San Demetrio London

The story

Based on the true story of the 1940 rescue of the tanker MV San Demetrio by parts of her own crew after she had been set afire in the middle of the Atlantic by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer and then had been abandoned. When one of the lifeboats drifted back to the burning tanker the day after, and found that she still hadn't exploded, they decided to board her and put out the fires. Eventually, they managed to start the engine again and decided to try to reach Britain against all odds.

Cast & crew

Walter FitzgeraldChief Engineer Charles Pollard - M.V. San Demetrio

Ralph Michael2nd. Officer Hawkins - M.V. San Demetrio

Neville Mapp

Neville Mapp3rd. Engineer Willey - M.V. San Demetrio

Barry LettsApprentice John Jones - M.V. San Demetrio

Frederick PiperBoatswain W.E. Fletcher - M.V. San Demetrio

Gordon JacksonMessboy John Jamieson - M.V. San Demetrio

Robert Beatty'Yank' Preston - M.V. San Demetrio

Mervyn JohnsGreaser John Boyle - M.V. San Demetrio

James DonaldGunnery Officer - H.M.S. Jervis Bay

Nigel Clarke

Nigel ClarkeR.J.E Dodds - Shipping Manager

Arthur YoungCaptain George Waite - M.V. San Demetrio

Michael Allen

Michael AllenCadet Roy Housden - M.V. San Demetrio