HMT Benjamin Stevenson
Castle Class Admiralty Trawler
HMT Benjamin Stevenson. (No 3522) 18/08/1917
Displacement: 255 grt.
Length: 38.3 m. Beam: 7.1 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: officers and men.
Armament: Yes
Displacement: 255 grt.
Length: 38.3 m. Beam: 7.1 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: officers and men.
Armament: Yes
The steel Castle class Admiralty trawler built by Smith's Dock Co. Ltd. (South Bank), Middlesbrough in 1917.
The Loss
On the morning of 18th August 1917 HMT Benjamin Stevenson was to the east of Shetland on escort duty for an east bound convoy and then to pick up and escort a west bound convoy to Lerwick.
At 10.15 another escort trawler HMT Elise spotted an enemy submarine on the surface (U-55), in position 60 36N 1 43E, and engaged fire with her 6 pdr gun. The U boat immediately replied with fire from its deck gun. The U boat quickly got out of range of the trawlers gun but the trawler was still within range of the U Boats larger gun.
HMT Elise then steamed towards HMT Benjamin Stevenson who was 3 miles distant and had also engaged in fire with the U Boat.
After half an hour, at 10.45, the U Boat submerged.
HMT Benjamin Stevenson had been struck 3 times. The first and second projectiles having gone through the bulwark's starboard side aft and passing down through the deck and through the cabin and emerged, just above the waterline, on the port side.
The passage of the third projectile was doubtful but possibly entered the cabin below the waterline.
The trawler started to take water.
Both trawlers then set course for Bard Head steering S.87 deg.
At 11.30 HMT Benjamin Stevenson sent a message saying that vessel was in sinking condition and they would probably have to abandon ship. Both vessels changed course steaming NNW but at 12. 15 HMT Benjamin Stevenson stopped and the crew abandoned her and went aboard HMT Elise. The sinking trawler was then taken in tow but foundered at 14.05.
Source: ADM 137/3684 Report of Court of Enquiry into the loss of HM Trawler Benjamin Stevenson on 18th August 1917.
ADM 137/3300 Sinking of HM Trawler Benjamin Stevenson by gunfire from enemy submarine on 18/8/17
At 10.15 another escort trawler HMT Elise spotted an enemy submarine on the surface (U-55), in position 60 36N 1 43E, and engaged fire with her 6 pdr gun. The U boat immediately replied with fire from its deck gun. The U boat quickly got out of range of the trawlers gun but the trawler was still within range of the U Boats larger gun.
HMT Elise then steamed towards HMT Benjamin Stevenson who was 3 miles distant and had also engaged in fire with the U Boat.
After half an hour, at 10.45, the U Boat submerged.
HMT Benjamin Stevenson had been struck 3 times. The first and second projectiles having gone through the bulwark's starboard side aft and passing down through the deck and through the cabin and emerged, just above the waterline, on the port side.
The passage of the third projectile was doubtful but possibly entered the cabin below the waterline.
The trawler started to take water.
Both trawlers then set course for Bard Head steering S.87 deg.
At 11.30 HMT Benjamin Stevenson sent a message saying that vessel was in sinking condition and they would probably have to abandon ship. Both vessels changed course steaming NNW but at 12. 15 HMT Benjamin Stevenson stopped and the crew abandoned her and went aboard HMT Elise. The sinking trawler was then taken in tow but foundered at 14.05.
Source: ADM 137/3684 Report of Court of Enquiry into the loss of HM Trawler Benjamin Stevenson on 18th August 1917.
ADM 137/3300 Sinking of HM Trawler Benjamin Stevenson by gunfire from enemy submarine on 18/8/17
KTB U-55 (Wilhelm Werner)
A short extract from the KTB of U 55 simply states;
Battle with two outpost steamers, which retreat to the NE (northeast) after half an hour of artillery fire. Pursuit and suppression not possible due to weather conditions.
Battle with two outpost steamers, which retreat to the NE (northeast) after half an hour of artillery fire. Pursuit and suppression not possible due to weather conditions.
Text from KTB
Chart from KTB U 55
The Wreck
UKHO wreck card 161 was created for HMT Benjamin Stevenson and charted in position 603540N, 003200E as a wreck with a position approximate.
HMT Benjamin Stevenson on Chart 295 (UKHO)
