John Law (1923 – 2009)

December 22nd, 2009 by JCB
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John Law (1923 – 2009)

Retired Manchester Ship Canal pilot John Law died on 10 April 2009 aged 86.

Born in Manchester, John, and his twin brother Eric, grew up in Ireland. During WW2 they both joined the Merchant Navy. Tragically, Eric was killed when his ship was torpedoed whereas John went on to serve in every major theatre of maritime operations. He survived his ship being torpedoed off the Canadian coast and was ferrying ammunition from Sydney into the Pacific, when the war ended.

After a few more years at sea, John joined the Manchester Ship Canal, quickly working his way up to being a first class pilot. It was a job he loved and one that he did for 35 years before retiring in 1985.

Away from ‘the job’ he built and sailed yachts. The first was a 24 foot Eventide which served as a holiday home for his growing family; a wife and three children.

His second was a 38 foot ferro cement yacht. Its completion was a remarkable accomplishment given that the method of construction was virtually unknown in the UK plus it was completed without the use of power tools. He spent many seasons sailing ‘El Lobo’ to Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia and the Med.

But sailing was just one facet of an energetic man who was able to do anything he turned his mind to. He played the guitar, painted well, built and operated model aircraft & model train sets and took on construction projects ranging from fireplaces to house extensions.

He continued to sail until his late seventies but mobility problems eventually forced him to sell his beloved yacht. He accompanied his family on trips on the French canals, but it was no substitute for deeper waters.

John passed away peacefully after a short illness. He is sadly missed by his wife Maureen, his children (John, also a MSC pilot, Mitch and Carol) as well as other family and friends.

John law’s first hand account of the sinking of the SS Fort Camosun along with details of the ship and the Japanese submarine that torpedoed it click here.

John Law’s full life story can be read here.