HMS Avenger
HMS Avenger. 14/06/1917
Displacement: 14,744 grt.
Length: 167 m. Beam: 21 m. Draught: 10.4 m.
Propulsion: 2 x steam turbines, dual shaft, 2 screws
Complement: officers and men.
Men Lost: 1
Armament: 8 x 6 inch guns & 2 x 3pdr guns,
Displacement: 14,744 grt.
Length: 167 m. Beam: 21 m. Draught: 10.4 m.
Propulsion: 2 x steam turbines, dual shaft, 2 screws
Complement: officers and men.
Men Lost: 1
Armament: 8 x 6 inch guns & 2 x 3pdr guns,
HMS Avenger was built by the Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd and launched in 1916. Originally laid down and launched as the SS Aotearoa for the Union Steamship Co of New Zealand.
Avenger was taken over by the Admiralty and converted into an Armed Auxiliary Cruiser HMS Avenger and joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron.
Avenger was taken over by the Admiralty and converted into an Armed Auxiliary Cruiser HMS Avenger and joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron.
The Loss
On the 14th June 1917 HMS Avenger was struck by a torpedo fired by U 69 (Kapitänleutnant Ernst Wilhelms) while returning to Shetland to refuel.
HMS Avenger sinking.
U 69s Chart showing route and sinking's including HMS Avenger.
The Scotsman - Saturday 16 June 1917
ARMED MERCHANT CRUISER SUNK ,
ALL ON BOARD SAVED BUT ONE .
The Admiralty announces : — H.M. armed merchant cruiser Avenger ( Captain Arthur Lashby , R.N. ) was torpedoed in the North Sea . during the night of the 13th-14th and subsequently sank . All the ship ' s company and officers were saved with the exception of one man killed by the explosion .
Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser - Tuesday 19 June 1917
MERCHANT CRUISER SUNK. The Admiralty announces the loss of the merchant cruiser Avenger, which was torpedoed Wednesday night. All the crew were saved except one man.
ARMED MERCHANT CRUISER SUNK ,
ALL ON BOARD SAVED BUT ONE .
The Admiralty announces : — H.M. armed merchant cruiser Avenger ( Captain Arthur Lashby , R.N. ) was torpedoed in the North Sea . during the night of the 13th-14th and subsequently sank . All the ship ' s company and officers were saved with the exception of one man killed by the explosion .
Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser - Tuesday 19 June 1917
MERCHANT CRUISER SUNK. The Admiralty announces the loss of the merchant cruiser Avenger, which was torpedoed Wednesday night. All the crew were saved except one man.
The Wreck
The UKHO has no Wreck Card for HMS Avenger and to date the wreck has not been located.
Crew Casualty - Research Ongoing
Name -KERR, David
DOB - 1872
Place of Birth -
Parents -
Early History - Wife. Mrs Kerr. 37, Clyde St, Anderston, Glasgow.
Rank -Trimmer/Greaser. - 53753 A - MMR
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Daily Express - Monday 18 June 1917
H.M.S. AVENGER
KILLED
Kerr, David. Greaser, specially entered Mercantile Crew A55753.
Coventry Evening Telegraph - Monday 18 June 1917
The only man lost in the torpedoing of the armed merchant cruiser Avenger, whose loss was published .Saturday, was David Kerr, greaser. was killed by the explosion.
DOB - 1872
Place of Birth -
Parents -
Early History - Wife. Mrs Kerr. 37, Clyde St, Anderston, Glasgow.
Rank -Trimmer/Greaser. - 53753 A - MMR
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Daily Express - Monday 18 June 1917
H.M.S. AVENGER
KILLED
Kerr, David. Greaser, specially entered Mercantile Crew A55753.
Coventry Evening Telegraph - Monday 18 June 1917
The only man lost in the torpedoing of the armed merchant cruiser Avenger, whose loss was published .Saturday, was David Kerr, greaser. was killed by the explosion.
Survivors Stories
Northampton Mercury - Friday 22 June 1917
Mr. and Mrs. Auburn, 10, Argyle-street, St. James’, have received news that their son, Seaman G. Auburn, who was H.M.S. Avenger, torpedoed in the North Sea on Wednesday night, June 13, is safe. Before joining the Navy he worked for Messrs. C. and E. Lewis, and a large circle of friends will Le pleased to learn of his safety.
Mr. and Mrs. Auburn, 10, Argyle-street, St. James’, have received news that their son, Seaman G. Auburn, who was H.M.S. Avenger, torpedoed in the North Sea on Wednesday night, June 13, is safe. Before joining the Navy he worked for Messrs. C. and E. Lewis, and a large circle of friends will Le pleased to learn of his safety.
Port-Glasgow Express - Friday 01 November 1918
Port Boy Dies at Malta.
A SURVIVOR OF THE " AVENGER "
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Rags, 165 Kent Road, Glasgow, late of Port-Glasgow, have received official notice that their eldest son, Private James Ross, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, died at Royal Naval Hospital , Malta, on 14 t h October of pneumonia. Private Ross, who was 22 years of age, joined the service in 1914, and had been aboard ship throughout the war.
He was an H.M.S. Avenger when she was torpedoed about 18 months ago but was rescued after a trying experience. It is over twelve months since he was home on furlough. While resident in Part-Glasgow previous to the war, he was an apprentice blacksmith in Wm Hamilton & Co.'s Glen Yard, and was a member of the Balfour Street Congregational Church Choir. He was a bright premising young. lad, and the utmost sympathy will be felt, for the parents in their sad loss.
Port Boy Dies at Malta.
A SURVIVOR OF THE " AVENGER "
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Rags, 165 Kent Road, Glasgow, late of Port-Glasgow, have received official notice that their eldest son, Private James Ross, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, died at Royal Naval Hospital , Malta, on 14 t h October of pneumonia. Private Ross, who was 22 years of age, joined the service in 1914, and had been aboard ship throughout the war.
He was an H.M.S. Avenger when she was torpedoed about 18 months ago but was rescued after a trying experience. It is over twelve months since he was home on furlough. While resident in Part-Glasgow previous to the war, he was an apprentice blacksmith in Wm Hamilton & Co.'s Glen Yard, and was a member of the Balfour Street Congregational Church Choir. He was a bright premising young. lad, and the utmost sympathy will be felt, for the parents in their sad loss.
