H.M.S. Grive
HMS Grive. 23/12/1917
Displacement: 2037 grt.
Length: 88.8m. Beam: 12.5 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion steam engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery: Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd. (Lilybank Foundry), Dundee
Complement: officers and men.
Crew Lost: 0
Armament: 2 x 4.7 inch
Displacement: 2037 grt.
Length: 88.8m. Beam: 12.5 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion steam engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery: Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd. (Lilybank Foundry), Dundee
Complement: officers and men.
Crew Lost: 0
Armament: 2 x 4.7 inch
SS Grive was built by the Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd. (Lilybank Foundry), Dundee in 1905 for General Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., London. Requisitioned by the Royal Navy as an Armed Boarding Vessel.
GSNC Cap badge
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General Steam Navigation Company House Flag.
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Dundee Evening Post - Thursday 23 March 1905
LAUNCH AT DUNDEE.
STEAMER FOR LONDON FIRM.
A launch took place this afternoon from Caledon Shipyard, Dundee. The vessel is a handsomely-modelled cargo and passenger steamer, the order for which was placed by the General Steam Navigation Company. Limited, London. With a gross tonnage of 1700, she is 301 feet in length, 41 feet beam, and 20 feet in depth. She is built to Lloyd's highest class, and has accommodation for 60 first-class and 22 second-class passengers. The passenger accommodation is of the finest de- scription, the First-class staterooms being placed amidships. The deck machinery is very com- plete, and the triple-expansion engines were constructed at Lilybank Foundry. As the vessel started down the ways she was named.
Dundee Weekly News - Saturday 09 December 1905
THE YEARS WORK
The details of the years work is as follows:
CALEDON SHIPBUILDING AND ENGINEERING CO, LTD. (CALEDON SHIPYARD).
LAUNCHED.
Grive (s.s.), 2037 tons—General Steam Navigation Co., London, owners.
LAUNCH AT DUNDEE.
STEAMER FOR LONDON FIRM.
A launch took place this afternoon from Caledon Shipyard, Dundee. The vessel is a handsomely-modelled cargo and passenger steamer, the order for which was placed by the General Steam Navigation Company. Limited, London. With a gross tonnage of 1700, she is 301 feet in length, 41 feet beam, and 20 feet in depth. She is built to Lloyd's highest class, and has accommodation for 60 first-class and 22 second-class passengers. The passenger accommodation is of the finest de- scription, the First-class staterooms being placed amidships. The deck machinery is very com- plete, and the triple-expansion engines were constructed at Lilybank Foundry. As the vessel started down the ways she was named.
Dundee Weekly News - Saturday 09 December 1905
THE YEARS WORK
The details of the years work is as follows:
CALEDON SHIPBUILDING AND ENGINEERING CO, LTD. (CALEDON SHIPYARD).
LAUNCHED.
Grive (s.s.), 2037 tons—General Steam Navigation Co., London, owners.
History
Fairplay - Thursday 21 June 1906
COLLISIONS REPORTED DURING THE WEEK.
June 13th. Vardoen, barque, and s.s. Grive, off Dover; former’s bows badly damaged.
Southwark and Bermondsey Recorder - Friday 16 October 1908
A THAMES COLLISION.
Dr. Waldo held an inquiry at Southwark on Tuesday into the circumstances attending the death of Percival Wellard Tinniss, aged 21. an able-bodied seaman, of 30, Locksley Street, Burdett Road, E., who died in Guy's Hospital on Saturday from the effects of a collision in the Thames off Shadwell Basin between the S.S "Grive" and the barge "Bee" on Wednesday. Capt. Harry Nichols, of the barge "Bee," said that at midday on Wednesday his barge was floating down the river, and and the steamer "Grive was steaming up. Outside Shadwell Basin the two vessels collided, tearing away his sails and upper gear, and an iron block swung round and struck the deceased.-Alfred Charles Avelay, master of the tug "John Mowlem." said that at the request of the captain or pilot of the "Grive" he brought deceased on his tug to London Bridge, and handed him over to the police, by whom he was taken to Guy's. The man was unconscious.-Dr. G. F. Symes, of Guy's, said that death was due to a fractured skull.-The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - Friday 19 November 1909
A DERBY GENTLEMAN DROWNED AT SEA.
HOW THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED.
In connection with the recent death of Mr. George Taylor, of Derby, who was drowned at sea whilst proceeding to Bordeaux, there has been sent to Derby a copy of the sworn statements made by witnesses to his Majesty's Consul at Bordeaux (Mr. R. McDonald).
George Chapman, licensed victualler, of 98, North- road, Brighton, and Alfred Charles Little, chauffeur, of Villa Norman, Cannes, fellow-passengers with deceased, said they were on the S.S. Grive going from London to Bordeaux, on October 26:h, and saw Mr. Taylor standing in the companion of the saloon. The ship gave a heavy lurch, which threw Mr. Taylor with great force against the ship's rails. He then turned completely over and fell into the sea. Lifebuoys were thrown out, the ship stopped, and the boat launched, but deceased sank before he could be reached. Although the ship cruised about for an hour, nothing more was seen of deceased.
Captain Wilson, master of the ship, said he was in his room at about 9.30 a.m., passing Ile d'Yen, when a cry of "Man overboard" was raised. Witness went on to the bridge, where the second mate was in charge. The latter had stopped the engines, and witness had them put full speed astern. The boat was put down, but nothing could be seen of deceased. Witness did not see Mr. Taylor fall overboard, but was talking to him only a few minutes previous to the accident. The ship's rail was 3ft. 5in. from the deck, but as deceased was about 5ft. 10in. in height, and being suddenly thrown heavily against the rail, probably overbalanced and fell into the water. Deceased joined the ship on October 23rd, and told witness that he had just recovered from a very severe illness, and had been ordered a trip to Bordeaux. Deceased suffered from sea sickness the first two days out, but had recovered before the accident, and was in good spirits, saying that he already could feel the benefit of the trip.
Frederick C. Poyser, the second mate, said he went on watch at about 8.15 a.m. on October 26th. At about 9.30 a.m., when, after a heavy lurch, there was a cry of "Man overboard," the ship was stopped, and the captain came on the bridge. Witness saw the deceased at breakfast, and he then seemed in good spirits. At the time of the accident the vessel was steaming at about 12 knots.
Albert Eriksen, an A.B. of the ship, who was on watch with the second mate, and Frank Warner, an A.B., who went in the boat, also gave corroborative evidence.
It should be added that there were other passengers thrown on the deck through the lurching of the ship, and the door of the companion way where the deceased was standing was four yards from the bulwark rail.
Exeter Flying Post - Saturday 23 April 1910
PASSING NOTES.
Some readers may be inclined to ask- what cargo did the Grive bring home from Bordeaux. Apart from wines it was a mixed one. Amongst it was a deal of indiarubber carefully packed in sacks destined to be immediately re-shipped by the next outgoing steamer to the United States. Further think of this and remember that at our slate quarries at Delabole, in Cornwall, and in many of those in Wales hundreds of the bread winners formerly regularly employed there are now out of work and their families reduced to the verge of starvation-we also brought several hundred tons of French blue slates. These have since been delivered in London, and, without paying a farthing by way of duty, sold at a price 25 per cent. less than slates can be produced in this country. So much for Free Trade!
HARRY HEMS.
COLLISIONS REPORTED DURING THE WEEK.
June 13th. Vardoen, barque, and s.s. Grive, off Dover; former’s bows badly damaged.
Southwark and Bermondsey Recorder - Friday 16 October 1908
A THAMES COLLISION.
Dr. Waldo held an inquiry at Southwark on Tuesday into the circumstances attending the death of Percival Wellard Tinniss, aged 21. an able-bodied seaman, of 30, Locksley Street, Burdett Road, E., who died in Guy's Hospital on Saturday from the effects of a collision in the Thames off Shadwell Basin between the S.S "Grive" and the barge "Bee" on Wednesday. Capt. Harry Nichols, of the barge "Bee," said that at midday on Wednesday his barge was floating down the river, and and the steamer "Grive was steaming up. Outside Shadwell Basin the two vessels collided, tearing away his sails and upper gear, and an iron block swung round and struck the deceased.-Alfred Charles Avelay, master of the tug "John Mowlem." said that at the request of the captain or pilot of the "Grive" he brought deceased on his tug to London Bridge, and handed him over to the police, by whom he was taken to Guy's. The man was unconscious.-Dr. G. F. Symes, of Guy's, said that death was due to a fractured skull.-The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - Friday 19 November 1909
A DERBY GENTLEMAN DROWNED AT SEA.
HOW THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED.
In connection with the recent death of Mr. George Taylor, of Derby, who was drowned at sea whilst proceeding to Bordeaux, there has been sent to Derby a copy of the sworn statements made by witnesses to his Majesty's Consul at Bordeaux (Mr. R. McDonald).
George Chapman, licensed victualler, of 98, North- road, Brighton, and Alfred Charles Little, chauffeur, of Villa Norman, Cannes, fellow-passengers with deceased, said they were on the S.S. Grive going from London to Bordeaux, on October 26:h, and saw Mr. Taylor standing in the companion of the saloon. The ship gave a heavy lurch, which threw Mr. Taylor with great force against the ship's rails. He then turned completely over and fell into the sea. Lifebuoys were thrown out, the ship stopped, and the boat launched, but deceased sank before he could be reached. Although the ship cruised about for an hour, nothing more was seen of deceased.
Captain Wilson, master of the ship, said he was in his room at about 9.30 a.m., passing Ile d'Yen, when a cry of "Man overboard" was raised. Witness went on to the bridge, where the second mate was in charge. The latter had stopped the engines, and witness had them put full speed astern. The boat was put down, but nothing could be seen of deceased. Witness did not see Mr. Taylor fall overboard, but was talking to him only a few minutes previous to the accident. The ship's rail was 3ft. 5in. from the deck, but as deceased was about 5ft. 10in. in height, and being suddenly thrown heavily against the rail, probably overbalanced and fell into the water. Deceased joined the ship on October 23rd, and told witness that he had just recovered from a very severe illness, and had been ordered a trip to Bordeaux. Deceased suffered from sea sickness the first two days out, but had recovered before the accident, and was in good spirits, saying that he already could feel the benefit of the trip.
Frederick C. Poyser, the second mate, said he went on watch at about 8.15 a.m. on October 26th. At about 9.30 a.m., when, after a heavy lurch, there was a cry of "Man overboard," the ship was stopped, and the captain came on the bridge. Witness saw the deceased at breakfast, and he then seemed in good spirits. At the time of the accident the vessel was steaming at about 12 knots.
Albert Eriksen, an A.B. of the ship, who was on watch with the second mate, and Frank Warner, an A.B., who went in the boat, also gave corroborative evidence.
It should be added that there were other passengers thrown on the deck through the lurching of the ship, and the door of the companion way where the deceased was standing was four yards from the bulwark rail.
Exeter Flying Post - Saturday 23 April 1910
PASSING NOTES.
Some readers may be inclined to ask- what cargo did the Grive bring home from Bordeaux. Apart from wines it was a mixed one. Amongst it was a deal of indiarubber carefully packed in sacks destined to be immediately re-shipped by the next outgoing steamer to the United States. Further think of this and remember that at our slate quarries at Delabole, in Cornwall, and in many of those in Wales hundreds of the bread winners formerly regularly employed there are now out of work and their families reduced to the verge of starvation-we also brought several hundred tons of French blue slates. These have since been delivered in London, and, without paying a farthing by way of duty, sold at a price 25 per cent. less than slates can be produced in this country. So much for Free Trade!
HARRY HEMS.
The Loss
Taken from evidence given in the Court of Enquiry into loss of HMS Grive -ADM137/3712.
On the 8th December 1917 HMS Grive was approaching Shetland having sailed from Murmansk, Russia with HM Yachts, HM trawlers and other Armed Boarding Vessels. At 1.25pm when five miles east of Bard Head, Bressay there was an explosion under the stern. No periscope was seen or torpedo track and it was unclear if the ship had been torpedoed or had struck a mine. Considerable damage had been done to the stern, steering gear, crew quarters were badly damaged, the stern post and propeller blown away.
Number 3 & 4 holds were flooding and HMS Grive was settling by the stern. The engine room was abandoned as engineers said nothing more could be done so all unnecessary crew left in the ships boats and were taken onboard HM trawlers.
HMT Sparrow and HMT Strathrye passed wires to HMS Grive and towed the vessel into Bressay Sound. The holds on Grive were packed with wood to allow ship to remain afloat if torpedoed. Once in Bressay Sound the tug Peewit took over the tow and the trawler Sir Mark Sykes tied alongside to help manoeuvre ship.
At 5.20pm HMS Grive was beached in Lerwick.
After some repairs it was decided to tow HMS Grive for dry dock. The tugs Pursuit, La Valleta, Peewit and HM Trawlers Saxon, Lord Lansdowne and Tenby Castle left Lerwick in calm weather but with poor weather forecast. The weather worsened as the boats approached Orkney and HMS Grive started taking on water. The tug La Valleta fouled her propeller with the tow rope and the tow became unmanageable. At some stage the Tug Peewit had become separated and could not be contacted to provide assistance.
Number 3 & 4 holds were flooding and HMS Grive was settling by the stern. The engine room was abandoned as engineers said nothing more could be done so all unnecessary crew left in the ships boats and were taken onboard HM trawlers.
HMT Sparrow and HMT Strathrye passed wires to HMS Grive and towed the vessel into Bressay Sound. The holds on Grive were packed with wood to allow ship to remain afloat if torpedoed. Once in Bressay Sound the tug Peewit took over the tow and the trawler Sir Mark Sykes tied alongside to help manoeuvre ship.
At 5.20pm HMS Grive was beached in Lerwick.
After some repairs it was decided to tow HMS Grive for dry dock. The tugs Pursuit, La Valleta, Peewit and HM Trawlers Saxon, Lord Lansdowne and Tenby Castle left Lerwick in calm weather but with poor weather forecast. The weather worsened as the boats approached Orkney and HMS Grive started taking on water. The tug La Valleta fouled her propeller with the tow rope and the tow became unmanageable. At some stage the Tug Peewit had become separated and could not be contacted to provide assistance.
Taken from KTB UC40.
UC40.
UC40.
Despite the uncertainty onboard HMS Grive on the 8th December as to the cause of the explosion it was a torpedo from UC40 (Kptlt Hermann Menzel ) that had done the damage. UC40 reports firing one torpedo and hit the ship in the stern. Menzel reports ship not sinking but unable to fire another torpedo due to the amount of vessels patrolling the area after the attack.
HM Tug Tenby Castle Log Book. 23rd December 1917.
Taken from logbook of HM Tug Tenby Castle ADM 53/62582.
Taken from logbook of HM Tug Tenby Castle ADM 53/62582.
''6.00pm Signal received from HMS Grive that vessel is sinking and the crew will abandon ship. Standing by to pick up boats. Picked up 18 men from one boat and continued to stand by ship in company with HMT Saxon and Lord Lansdowne & tugs Pursuit and La Valleta. HMS Grive sank. Received orders from HMS Saxon to proceed to Kirkwall with survivors.
Dennis Hd Lt House bore WSW dist. 3 miles''.
Western Daily Press - Tuesday 01 January 1918
NAVAL MISHAP. TWO MORE SHIPS TORPEDOED NINE LIVES LOST. PRESS ASSOCIATION WAR .SPECIAL LONDON,
Monday. The. Secretary the Admiralty announces:— HM. Mine Sweeping Sloop * Arbutus (Commander Charles H. Oxlade, R.D., R.N.R.) has foundered in very severe weather after being torpedoed. Her commander, one other officer and seven men are missing, and presumed drowned. All s the next-of-kin have be informed. H.M. Armed Boarding Steamer Grive (commander Stephen A. Pidgeon, R.D., R.N.R, has also been sunk in bad weather after being torpedoed. There were no casualties.
NAVAL MISHAP. TWO MORE SHIPS TORPEDOED NINE LIVES LOST. PRESS ASSOCIATION WAR .SPECIAL LONDON,
Monday. The. Secretary the Admiralty announces:— HM. Mine Sweeping Sloop * Arbutus (Commander Charles H. Oxlade, R.D., R.N.R.) has foundered in very severe weather after being torpedoed. Her commander, one other officer and seven men are missing, and presumed drowned. All s the next-of-kin have be informed. H.M. Armed Boarding Steamer Grive (commander Stephen A. Pidgeon, R.D., R.N.R, has also been sunk in bad weather after being torpedoed. There were no casualties.
The Wreck Today.
A wreck was located in 2001 in position 59°25,199'N 02°21,168'W, in 55m of water, by Netsurvey on the MV Anglian Monarch. In 2008 SULA Diving of Stromness established the identity as HMS Grive. This was achieved by analysis of the multi beam image matched against the ships plans, archive research, and obtaining a copy of the logbook of HMT Tenby Castle which gave the position of the sinking.
The wreck was first dived in 2010 by a group, which included Matt Outram & Richard Ayrton, diving off the Stromness boat MV Jean Elaine, skippered by Andy Cuthbertson.
The identify was confirmed later in 2010 when the bell was recovered.
MBES HMS Grive (UKHO/Netsurvey)
Photographs Courtesy of Richard Ayrton.
