More about Samuel Broadhurst

Samuel Broadhurst   Royal Navy

DUNDEE LEADING SEAMAN ON THE ABOUKIR

IS PICKED UP BY THE LOWESTOFT.

  “Safe. —Sam.”

These words, which constituted the whole of a telegram sent from Chotleygate, allayed the fears of a Dundee women who had experienced many anxious hours after the announcement of the British disaster.

The party to whom these joyful words were addressed is Mrs Samuel Broadhurst, 4 Rosefield Street, whose husband was a leading seaman on the cruiser Aboukir.  The couple were married only about nine months ago—last Hogmanay.  Leading Seaman Broadhurst, who hails from Manchester, is 28 years of age.  He came to Dundee with H.M.S. Vulcan.  Some time ago he was transferred to Portsmouth for further training, and in August he went to the Aboukir for manoeuvres, and was retained there on the outbreak of hostilities.

Great was the anxiety, therefore, when it became known to Mrs Broadhurst that the Aboukir had been sunk, and when at length a telegram did arrive it was with the gravest fears that it was opened.  The telegram contained only two words, but they brought instant relief.  Later a message was received from the Admiralty informing Mrs Broadhurst that her husband had been saved by the Lowestoft.

Dundee Courier 25th September 1914

ABOUKIR’S CREW SING COMIC SONGS WHILE IN THE WATER.

DUNDEE SURVIVOR WANTS SOME OF HIS OWN BACK.

“They have given us a wet shirt.  It is our turn to give them one now.”

This was the statement made to the “Courier” by Leading Seaman Torpedoman Samuel Broadhurst, of H.M.S. Aboukir, who resides at 4 Rosefield Street, Dundee, and who has come home on ten days’ leave.

When interviewed Mr Broadhurst said :–” You can’t go through a war without a scratch.”  He was asleep in his bunk when the Aboukir was struck.  On hearing the loud crash, he went on deck, but from the calm way in which everybody was going about their business one would have imagined that nothing had happened.  The order was given to fall in, and while standing at attention the men began to see that something was wrong.  It was the general opinion that the ship had struck a mine or that there had been a boiler explosion.

When the Aboukir began to settle down and Captain Drummond saw that the ship was doomed, he gave the order, “every man for himself,” and the next minute Broadhurst found himself struggling in the water.  He swam for a piece of timber, which he held on to.

Sank Like a Log.

“Then the Aboukir heeled over and sank like a log,” said Mr Broadhurst.  “It’s a long way to Tipperary,” was sung with great zest by men struggling in the water, and at the finish of the chorus one voice was heard to say, “Aye, this is a long way “right enough,” while another man struck up with a knowing smile, “we’ve got to get under.”

“Each man acted like a man,” continued Mr Broadhurst, “and as for the officers, they were cool and collected.

“Before the ship went down, we saw the Hogue and Cressy steaming to our assistance.  They had just lowered their boats when they were both struck twice.  Their crews were the next minute seen in the water, for these vessels went down within a very short time.”

Mr Broadhurst has no idea of how long he was in the water, but he was thankful when he saw two trawlers coming to their assistance.  The trawler which picked up Mr Broadhurst up saved 160 men.

When asked if he were going back Mr Broadhurst exclaimed with great enthusiasm, “You bet, I want some of my own back.  “And,” he added, “Germany will rue the day she made war with Britain.”

Mr Broadhurst who belongs to Manchester, was married last Hogmanay.

Dundee Courier 28th September 1914