The Blockade Runner Lelia That Didn't-- Part 4: Arthur Sinclair's Body Identified By His Watch

The two boats from the Lelia still afloat made for the lightship Prince, some six miles away, but one was sunk when it struck the ship.    Only twelve survivors got aboard the lightship.  They were able to signal the tug boat Blazer, who, the next morning was able to alert the life boat crews and while going to the scene of the sinking towing Life Boat #1 was swamped and only four of the 11 on board survived.

It was another day before the Lelia's survivors could be gotten from the lightship.

On May 31st, the body of Commander Arthur Sinclair, CSN, was found by a fishing boat some ten miles out to sea.  "His skeletal remains were still clothed, even to his cravat held in place by a gold and agate pin.  His overcoat  was still buttoned up and he had retained his pocket watch in his breast pocket," reported the Fleetwood Chronicle.

Ironically, the watch had stopped at 4:10--  approximately the time that the Lelia sank and helped lead to the identification of the body.  Liverpool police determined it was the one he had bought in Liverpool for the considerable sum of 40 pounds.

The watch chain and ornaments were gifts to Sinclair from Mr. Robson, who also died that night.

--Old B-Runner