MEDIACOM-RELEASE-SHELL-NEW-ZEALAND
Shell New Zealand Fulfills Dead Man's Wish To Be Buried At Sea
Shell New Zealand is honouring a Hamilton man's wish to be buried in the Caribbean where his ship sank during the
Second World War.
Hamilton man, Jack Nichol, who died last week at the age of 89, wrote to Shell seven years ago saying he had worked on a
Shell operated oil tanker, the San Fabian, which sank off the coast of Cuba in 1942.
The 13,000 tonne, UK registered ship was torpedoed by a German U- boat in the Jamaica Channel.
Mr Nichol, one of only six survivors from the ship, wanted to be buried with his crewmates who drowned.
Shell explained that it could assist if his wish was clearly specified in his last Will and Testament, arrangements,
which Mr Nichol duly made.
Last week, Mr Nichol's son contacted Shell to say that his father had died, and asked if the Company was still in a
position to assist.
Shell Oceania Corporate Communications Manager, Antonius Papaspiropoulos, said Shell was pleased to be able to fulfil Mr
Nichol's wish through the help of its international affiliates.
"We contacted colleagues in Shell Haiti, and within 72 hours made arrangements for the Master of the Shell oil tanker,
the Hatasia, to scatter Mr Nichol's ashes into the Jamaica Channel where the San Fabian went down. The exact
navigational references have been forwarded to us, and Mr Nichol will be accorded a dignified burial at sea as he had
wanted."
Mr Papaspiropoulos says the request is an unusual one for the Company, but one which Shell had no hesitation in
honouring.
"Shell assisted in providing and supplying fuel to allied troops during the Second World War, and that is why the Shell
tanker on which Mr Nichol served was sunk by a German U-Boat. We feel strongly that we should honour the wishes of a man
who served not only his company, but his country, so valiantly during the war effort."
ENDS