If the CHASSERAL was carrying only clocks and watches what sort of quantities are we talking about to make up a worthwhile cargo ? I think that there is more to this than meets the eye given that Lisbon was the centre for espionage used by all combatants and that by this time in World War II many on the Axis side knew what was looming on their immediate horizon. What (or who) else was she carrying ? Possibly also bearing in mind that Vichy only had four more months before the German occupation. Regards Colin Colin Boyd Documentation Assistant Collections and Exhibitions Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Tel: 0191 2772177 Fax: 0191 2302614 Email: colin.boyd@twmuseums.org.uk R ead Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' new blog, and get involved with our social media, games and digital projects here - http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/engage/ Leader of the North East Regional Museums Hub Our mission is to help people determine their place in the world and define their identities, so enhancing their self-respect and respect for others. Find out more at: www.twmuseums.org.uk 2009 North East Public Sector Organisation of the year. v.1TWAM From: mariners-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:mariners-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Gordon Evans Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 10:40 PM To: mariners@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MAR] Re CHASSERAL Vichy of course crossed my mind, particularly since following the April 1944 incident the CHASSERAL's crew were rescued by the German navy, and the wounded vessel was towed into port by German auxiliary ships. Begging the oft-asked question - just how 'neutral' were the Swiss during WWII? :-) Regards Gordon From: <AndyCAdams@aol.com> To: <mariners@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 9:57 PM Subject: [MAR] Re CHASSERAL >I can remember being told in the 1960's, when I think the Swiss had at >least six ocean going ships, that the officers were almost wholly French. >Back to the profile; 1941 in Vichy France, a ship sails from a Vichy port >with French officers and probably French crew to Lisbon, a hotbed of >espionage for both the Germans and the Allies. Bears some thought. >Rgds >Andy Adams ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINERS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify your IT department. All incoming and outgoing email are monitored for compliance with Tyne and Wear Museums email, Internet and security policy. This email has been swept by MIMEsweeper.