New book tells story of US war hero buried in Derry City Cemetery

A new book capturing the amazing story of a US war hero who spent his final days in Derry during the First World War, is to be launched at the Tower Museum next month.

Local genealogist and author David Jenkins worked closely with Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Museums Services team to piece together Captain Erik Kokeritz’s remarkable story after hearing a bit about his exploits.

Captain Kokeritz’s heroics made headlines around the world during the war, but his story has mostly been forgotten, until the author uncovered his unmarked grave at Derry’s City Cemetery.

A Captain in the US Merchant Marines, Kokeritz took on the might of the German navy when he led a mission to deliver emergency supplies to assist the Allied war effort. In his way lay the German U-boat blockade that stretched around Britain Ireland and France.

This did not deter Captain Kokeritz from setting off from New York harbour on the 10th February, 1917 with two unarmed merchant ships, the SS Rochester and the SS Orleans, headed for Bordeaux in France.

An attack on the ships would have plunged the US into war, but his remarkable determination paid off, and he successfully completed his mission despite having a price of $10,000 placed on his head set by the German Kaiser himself.

The author discovered that the intrepid seafarer sadly died here in the city, after he and his crew were rescued by a British ship after the Rochester was hit by a torpedo in a later aid mission.

He navigated his lifeboat for five days through winter storms and high seas with 21 of his crew onboard before they were picked up off Tory Island.  He was buried in the City Cemetery on February 6, 1918 with full naval and military honours.

Now his bravery and leadership is celebrated in 'Captain Kokeritz; An American Hero' which chronicles Captain Kokeritz’s contribution to the war effort and pays tribute to his bravery and leadership.

Archivist with the Tower Museum, Bernadette Walsh, worked alongside author David Jenkins to shed more light on the story. “David approached myself and museum genealogist Brian Mitchell to see if he could find out more about Captain Kokeritz, which took us on a fascinating journey.

"Fortunately, a lot of his military activity was well documented in the press at the time and we were able to piece together more information about his final days spend here in the City.

“He was only 43 when he died, and despite his amazing contribution to the war effort, his grave remains without a headstone today.

"But David has done a wonderful job in capturing his remarkable story and ensuring that his heroic efforts won’t be forgotten. We will have some artefacts associated with him and the Rochester on show at the launch and we will hear from David himself as he retells the story of Captain Erik Kokeritz.”

Local author David Jenkins

The launch will take place in the Tower Museum at 12.30pm on November 11, with talks from the author David Jenkins and Facilitator with the International School for Peace Studies Nigel Hagon.

Admission to the event is free but booking is essential via the Tower Museum: 028 7137 2411 or tower@derrystrabane.com< mailto:tower@derrystrabane.com