HMT Bega
HMT Bega. (Adty No 923) 18/06/1917
Displacement: 318grt, grt.
Length: 3 m. Beam: 6 m. Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: 8 officers and men.
Men Lost: 7
Armament: 1 x 12pdr
Displacement: 318grt, grt.
Length: 3 m. Beam: 6 m. Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: 8 officers and men.
Men Lost: 7
Armament: 1 x 12pdr
Steel Steam Trawler Built in 1914 by J. Duthie Torry SB. Co., Aberdeen.
Operated by the New Docks Steam Trawling Co from Fleetwood and registered FD.233.
The Loss
HMT Bega left Lerwick on the 18th June to join a unit, led by HMY Mingary to escort a convoy of six steamers that were heading for the White Sea.
The escort consisted of HMY Mingary, HMTBD Griffon, HMT Bega, HMT Strathclunie and HMT Auckland. The convoy was to be escorted to a position 50 miles north of the parallel of Muckle Flugga. The convoy was proceeding north at an average speed of 8 knots.
The escort consisted of HMY Mingary, HMTBD Griffon, HMT Bega, HMT Strathclunie and HMT Auckland. The convoy was to be escorted to a position 50 miles north of the parallel of Muckle Flugga. The convoy was proceeding north at an average speed of 8 knots.
Convoy plan ADM 137/3298
At 10.40,when at position 61 36N 00 35W, HMT Bega was struck by a torpedo on her port side and sank immediately. HMY Mingary was the nearest vessel and proceeded to where HMT Bega had sunk and picked up 9 survivors including the commanding officer Lt. J. Martyn, RNR.
A search was conducted in the vicinity for the U Boat but nothing was seen.
HMT Bega had been torpedoed by U-58 (Peter Hermann)
A search was conducted in the vicinity for the U Boat but nothing was seen.
HMT Bega had been torpedoed by U-58 (Peter Hermann)
Crew Lost †18/06/1917
Name - COSTELLO, Patrick (39),
DOB - 16th March 1881
Place of Birth -Swinford, Mayo
Parents -
Early History - Husband of Margaret Costello, of 17, Flag St., Fleetwood,
Rank - Trimmer (no. 1347TS) RNR,
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Fleetwood Chronicle - Friday 29 June 1917
Another Fleetwood man who lost his life through the same casualty was Patrick Costello, of Flag-street, who was employed as a trimmer. He was 38 years of age and leaves a widow and four children. Prior to joining the Navy, be was employed as a bricklayer's labourer by Messrs. J. W. Mason and son. of Milton street, Fleetwood
DOB - 16th March 1881
Place of Birth -Swinford, Mayo
Parents -
Early History - Husband of Margaret Costello, of 17, Flag St., Fleetwood,
Rank - Trimmer (no. 1347TS) RNR,
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Fleetwood Chronicle - Friday 29 June 1917
Another Fleetwood man who lost his life through the same casualty was Patrick Costello, of Flag-street, who was employed as a trimmer. He was 38 years of age and leaves a widow and four children. Prior to joining the Navy, be was employed as a bricklayer's labourer by Messrs. J. W. Mason and son. of Milton street, Fleetwood
Sources:
BT 377/7/111269
BT 377/7/111269
Name - HARVEY, George Robert ,
DOB - 26th October 1897
Place of Birth -Firth, North Kirkwall
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 6649TS) ,RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 26th October 1897
Place of Birth -Firth, North Kirkwall
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 6649TS) ,RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/116566
BT 377/7/116566
Name - MACLEOD, Finlay (20),
DOB - November 1896
Place of Birth - Raernish
Parents - Son of Roderick and Dolina Macleod, of 46, Ranish, Lochs, Stornoway, Ross-shire,
Early History -
Rank - Seaman (no. 7786A), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - November 1896
Place of Birth - Raernish
Parents - Son of Roderick and Dolina Macleod, of 46, Ranish, Lochs, Stornoway, Ross-shire,
Early History -
Rank - Seaman (no. 7786A), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/7796
BT 377/7/7796
Name - THOMSON. Laurence,
DOB - 7 July 1886
Place of Birth -Aithsetter, Cunningsburgh, Shetland
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Seaman, RNR, B 4188
Service History -
DOB - 7 July 1886
Place of Birth -Aithsetter, Cunningsburgh, Shetland
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Seaman, RNR, B 4188
Service History -
Sources:
BT 377/7/26508
BT 377/7/26508
Name - WILLIAMSON, Alfred ,
DOB - 1st November 1885
Place of Birth - Hull
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 4083DA), ,RNR ,
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 1st November 1885
Place of Birth - Hull
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 4083DA), ,RNR ,
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/50557
BT 377/7/50557
Name - WITTUP, Harry (20),
DOB - 11th January 1897
Place of Birth - Whitby, Yorkshire
Parents - Son of William and Elizabeth Wittup, of Tin Ghaut, Grape Lane, Whitby, Yorks,
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 2133SD), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Whitby Gazette - Friday 29 June 1917
Seaman HARRY WITTUP.
Official information has been received Mr. and Mrs. Wittup, Tin Ghaut, , that their youngest son. Seaman Harry VVittup, Royal Naval Reserve (Trawler Section) was lost at sea on June 18th. He joined the Blue Service two years ago, prior to which he served messroom steward on the Whitby steamer Erlesburgh (Messrs. Rowland and Harwood's Steamship Co., Ltd.), and was 20 years of age. He was home on leave seven weeks ago.
DOB - 11th January 1897
Place of Birth - Whitby, Yorkshire
Parents - Son of William and Elizabeth Wittup, of Tin Ghaut, Grape Lane, Whitby, Yorks,
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 2133SD), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Whitby Gazette - Friday 29 June 1917
Seaman HARRY WITTUP.
Official information has been received Mr. and Mrs. Wittup, Tin Ghaut, , that their youngest son. Seaman Harry VVittup, Royal Naval Reserve (Trawler Section) was lost at sea on June 18th. He joined the Blue Service two years ago, prior to which he served messroom steward on the Whitby steamer Erlesburgh (Messrs. Rowland and Harwood's Steamship Co., Ltd.), and was 20 years of age. He was home on leave seven weeks ago.
Sources:
BT 377/7/94603
BT 377/7/94603
Name - WRIGHT, Thomas (24),
DOB - 25th May 1893
Place of Birth - Fleetwood, Lancashire
Parents - Son of James and Alice Wright, of 57, Kemp St., Fleetwood, Lancs,
Early History -
Rank - Second Hand (no. 1978DA), RNR,
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Fleetwood Chronicle - Friday 29 June 1917
Mr. and Mrs. James Wright of 78, Warren Street have been notified by the Admiralty that their only son, Thomas Wright, was blown up and killed whilst engaged on patrol work on June 18th. Deceased was mate on the trawler. He recently obtained his mate's ticket, and this was the first time he sailed on the ill-fated boat. Previous to joining the Navy, he sailed out of Fleetwood in the smacks. Deceased was 24 years of age.
DOB - 25th May 1893
Place of Birth - Fleetwood, Lancashire
Parents - Son of James and Alice Wright, of 57, Kemp St., Fleetwood, Lancs,
Early History -
Rank - Second Hand (no. 1978DA), RNR,
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Fleetwood Chronicle - Friday 29 June 1917
Mr. and Mrs. James Wright of 78, Warren Street have been notified by the Admiralty that their only son, Thomas Wright, was blown up and killed whilst engaged on patrol work on June 18th. Deceased was mate on the trawler. He recently obtained his mate's ticket, and this was the first time he sailed on the ill-fated boat. Previous to joining the Navy, he sailed out of Fleetwood in the smacks. Deceased was 24 years of age.
Sources:
BT 377/7/48453
BT 377/7/48453
Survivors
Lt. J. Martyn, RNR saved.
William Moore, Chief Engineer. R.N.R. (T)
John Johnson, 2nd Hand R.N.R (T)
