The Sinking of the Trusty Star - 10 June 1942
The official Navy Archive Photo
27th. January,1941
On Wednesday 10th.June, 1942, the drifter-Trusty Star, which was used as a mine sweeper since August 1941, hit a mine while she was minesweeping in the South-East of Malta and was sunk.
Among her crew there was Stoker 1st. Class, Carmelo Mifsud, my father, who was one of the survivors.
My father was never very keen to talk about this tragic day; it must have been too sad for him to remember his fellow mates who lost their lives on that day. However, one day, (and I do not remember how we came to talk about it) he told me that he was lucky he survived the explosion, “After my shift in the engine room was over, I went on deck for some fresh air.... A few minutes later the Trusty Star hit a German mine and sunk. The crew that replaced me in the engine room died with the explosion. “ This statement was followed by some moments of silence as we stared at each other while I waited for him to continue. However he did not utter another world and I felt I should not ask further. We never broached subject again after that day.
It has been my intention to set up this site ever since the day my father passed away at the age of 78 on 29 June, 1996. I dedicate this site as a tribute to him and all his mates who served on the Trusty Star, and all those who lost their lives to ensure the safety of ships entering and leaving the Grand Harbour of Malta.
Among her crew there was Stoker 1st. Class, Carmelo Mifsud, my father, who was one of the survivors.
My father was never very keen to talk about this tragic day; it must have been too sad for him to remember his fellow mates who lost their lives on that day. However, one day, (and I do not remember how we came to talk about it) he told me that he was lucky he survived the explosion, “After my shift in the engine room was over, I went on deck for some fresh air.... A few minutes later the Trusty Star hit a German mine and sunk. The crew that replaced me in the engine room died with the explosion. “ This statement was followed by some moments of silence as we stared at each other while I waited for him to continue. However he did not utter another world and I felt I should not ask further. We never broached subject again after that day.
It has been my intention to set up this site ever since the day my father passed away at the age of 78 on 29 June, 1996. I dedicate this site as a tribute to him and all his mates who served on the Trusty Star, and all those who lost their lives to ensure the safety of ships entering and leaving the Grand Harbour of Malta.