More about Marjorie Robertson

Marjorie Robertson was also known as Margaret Robertson and family relatives lived at 360 Hilltown, Dundee. In February 1917 she was on passage from New York to Glasgow onboard the SS California when the ship was torpedoed by the German submarine U-85 off the North West Coast of Ireland. She is buried in the Innishbofin Island Cemetery, County Galway, Eire. Forty three were lost in the sinking. There is an article in the Dundee Courier on 10 February 1917. Marjorie was born in Dundee around 1892, She emigrated to America and was returning home as a passenger on board the S.S. CALIFORNIA; Owned by the Anchor Line and built in 1907 by D. & W. Henderson & Co.; 8,662 tons; 470×58.3×34 ft.; 827 n.h.p.; 15 knots; triple-expansion engine.

On February 7th, 1917, S/S California with 205 crew and passengers on board, was ending her voyage from New York to Glasgow, when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-85, 38 miles W by S of Fastnet.

The torpedo hit her stern and she sank in 7 minutes. Most of the 43 who died were killed in the explosion and some drowned as their lifeboat capsized. The captain went down with his ship but miraculously managed to gain the surface and was rescued.

The sinking of the California came just one week after Germany lifted her ban on unrestricted submarine warfare on 1 February 1917.