped lifeboats to help out in the aftermath of the sinking.
Of those on board, 11 crew members died and 2 have graves in Bangor Cemetery, Bangor, Co. Down. A further 3 unknown members of the crew have graves in Movilla Cemetery, Newtownards, Co. Down.
Remembering the crew of S.S. Troutpool
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connell | Alexander | Boy | Killed aged 19 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
| Ali | Abdul | Fireman and Trimmer | Killed aged 39 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
| MacDougall | Donald Andrew | Ordinary Seaman | Killed aged 17 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
| McGrath | John | Able Seaman | Killed aged 53 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
| Awled | Mohamed | Fireman and Trimmer | Killed aged 40 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
| Ahmed | Demari Saleh | Fireman and Trimmer | Killed aged 41 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
| Murray | William George | Ordinary Seaman | Killed aged 25 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
| Ahmed | Shief | Fireman and Trimmer | Killed aged 46 years old. Buried in Bangor New Cemetery, Co. Down. |
| Beckett | Thomas Smith | Carpenter | Killed aged 32 years old. Buried in Bangor New Cemetery, Co. Down. |
| Caleb | Mucklele | Fireman and Trimmer | Killed aged 43 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
| McNeill | Donald | Able Seaman | Killed aged 41 years old. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. |
The wreck of the 1927 William Gray and Co. built steamship lies near the entrance of Bangor Harbour, visible from the Eisenhower Pier. Authorities destroyed much of the wreck with explosives as it was dangerous to other shipping in the area. The site is now popular with divers keen to explore a piece of Second World War history.