William George Edwards
William George Edwards (1882-1915)
1916 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM GEORGE EDWARDS was born in Liverpool on 8th November 1882, and was educated at schools in the same city.
In 1897 he was apprenticed for five years to the firm of Arrowsmith, Sinclair and Co., Liverpool, and continued his technical studies in the meanwhile.
On the completion of his apprenticeship in 1902, he went to sea as engineer, working his way upwards and taking the First Class Board of Trade Certificate in 1906.
In June 1909 he was appointed second engineer in the S.S. "Aguila,," of the Yeoward Line; and, after an interval of three months spent in a former ship, the "Ardeola," he resumed work in the "Aguila " as first engineer, in May_1912.
On the afternoon of 27th March 1915, the "Aguila" was sunk between Liverpool and Fishguard by the German submarine U 28. While the boats were being launched the submarine opened fire, killing several of the passengers and crew. Mr. Edwards remained at his post till the last, ordering off his second engineer to save himself. Just before the last boat left he was seen on deck wounded in the head; after the boat had left, the captain, finding him missing, wished to put back, but was forbidden by the commander of the submarine, who launched a torpedo at the "Aguila," sinking her almost immediately. He lost his life thus at the age of thirty-two.
He was elected an Associate Member of this Institution in 1914.