I am 80 now and living in Texas but I was a 6 year old Brit living in Hong Kong when Amethyst steamed slowly into port. The waterfront was lined with hundreds of people to cheer her in. I still have some memory of that day. I recall seeing all the black holes and charred structures as she came in slowly. Wow! 74 years ago.
UK I'm just a youngster, mate, but it's nice to know someone else has seen what our little island has done in the past. To be honest, like you, we have dropped a few glangers.
I had the great pleasure of meeting a boy sailor who served on HMS London during the rescue attempt. He had set up his stand in the Maritime Museum. It was fascinating listening to this old proud sailor recount his experiences. He talked about he loss of some of his shipmates. I had a very interesting time with him
Another great story by a great storyteller. Thank you very much. I would love to support you but I am retired living on a poverty level pension in deep social isolation in a Hillbilly Hell Realm and UToob presentations are about the only voices I hear for days at a time. But I can comment and like ... and I do like your work. Cheers!
Thanks for that Chris. A very different story to the movie. I remember watching the movie as a boy. It was, and still is, one of my favourite black and white "Sunday afternoon " movies along with "Ice cold in Alex". Being a big cat lover, I was so pleased to hear the bits about Simon too. Perhaps one day, would it be possible to give a few "mentions" of Dickin medal recipients? I hope so. Keep up the good work Chris.
Inspiring. HMS Amethyst encapsulates the resilient spirit and courage of the RN and all the British Armed Forces. And Simon seems to have drawn his inspiration from the British lion and did his best to emulate one. As a boy growing up in the States, The Yangtze Incident was one of my favorite movies. I can also appreciate the Chinese point of view in that the Yangtze was their river and a foreign warship was on it. Indeed, long ago even my own country fired on British ships when they were in our rivers.
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment. Yes, you certainly can appreciate the Chinese point of view. I know how Brookes would feel about French ships travelling up our rivers
"I can also appreciate the Chinese point of view in that the Yangtze was their river and a foreign warship was on it." But were they given any official warnings that they would be fired upon? Given that they first thought it was an artillery duel with the Chinese nationalists, i think not. So These Chinese just started shooting at a ship of a foreign nation they are not at war with, without even having challenged/warned it first to leave their river? This means that i do not appreciate the Chinese point of view, not one bit.
factually wrong, the PLA has signaled the ship before firing on it. As a matter of fact, the Communists had publicly announced that the Yangtze would be a flash point and had warned all foreign military vessels should stay away from the proximity. The French and US warships complied but only the stupid and arrogant British defied and therefore had to accept the dire consequence. The Chinese never forget what atrocities the British did in 1840s and 1850s in China. They used this incident to embark on a ferocious revenge
uh... a foreign warship in FOREIGN territory without any permission to be there the first place is wrong - especially in a country that is at civil war where lawlessness was rife. regardless at war or not, you can't just roll up anywhere in a military vessel and not expect a reaction. do you see the US steaming in their carrier group into Russian Waters just coz why not? you're deluded my old friend. you also missed the part they were warned not to transverse the Yangtze further downstream or risk fire, which they arrogantly ignored. @@mystikmind2005
Thanks for the story. The incident is probably the most forgotten military action of the Royal Navy in the post war years, maybe on a par with the Yemen emergency. Not least due to the British government’s desire to appease PR China in the past decades. This incident was interesting mentioned for once in 1982 at Hong Kong, when the Press discovered that the incoming Hong Kong Governor Sir Edward Youde was actually a secretary at UK’s Nanking embassy in 1949 providing diplomatic effort in an attempt to secure a non military solution to the crisis and bought some time for the ship planning for the escape. Youde got a MBE for his efforts.
I was living in the New Territories of the colony when that night I saw the military plane carrying Sir Youde's body fly overhead going South. Radio Hong Kong previously announced the time of the plane's arrival, so I knew that was the plane.
One of my favourite films. I am 59 years old now in 2024. Well told history and very close to the film depiction of events. My favourite bit in the film is at the end - when Amethyst and Concord run past each other at dawn, just as Amethyst is finally safe, with the sailors on each ship cheering and waving at each other. I am not sure if Concord's understated signal to Amethyst " fancy meeting you again " is factual but it always brings a tear to my eye (gulp). Thank you.😮
That was brilliant. The movie is one of my top twenty and this didn't spoil it. What would we have done without Richard Todd? Now I will have to watch it again.
The PDSA pet cemetery in Ilford is my local PDSA and I've had numerous animals treated and sadly put to sleep there. Next time I go I must visit the cemetery and find Simon's grave. Thanks for that one Chris. It was very interesting.
Since the opium wars, British war ships roamed all the major rivers inside China.This incident put a stop to this practice. Unfortunately, the big picture was not mentioned in the video.
The navigation training simulators at HMS Collingwood are named Amethyst, Consort, London and Black Swan, and the blood-stained chart from Amethyst’s escape adorns the wall outside. There are models of each ship with the history of the incident told, including a little Simon curled-up. I have read about this incident many times whilst waiting for many assessments in the simulators throughout my career. An excellent video about an incident that the RN has not forgotten.
Wow. Great video. I haven't seen the film "Yangtse Incident" in decades. I have to try to find it online. Thanks so much for filling in the backstories of the gallant men and cat.
My father was a RM Commando in WW2 & worked on the dockyard passenger boats afterwards. He told me how, soon after Amethyst arrived back at Devonport, a Chinese official visited Plymouth and was presented to the watching crowd from the guildhall balcony. This infuriated the numerous sailors in the crowd who climbed the stonework onto the balcony in order to get their hands on the official. He was quickly whisked away with the wrath of the sailors, many of whom had friends and colleagues on Amethyst, not far behind him!
Another great video. To go off at a slight tangent I was lucky enough to go to Arromanches in 2012 for the 68th anniversary of D-Day with a group of D-Day / Normandy Veterans, one of whom was Lewis Trinder who told me that he was on HMS Magpie on D-Day and that they were the first allied ship there waiting for the invasion fleet, (hopefully I've remembered that correctly) and I believe that it was HMS Magpie that played the Amythist in the film.
My husband was one of the boys from HMS Ganges who were extras in the film, and we always had to watch it on tv for his few seconds of fame when he was filmed !!
Very kind of you. Thanks for your support. Please sign up for my weekly history newsletter so you don’t miss any future episodes.www.thehistorychap.com
Fantastic production. Never knew about Simon. The fact Simon had been on board for so long, was his natural quarantine and should've been his entry visa to the UK. He had a great adventure though.
Another interesting story well told thanks.... hearing about Simon (who looks remarkably like my cat Charlie) reminded me of (as far as I know) the only dog to join the Royal Navy. His name was "Just Nuisance" and has a statue in Simonstown South Africa, he was no hero like Simon but his story is quite interesting never the less .... perhaps another topic for you Chris?
@@TheHistoryChap Ill drop a line, but the story is told in song on SEA DOG- SEE DOG by Tom Lewis. The story is quite hilarious not just the song, but Toms comments as he is singing it.
Thanks for this Chris, I am in my mid seventies now but I remember hearing a radio story when I was in my teens about the Amethyst and it has always stayed with me. I believe there is also a story on how the crew that were put ashore managed to escape from China
Another great video, Chris. As we all know, movies of true events and actions should always be taken with a big grain of salt. However, whenever I watch a movie like this, I appreciate the story while accepting the probable license taken by the producers. I have watched many movies about true events, as you probably have, and after I watch the movie, I try to find out what really happened. In the past, that search has tapped into my other passion, reading. Thank you, Chris.
My pleasure, I’m glad you enjoyed it. If you enjoy British and military history please do sign up for my free weekly newsletter at www.thehistorychap.com
Chris my chap I never know that I wanted to learn that until today! Your ending is just philosopical, thank for this history and of course the cat. Ludwig
Another fantastic video, I have the movie on DVD, but it was great to hear the about the incident in greater detail. Huge fan of your work and I look forward to your next video
I assume you read, "The Sand Pebbles." EPIC BOOK. The movie includes a 19 year old Candice Bergen and Richard Attenborough playing a blue collar American sailor. Now, I know it is a different story but the book was written by a chap who severed on a Yagtze river gunboat. The detail is incredible. He is also an engineer and I could feel for him and his view of the engine noise and wanting to fix the engine. Now, I need to watch your post. :-) After my work meetings....
@@ingerlander In 1958 (age 28) Steve McQueen played a teenagers in the movie "The Blob." It is comical b/c the police in the movie keeps calling him a teenager. This always stuck in craw b/c he was 10 years past high school He was likely 35 when "The Sand Pebbles" was filmed.
A great film, my grandfather was a marine engineer serving on the Atlantic run from Canada during WWII. He would explain to me as a child how a steam engine worked as we watched the film.
Always loved The Story ! Captures The Essence of The Royal Navy as my late father and many friends fathers knew it,not to mention many men I met growing up. Real People, who had experienced life,however nasty,though were always cheerfull.@@TheHistoryChap
Here's a future vid idea - HMS Truculent 1942-1950. The end wasn't exactly our finest hour, but it's an interesting tale. A friend of my Dad's, who I also met, was Frank Mossman, one of the few survivors.
The Royal Navy Navigation Assessment simulators are named London and Consort. In the antechamber between them is the original bloodstained chart of the Yangtze from amethyst and little fake stuffed Simon. People stroke him for luck.
This was very interesting the film was quite true to the real story by the sounds of it, poor Simon dying in quarantine I understand the whole ships company attended his funeral as he was a official member of the crew thanks again.
@@TheHistoryChap Honestly, saying that the Chinese Civil War was turning in the direction of the Communists is an understatement. At that point, they’ve practically crippled the Kuomintang’s “crack” troops and have a lot of commanders on the other side willing to rebel once they cross the Yangzi River. Nanjing and Nanking has always been the same thing, just like how old papers called Beijing: “Peking”.
I was -11 years old when HMS Amethyst had to fight its way down the 'Yangsi Kiang' . The BBC ran an almost continuous story of the events in a most exciting word saga, including the heroic ships cat,. Everybody was discussing the event which was well reported and finally ended the way all good British war stories should. The BBC reporting, I remember, was not to be missed by anyone I knew and there was concern about the crew and ship including the ships cat, but knew then they would come through as the Royal Navy always does
Thought Yangtze Incident was filmed in England, didn't know where but. There was a a Norton or Hortan [memorys not what it used to be] who was also a British actor. Keep up the good work bloke.
Thanks for that, ! its something I did not know. People do not realise the number of R N Ships built on The Clyde or indeed the number of Scots who served in The Navy. They think The Army, and Scottish Regiments ! First saw the film in 1968,fifteen at the time,loved it. Late father was an East Coast Convoy veteran from Devonport,The R N,dumped him on the Clyde eventually,where he met my mum. He told me they were in George Square Glasgow at the time one day, when some Red Clydesiders chanted ' we salute The Red Army.' This did not go down well with some Glasgow R N veterans or the Glasgow Polis,many of whom were ex R N themselves. Same sort of guys ' Mad Mitch.' took into Crater in Aden. Real Scots ! Some Reds got arrested,most got ' A Glasgow a Kiss,' on the nut from the veterans. Dad apparently ( not involved in the fracas), walked away grinning,Mum gave him a slap. Changed Days ! In the light of Recent Events.
My father's cousin was on the first ship, to attempt the rescue. My father had been in the Atlantic convoys himself during the war . Subsequently my cousins husband was on the conquerer ,in the Falkland war. By a strange quirk of fate I actually worked with his opposite CPO from the other crew many years later.
A great re-telling of one of the Royal Navy's less well known exploits. Stories like this, of individual heroism in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, are the stuff of legend and runs through the DNA of the RN, from Drake, through Nelson, Collingwood and Beattie right through to the present day. Rule Britannia!
This is an interesting story set against the backdrop of the fading light of Britains huge empire. It illustrates the professionalism of all Royal Navy personal to a man, or in this case cat. Good show all round. You can see how these men kept our island safe and secure throughout our greatest periods of peril. What a wonderful legacy for todays Royal Navy.
Yet another good one. Any chance of covering the Insect Class gunboats...? Just read "Armed with Stings - The Saga of a Gunboat Flotilla" by Cecil H Hampshire.
Way to go, Simon, honorable Sea Cat! He earned his honored place in British history, I wonder if he could have been knighted? Sir Simon 🐈 😻? LOL I am glad to have learned the real story of the brave sailors and officers who served with distinction. I am sad to learn Simon did not survive, vaya con Dios y en paz descansen.
Harry, as the British love their animals so much. I was almost tempted to make the story about Simon with supporting roles for the sailors and the ship!
@TheHistoryChap I think that would have been a wonderful idea. Simon, the cat with his hardy and trusty British sailors, maybe a musical like HMS Pinefore? 👍 LOL 😆
I was aboard the next RN warship to sail up the Yangtse to Shanghai. That ship was HMS Antrim. This occurred in 1980. HMS Coventry was in company. Both these Destroyers were attacked in the Falklands war less than 2 years later with the loss of Coventry.
Great video but no mention of Edward Youde (later Sir). Wikipedia notes that “using his skills in Mandarin, Youde negotiated with the PLA commander to ask for the release of the Amethyst. His negotiations came to nought, but gave the enough time for the Amethyst to plan a successful escape to Hong Kong.” He was awarded an MBE for his actions. He became Governor of Hong Kong in 1982, where I was living at the time. He was well liked by the people of Hong Kong and the mainland representatives because of his Mandarin capabilities and his ‘kindly demeanour’. He sadly died on a duty visit to Beijing in 1986. Even today there are several institutions in Hong Kong named after him and his wife Pamela. If you do an update of this video it would be nice if you could make reference to this lovely gentleman whose negotiation skills with the the Chinese government continued until his death.
My Great Uncle was Victor Maskell MIA. (Body never found)... During Ww2 my uncle was a steward in the RN.... He then re enlisted into the RN as a stoker on board HMS Amethyst. Many years later my father found out from an other crewman, he was shot while swimming to shore.
I’ve just found your wonderful video which I enjoyed, my dad took me to see the film as a youngster and I have watched it often on T.V. My dad served on the escort destroyer H.M.S. Icarus from March 1941 to February 1944 when he was transferred to the R.N. Police in Glasgow. He told me that John Simon Kerans was at one time second in command of Icarus. In the 1990’s I posted on the news group called uk.local.yorkshire and on a get together mentioned to another member about my dad’s connection to John Simon Kerans and H.M.S. Amethyst. His dad was a young German and close to the end of the war was posted to a U-Boat, his captain was not a fanatic and decided the war was lost, he sailed round the top of Scotland into the Irish Sea, did a dummy run on a passing ship and surrendered to the first R. N. ship he found which happened to be captained by John Simon Kerans.
I have in my possession a silver plated EPNS A1 tankard, inscribed, THE YOEMAN FROM H.M.S. "AMETHYST". It is stamped on the underside with the supplier, or manufacturer's name: ROBINSONS & CO LTD SINGAPORE KUALA LUMPUR. No date or personal ID. I bought the relic at auction about 20 years ago.
I was crazy about the Amethyst March, from the movie. Aged 13 then. I note today that Ballard Berkely was an officer in the crew....more recently the major in Fawlty Towers!
I am 80 now and living in Texas but I was a 6 year old Brit living in Hong Kong when Amethyst steamed slowly into port. The waterfront was lined with hundreds of people to cheer her in. I still have some memory of that day. I recall seeing all the black holes and charred structures as she came in slowly. Wow! 74 years ago.
UK I'm just a youngster, mate, but it's nice to know someone else has seen what our little island has done in the past. To be honest, like you, we have dropped a few glangers.
props
my uncle, Lawrence Earl, wrote the book, Yangtze Incident.
Have you read Gweilo
My father then a Lt Commander was on HMS London which had been sent as one of the ships sent to meet the Amethyst when she got to the open sea.
HMS London gets a few mentions in this video.
My Uncle was a junior officer on the London at that time.
I had the great pleasure of meeting a boy sailor who served on HMS London during the rescue attempt. He had set up his stand in the Maritime Museum. It was fascinating listening to this old proud sailor recount his experiences. He talked about he loss of some of his shipmates. I had a very interesting time with him
@@michaeldryden463908j
O9
The film was shot on the river orewell in suffolk👍
Thanks for this. My late dad was a 17 year old on HMS Concord during this incident, and I much appreciate seeing some more details about it.
Always a learning curve Chris,thank you.❤
Thank you for this story. Although l'm Army orientated this story has fascinated me for years after watching the film several times. Thanks Chris.
As my dad was in the army, I tend to be army orientated as well. Yet there are many amazing stories from both Royal Navy and the RAF too.
Another great story by a great storyteller. Thank you very much. I would love to support you but I am retired living on a poverty level pension in deep social isolation in a Hillbilly Hell Realm and UToob presentations are about the only voices I hear for days at a time. But I can comment and like ... and I do like your work. Cheers!
The bit that got me most from the film was, 'HMS Amethyst has rejoined the fleet". 😅
Thanks for that Chris. A very different story to the movie. I remember watching the movie as a boy. It was, and still is, one of my favourite black and white "Sunday afternoon " movies along with "Ice cold in Alex". Being a big cat lover, I was so pleased to hear the bits about Simon too. Perhaps one day, would it be possible to give a few "mentions" of Dickin medal recipients? I hope so. Keep up the good work Chris.
Great idea.
Thank you for this video, great story, and it's true 👍
Excellent story, loved the story about Jack French, i was a merchant navy R/O and cant imagine having the amount of traffic he had to deal with.
Glad you enjoyed it. He deserved his medal.
One of my favourite films. Thanks for covering this great story Chris.
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it.
Inspiring. HMS Amethyst encapsulates the resilient spirit and courage of the RN and all the British Armed Forces. And Simon seems to have drawn his inspiration from the British lion and did his best to emulate one. As a boy growing up in the States, The Yangtze Incident was one of my favorite movies. I can also appreciate the Chinese point of view in that the Yangtze was their river and a foreign warship was on it. Indeed, long ago even my own country fired on British ships when they were in our rivers.
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment. Yes, you certainly can appreciate the Chinese point of view. I know how Brookes would feel about French ships travelling up our rivers
"I can also appreciate the Chinese point of view in that the Yangtze was their river and a foreign warship was on it." But were they given any official warnings that they would be fired upon? Given that they first thought it was an artillery duel with the Chinese nationalists, i think not. So These Chinese just started shooting at a ship of a foreign nation they are not at war with, without even having challenged/warned it first to leave their river? This means that i do not appreciate the Chinese point of view, not one bit.
factually wrong, the PLA has signaled the ship before firing on it. As a matter of fact, the Communists had publicly announced that the Yangtze would be a flash point and had warned all foreign military vessels should stay away from the proximity. The French and US warships complied but only the stupid and arrogant British defied and therefore had to accept the dire consequence. The Chinese never forget what atrocities the British did in 1840s and 1850s in China. They used this incident to embark on a ferocious revenge
⁰😅o90😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅you will 😅@@mystikmind2005
uh... a foreign warship in FOREIGN territory without any permission to be there the first place is wrong - especially in a country that is at civil war where lawlessness was rife. regardless at war or not, you can't just roll up anywhere in a military vessel and not expect a reaction. do you see the US steaming in their carrier group into Russian Waters just coz why not? you're deluded my old friend. you also missed the part they were warned not to transverse the Yangtze further downstream or risk fire, which they arrogantly ignored. @@mystikmind2005
Thanks for the story. The incident is probably the most forgotten military action of the Royal Navy in the post war years, maybe on a par with the Yemen emergency. Not least due to the British government’s desire to appease PR China in the past decades. This incident was interesting mentioned for once in 1982 at Hong Kong, when the Press discovered that the incoming Hong Kong Governor Sir Edward Youde was actually a secretary at UK’s Nanking embassy in 1949 providing diplomatic effort in an attempt to secure a non military solution to the crisis and bought some time for the ship planning for the escape. Youde got a MBE for his efforts.
I was living in the New Territories of the colony when that night I saw the military plane carrying Sir Youde's body fly overhead going South. Radio Hong Kong previously announced the time of the plane's arrival, so I knew that was the plane.
Great video! I'm from the US 🇺🇲 and love history as well as 🇬🇧 History! The movie was fantastic as well! Cheers🍻
One of my favourite films. I am 59 years old now in 2024. Well told history and very close to the film depiction of events. My favourite bit in the film is at the end - when Amethyst and Concord run past each other at dawn, just as Amethyst is finally safe, with the sailors on each ship cheering and waving at each other. I am not sure if Concord's understated signal to Amethyst " fancy meeting you again " is factual but it always brings a tear to my eye (gulp). Thank you.😮
Thanks for watching my video & for the feedback.
That was brilliant. The movie is one of my top twenty and this didn't spoil it. What would we have done without Richard Todd? Now I will have to watch it again.
The PDSA pet cemetery in Ilford is my local PDSA and I've had numerous animals treated and sadly put to sleep there. Next time I go I must visit the cemetery and find Simon's grave. Thanks for that one Chris. It was very interesting.
Thank you for sharing
Since the opium wars, British war ships roamed all the major rivers inside China.This incident put a stop to this practice. Unfortunately, the big picture was not mentioned in the video.
Look at the title it was about a specific incident not the bigger picture. Always room for you to produce your own video
The navigation training simulators at HMS Collingwood are named Amethyst, Consort, London and Black Swan, and the blood-stained chart from Amethyst’s escape adorns the wall outside. There are models of each ship with the history of the incident told, including a little Simon curled-up. I have read about this incident many times whilst waiting for many assessments in the simulators throughout my career. An excellent video about an incident that the RN has not forgotten.
thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback
Wow. Great video. I haven't seen the film "Yangtse Incident" in decades. I have to try to find it online. Thanks so much for filling in the backstories of the gallant men and cat.
It’s been shown a few times on Talking Pictures
A great piece of Naval History superbly told. Best history channel on RUclips. Thanks!
Very kind of you, thanks.
My father was a RM Commando in WW2 & worked on the dockyard passenger boats afterwards. He told me how, soon after Amethyst arrived back at Devonport, a Chinese official visited Plymouth and was presented to the watching crowd from the guildhall balcony. This infuriated the numerous sailors in the crowd who climbed the stonework onto the balcony in order to get their hands on the official. He was quickly whisked away with the wrath of the sailors, many of whom had friends and colleagues on Amethyst, not far behind him!
Marvellous work as always sir, your enthusiasm and your research as always is faultless. Keep up the great work
Another great video. To go off at a slight tangent I was lucky enough to go to Arromanches in 2012 for the 68th anniversary of D-Day with a group of D-Day / Normandy Veterans, one of whom was Lewis Trinder who told me that he was on HMS Magpie on D-Day and that they were the first allied ship there waiting for the invasion fleet, (hopefully I've remembered that correctly) and I believe that it was HMS Magpie that played the Amythist in the film.
You are absolutely correct about HMS Magpie. She played the parts when the ship was moving in the film.
My husband was one of the boys from HMS Ganges who were extras in the film, and we always had to watch it on tv for his few seconds of fame when he was filmed !!
Fame at last!
It's not so much the story, it's the way you tell it. Thumbs up to that.
Very kind of you. Thanks for your support. Please sign up for my weekly history newsletter so you don’t miss any future episodes.www.thehistorychap.com
Fantastic production. Never knew about Simon. The fact Simon had been on board for so long, was his natural quarantine and should've been his entry visa to the UK. He had a great adventure though.
Thanks for watching my video (sorry they are so late)/
Hi Chris, another excellent documentary! Thanks a lot!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. Please considering supporting my work by joining my member's channel or becoming a patron.
Another interesting story well told thanks.... hearing about Simon (who looks remarkably like my cat Charlie) reminded me of (as far as I know) the only dog to join the Royal Navy. His name was "Just Nuisance" and has a statue in Simonstown South Africa, he was no hero like Simon but his story is quite interesting never the less .... perhaps another topic for you Chris?
Tom Lewis a former RN PO and a shanty man, sings of Bunts a dog on board his LST.
Tom Lewis has a tale about Bunts. A Leading Signal dog who lost his rate after an unfortunate incident involving a poodle in Cannes.
@@josephturner7569 It was a "French Afgan hound" In the story and song.
I'm always up for new topics...tell me more (if it is a long sotry please drop me a line via my website: www.thehistorychap.com
@@TheHistoryChap Ill drop a line, but the story is told in song on SEA DOG- SEE DOG by Tom Lewis. The story is quite hilarious not just the song, but Toms comments as he is singing it.
A great story and insight into a little known post WWII battle, WELL DONE.
Thank you, I will be covering another forgotten story soon - the Malayan emergency
Well done Sir!! I would love to see you do a video about the 1900 Boxer rebellion!
Brilliantly told! Added much to what I previously knew. Most enjoyable,thanks.
Brilliant Job
My late father served on HMS Black Swan during the incident.
Still have in my possession his Yangtze Medal .
Thank you so much for watching my video, and for taking the time to post a comment too
Thanks for this Chris, I am in my mid seventies now but I remember hearing a radio story when I was in my teens about the Amethyst and it has always stayed with me. I believe there is also a story on how the crew that were put ashore managed to escape from China
Thank you for taking the time to watch and also to comment. Much appreciated.
Another great video, Chris. As we all know, movies of true events and actions should always be taken with a big grain of salt. However, whenever I watch a movie like this, I appreciate the story while accepting the probable license taken by the producers. I have watched many movies about true events, as you probably have, and after I watch the movie, I try to find out what really happened. In the past, that search has tapped into my other passion, reading. Thank you, Chris.
My pleasure, I’m glad you enjoyed it. If you enjoy British and military history please do sign up for my free weekly newsletter at www.thehistorychap.com
Chris my chap I never know that I wanted to learn that until today! Your ending is just philosopical, thank for this history and of course the cat. Ludwig
Thank you Ludwig, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Please considering supporting my work by joining my member's channel or becoming a patron.
Another fantastic video, I have the movie on DVD, but it was great to hear the about the incident in greater detail. Huge fan of your work and I look forward to your next video
Coming soon, Agincourt, Waterloo and Jutland
What a nail biting story! Thanks again Chris.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching
Another excellent piece Chris, well done !
Thank you for your support
I assume you read, "The Sand Pebbles." EPIC BOOK. The movie includes a 19 year old Candice Bergen and Richard Attenborough playing a blue collar American sailor. Now, I know it is a different story but the book was written by a chap who severed on a Yagtze river gunboat. The detail is incredible. He is also an engineer and I could feel for him and his view of the engine noise and wanting to fix the engine. Now, I need to watch your post. :-) After my work meetings....
I hope it is a welcome relaxation after work.
EXCELLENT BOOK AND MOVIE 🎥😁
And let us not forget a very young Steve McQueen
@@ingerlander In 1958 (age 28) Steve McQueen played a teenagers in the movie "The Blob." It is comical b/c the police in the movie keeps calling him a teenager. This always stuck in craw b/c he was 10 years past high school He was likely 35 when "The Sand Pebbles" was filmed.
A great film, my grandfather was a marine engineer serving on the Atlantic run from Canada during WWII. He would explain to me as a child how a steam engine worked as we watched the film.
You are great! NO matter what else is going on in the wolrld, The History Chap makes it better.🙂
That's very kind of you. Glad you found interesting.
Please considering supporting my work by joining my member's channel or becoming a patron.
An absolutely ripping tale and very well told 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Always loved The Story ! Captures The Essence of The Royal Navy as my late father and many friends fathers knew it,not to mention many men I met growing up. Real People, who had experienced life,however nasty,though were always cheerfull.@@TheHistoryChap
Here's a future vid idea - HMS Truculent 1942-1950. The end wasn't exactly our finest hour, but it's an interesting tale. A friend of my Dad's, who I also met, was Frank Mossman, one of the few survivors.
The Royal Navy Navigation Assessment simulators are named London and Consort. In the antechamber between them is the original bloodstained chart of the Yangtze from amethyst and little fake stuffed Simon. People stroke him for luck.
Great story. Glad history lives on. Thanks for sharing.
I hadn't heard of this before it's fascinating, thanks for the upload.
Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent video as always, thank you.
Thanks
Thanks for your support
Thank you so very much,I have waited so long for this
Hope you like it!
Simon, the hero we need
Simon was a strayed cat picked up in Hong Kong. It spoke Chinese, not English !
Fantastic storytelling Mr Green, as usual! Think you may have heard that sentence before.😅 Thanks!
Very kind of you, thanks for watching.Please considering supporting my work by joining my member's channel or becoming a patron.
thank you. that was another good one
Glad you enjoyed it
Fantastic Story Well Told!!!
Awesome movie. Thanks for the documentary on the history behind it.
Looking forward to watching the movie now 👍
It’s still a good one
@@TheHistoryChap i like the old ones the best anyway 😊
I saw the movie on TV in the late 1970s. Criterion collection on Public TV IIRC. Thanks for more details.
Thank you ; for this fascinating heroic story. 🇺🇸🙏🏻🇬🇧
Many years ago I read the book by that name.
Britain and the Royal Navy at their finest.
When the Mao expelled the Royal Navy from chinese waters forever
One heck of a story, with plenty of good and fascinating information to go with it.
Blimey, Nathan, that must be your shortest comment ever!
Thanks for your support.
You're Welcome
Damn good story. Have seen the film many years ago and would like to refresh it again. All right to get a lesson in fine Chris style!👍👍👍
Excellent documentary
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Great story & was a great film! Also the film had Kenneth Cope, of Randall & Hopkirk.
Thanks for watching
"Herrings in, i like the tomato sauce"
I served on the newest(now also gone) HMS London so feel part of the crew for all London shipmates. Once a Matelot, always a Matelot.
Absolutely love the film and this is the icing on the cake.
I’m glad you enjoyed it
This was very interesting the film was quite true to the real story by the sounds of it, poor Simon dying in quarantine I understand the whole ships company attended his funeral as he was a official member of the crew thanks again.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
@@TheHistoryChap Honestly, saying that the Chinese Civil War was turning in the direction of the Communists is an understatement. At that point, they’ve practically crippled the Kuomintang’s “crack” troops and have a lot of commanders on the other side willing to rebel once they cross the Yangzi River. Nanjing and Nanking has always been the same thing, just like how old papers called Beijing: “Peking”.
Excellent film and an equally excellent vid
Many thanks.
I was -11 years old when HMS Amethyst had to fight its way down the 'Yangsi Kiang' . The BBC ran an almost continuous story of the events in a most exciting word saga, including the heroic ships cat,. Everybody was discussing the event which was well reported and finally ended the way all good British war stories should. The BBC reporting, I remember, was not to be missed by anyone I knew and there was concern about the crew and ship including the ships cat, but knew then they would come through as the Royal Navy always does
Amazing and awesome history of the British military.
Entertaining and informative, as always. Excellent job! I watched the movie "The Yangtse Incident" free on RUclips. great movie BTW.
Good one as usual Chris.
Many thanks
Thought Yangtze Incident was filmed in England, didn't know where but. There was a a Norton or Hortan [memorys not what it used to be] who was also a British actor. Keep up the good work bloke.
Thanks for watching my video.
Fabulous film and story, I made a tribute to Simon a few years ago I think i called it Simon of the amethyst
Another great story Chris
Thank you for watching
EXCELLENT! WELL DONE SIR!
Great story and very interesting, thank you and stay well.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Great narrative... Keep up the good work.
Will do. Thanks for watching.
Thanks!
Thanks for your generosity. Much appreciated.
A brilliant video
Thank you. have a great weekend.
Thank you for your work.
It’s my pleasure, thanks for your support
Fun Fact: My grandad was a shipbuilder on HMS Amethyst, built at Port Glasgow, on the Clyde!
I love the way, the golden thread of History can access to events in the past
Thanks for that, ! its something I did not know. People do not realise the number of R N Ships built on The Clyde or indeed the number of Scots who served in The Navy. They think The Army, and Scottish Regiments !
First saw the film in 1968,fifteen at the time,loved it.
Late father was an East Coast Convoy veteran from Devonport,The R N,dumped him on the Clyde eventually,where he met my mum. He told me they were in George Square Glasgow at the time one day, when some Red Clydesiders chanted ' we salute The Red Army.' This did not go down well with some Glasgow R N veterans or the Glasgow Polis,many of whom were ex R N themselves. Same sort of guys ' Mad Mitch.' took into Crater in Aden. Real Scots !
Some Reds got arrested,most got ' A Glasgow a Kiss,' on the nut from the veterans.
Dad apparently ( not involved in the fracas), walked away grinning,Mum gave him a slap. Changed Days ! In the light of Recent Events.
BIG SALUTE TO THE"AMETHYST"-AND HER BRAVE CREW !--AND SPECIAL SALUTE,-TO "SIMON"-THE SHIPS CAT !--JOB WELL DONE !
Brilliant video thank you
What an enjoyable video
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
My father's cousin was on the first ship, to attempt the rescue. My father had been in the Atlantic convoys himself during the war . Subsequently my cousins husband was on the conquerer ,in the Falkland war. By a strange quirk of fate I actually worked with his opposite CPO from the other crew many years later.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share
Very Nice - Thank You !
😎👍
My pleasure
A great re-telling of one of the Royal Navy's less well known exploits. Stories like this, of individual heroism in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, are the stuff of legend and runs through the DNA of the RN, from Drake, through Nelson, Collingwood and Beattie right through to the present day. Rule Britannia!
DNA of the RN that put a passenger ship in danger?
This is an interesting story set against the backdrop of the fading light of Britains huge empire. It illustrates the professionalism of all Royal Navy personal to a man, or in this case cat. Good show all round. You can see how these men kept our island safe and secure throughout our greatest periods of peril. What a wonderful legacy for todays Royal Navy.
Many thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment
Yet another good one. Any chance of covering the Insect Class gunboats...? Just read "Armed with Stings - The Saga of a Gunboat Flotilla" by Cecil H Hampshire.
I really enjoyed this video content! Thanks.
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment
Way to go, Simon, honorable Sea Cat! He earned his honored place in British history, I wonder if he could have been knighted? Sir Simon 🐈 😻? LOL I am glad to have learned the real story of the brave sailors and officers who served with distinction. I am sad to learn Simon did not survive, vaya con Dios y en paz descansen.
Harry, as the British love their animals so much. I was almost tempted to make the story about Simon with supporting roles for the sailors and the ship!
@TheHistoryChap I think that would have been a wonderful idea. Simon, the cat with his hardy and trusty British sailors, maybe a musical like HMS Pinefore? 👍 LOL 😆
I was aboard the next RN warship to sail up the Yangtse to Shanghai. That ship was HMS Antrim. This occurred in 1980. HMS Coventry was in company. Both these Destroyers were attacked in the Falklands war less than 2 years later with the loss of Coventry.
Fascinating story. Thanks so much for sharing.
Another great subject - chapeau !
Simon looks a bit like my Tuxedo Viola! Thanks Chris.
Great video but no mention of Edward Youde (later Sir). Wikipedia notes that “using his skills in Mandarin, Youde negotiated with the PLA commander to ask for the release of the Amethyst. His negotiations came to nought, but gave the enough time for the Amethyst to plan a successful escape to Hong Kong.” He was awarded an MBE for his actions.
He became Governor of Hong Kong in 1982, where I was living at the time. He was well liked by the people of Hong Kong and the mainland representatives because of his Mandarin capabilities and his ‘kindly demeanour’. He sadly died on a duty visit to Beijing in 1986. Even today there are several institutions in Hong Kong named after him and his wife Pamela.
If you do an update of this video it would be nice if you could make reference to this lovely gentleman whose negotiation skills with the the Chinese government continued until his death.
I happened to see the military plane fly overhead with Sir Youde on board passing above my home in the New Territories.
Fantastic ✌️
You are quite the story teller.
Very kind of you, thanks
My Great Uncle was Victor Maskell MIA. (Body never found)...
During Ww2 my uncle was a steward in the RN.... He then re enlisted into the RN as a stoker on board HMS Amethyst.
Many years later my father found out from an other crewman, he was shot while swimming to shore.
Thank you for sharing your poignant family story. Respect
I’ve just found your wonderful video which I enjoyed, my dad took me to see the film as a youngster and I have watched it often on T.V.
My dad served on the escort destroyer H.M.S. Icarus from March 1941 to February 1944 when he was transferred to the R.N. Police in Glasgow.
He told me that John Simon Kerans was at one time second in command of Icarus.
In the 1990’s I posted on the news group called uk.local.yorkshire and on a get together mentioned to another member about my dad’s connection to John Simon Kerans and H.M.S. Amethyst.
His dad was a young German and close to the end of the war was posted to a U-Boat, his captain was not a fanatic and decided the war was lost, he sailed round the top of Scotland into the Irish Sea, did a dummy run on a passing ship and surrendered to the first R. N. ship he found which happened to be captained by John Simon Kerans.
What an amazing story thank you so much for sharing. Appreciated.
Petty I know but The Royal Navy go to action stations,the American navy to battle stations, that said, terrific video can't wait for the next
Thanks for your observation, and also for your continuing support
excellent story thank you
I have in my possession a silver plated EPNS A1 tankard, inscribed, THE YOEMAN FROM H.M.S. "AMETHYST". It is stamped on the underside with the supplier, or manufacturer's name: ROBINSONS & CO LTD SINGAPORE KUALA LUMPUR.
No date or personal ID. I bought the relic at auction about 20 years ago.
What a great purchase and piece of history
Great account from another era
Thanks for watching my video. If you haven't already, please subscribe to my video channel so that you don't miss future videos.
'Yangtze Incident ' is a very good film.
I was crazy about the Amethyst March, from the movie. Aged 13 then. I note today that Ballard Berkely was an officer in the crew....more recently the major in Fawlty Towers!
Thanks for sharing.