HMT EMLEY
HMT Emley. (Adty No 665 ) 28/04/1918
Displacement: 223 grt.
Length: 34.2 m. Beam: 6.9m. 3.8 m Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: 13.
Men Lost: 8
Armament: 1x12pdr
Displacement: 223 grt.
Length: 34.2 m. Beam: 6.9m. 3.8 m Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: 13.
Men Lost: 8
Armament: 1x12pdr
The steel trawler Emley was built in 1911 by Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd. Selby, for the Great Northern Steam Fishing Co. of Hull and had the registration H384.
The trawler was requisitioned by the Admiralty as a minesweeper in 1914.
Leeds Mercury - Thursday 12 October 1911
Messrs. Cochrane and Sons successfully launched from their Selby shipyard yesterday, two steel screw trawlers, which had been built the order of the Great Northern Steamship Fishing Company, of Hull. The first was named Eccleshill, by Miss Cargill, of Hull; while Miss Edwards christened the other Emley.
The trawler was requisitioned by the Admiralty as a minesweeper in 1914.
Leeds Mercury - Thursday 12 October 1911
Messrs. Cochrane and Sons successfully launched from their Selby shipyard yesterday, two steel screw trawlers, which had been built the order of the Great Northern Steamship Fishing Company, of Hull. The first was named Eccleshill, by Miss Cargill, of Hull; while Miss Edwards christened the other Emley.
The Loss
On the 28th April 1918 HMT Emley was minesweeping with HMT John Brennen, HMT Lysander II, HMT Kimberley and the Patrol Yacht HMY Shemara.
On the way to the search area a dan buoy was sighted one and a half to two miles south of May Island, Firth of Forth.
HMT Emley was ordered to slip and proceeded to sweep for mines. When about 3/4 mile SSW of May Island HMT Emley slowed, to 4 knots, to haul in the kite. When the kite was on the surface it was noted that a mine was fouled on the sweep wire. Orders were given to stop the winch but before anything could be done the mine exploded about 5 feet off the port quarter, blowing away part of the stern. It was reported in the CoE that the Chief Engineer, the cook, two trimmers, three deck hands and the mate we all killed at this time.
The trawler sank very quickly and the surviving crew were then picked up by boats from the other trawlers.
On the way to the search area a dan buoy was sighted one and a half to two miles south of May Island, Firth of Forth.
HMT Emley was ordered to slip and proceeded to sweep for mines. When about 3/4 mile SSW of May Island HMT Emley slowed, to 4 knots, to haul in the kite. When the kite was on the surface it was noted that a mine was fouled on the sweep wire. Orders were given to stop the winch but before anything could be done the mine exploded about 5 feet off the port quarter, blowing away part of the stern. It was reported in the CoE that the Chief Engineer, the cook, two trimmers, three deck hands and the mate we all killed at this time.
The trawler sank very quickly and the surviving crew were then picked up by boats from the other trawlers.
The Court finds that:-
(a) H.M. Trawler ''EMLEY'' was blown up on 28th April 1918; by a mine which had fouled her kite, and was brought to the surface while heaving the kite in.
(b) No blame can be attributed to any person concerned, all reasonable precautions having been observed, and the regulations complied with.
(c) The vessels in the vicinity of the explosion rendered prompt assistance by sending their boats to rescue the survivors, and it would appear that no uninjured person was drowned.
(a) H.M. Trawler ''EMLEY'' was blown up on 28th April 1918; by a mine which had fouled her kite, and was brought to the surface while heaving the kite in.
(b) No blame can be attributed to any person concerned, all reasonable precautions having been observed, and the regulations complied with.
(c) The vessels in the vicinity of the explosion rendered prompt assistance by sending their boats to rescue the survivors, and it would appear that no uninjured person was drowned.
Source:
ADM 137/3404 Report of Court of Enquiry held into loss of H.M. Trawler EMELY on 28th April 1918
ADM 137/3404 Report of Court of Enquiry held into loss of H.M. Trawler EMELY on 28th April 1918
UC-40 (Hermann Menzel)
On April 27th UC 40 laid a line of 10 mines between 56 07,2N 2 32,5W & 56 10,5N 2 30,6W.
Source M Lowrey
Source M Lowrey
Mine Map from KTB UC 40 - 23rd April - 12th May 1918 patrol
The Wreck
HMT Emley has the wreck Card 3129. The name on the wreck card is misspelt ''HMS EMBLEY''.
The wreck card was created in 1918 but only in 1925 was the wreck details given and the wreck added to the chart as Non-Dangerous Wreck Position Approximate (NDWPA)
''SANK IN POSN 208 DEG, 0.75M FROM MAY ISLAND LTHO. INS AS NDWPA IN 561030N, 023400W. BR STD''.
A search by HMS Scott in 1959 failed to locate the wreck.
In 1993 the wreck was dived by Gordon Wadsworth and identified as probably HMT Emley.
2.6.93 WK OF STEAM TRAWLER, PROBABLY 'EMILY', DIVED ON IN 561012N, 023312W. UPRIGHT AND INTACT. STANDS 5MTRS HIGH IN GEN DEPTH 55MTRS. (G WADSWORTH, 1.3.93). INS AS WK 50MTRS. BR STD.
The wreck was then surveyed by Oceonics Ltd in 1994.
19.1.94 EXAM'D 7.8.93 IN 561012.2N, 023306.1W [OGB] USING MICROFIX [3 LOPS]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 48.0 IN GEN DEPTH 51.5MTRS. SCOUR DEPTH 52MTRS. DCS3 HT 5.1MTRS, LENGTH 38MTRS, BREADTH 8MTRS. PARTIALLY BROKEN WK LYING 120/300 DEG. (OCEONICS (UK) LTD.
The wreck was then further surveyed using Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) in 1912.
EXAM'D BY BDC: WK IN 5610.206N, 0233.179W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 46.77MTRS, IN GEN DEPTH 52MTRS. LENGTH 32MTRS, WIDTH 8MTRS, HT 5.5MTRS, ORIENTATION 045/225. NFS. (DS32 ISLE OF MAY, BGS SURVEY 2012).
The wreck card was created in 1918 but only in 1925 was the wreck details given and the wreck added to the chart as Non-Dangerous Wreck Position Approximate (NDWPA)
''SANK IN POSN 208 DEG, 0.75M FROM MAY ISLAND LTHO. INS AS NDWPA IN 561030N, 023400W. BR STD''.
A search by HMS Scott in 1959 failed to locate the wreck.
In 1993 the wreck was dived by Gordon Wadsworth and identified as probably HMT Emley.
2.6.93 WK OF STEAM TRAWLER, PROBABLY 'EMILY', DIVED ON IN 561012N, 023312W. UPRIGHT AND INTACT. STANDS 5MTRS HIGH IN GEN DEPTH 55MTRS. (G WADSWORTH, 1.3.93). INS AS WK 50MTRS. BR STD.
The wreck was then surveyed by Oceonics Ltd in 1994.
19.1.94 EXAM'D 7.8.93 IN 561012.2N, 023306.1W [OGB] USING MICROFIX [3 LOPS]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 48.0 IN GEN DEPTH 51.5MTRS. SCOUR DEPTH 52MTRS. DCS3 HT 5.1MTRS, LENGTH 38MTRS, BREADTH 8MTRS. PARTIALLY BROKEN WK LYING 120/300 DEG. (OCEONICS (UK) LTD.
The wreck was then further surveyed using Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) in 1912.
EXAM'D BY BDC: WK IN 5610.206N, 0233.179W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 46.77MTRS, IN GEN DEPTH 52MTRS. LENGTH 32MTRS, WIDTH 8MTRS, HT 5.5MTRS, ORIENTATION 045/225. NFS. (DS32 ISLE OF MAY, BGS SURVEY 2012).
Crew Lost †28/04/1918
Name - Colley, Robert,
DOB - 9th March 1888
Place of Birth - Newcastle, Northumberland
Parents -
Early History - Married Elizabeth Ann Colley, 1 Back Harle Street, Newcastle on Tyne
Rank - Trimmer (no. 7801TS), R.N.R, ,
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 9th March 1888
Place of Birth - Newcastle, Northumberland
Parents -
Early History - Married Elizabeth Ann Colley, 1 Back Harle Street, Newcastle on Tyne
Rank - Trimmer (no. 7801TS), R.N.R, ,
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/117716
BT 377/7/117716
Name - Fitzpatrick, George William ,
DOB - 12th February 1892
Place of Birth - Scarborough, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History - Sister, Hetty Fitzpatrick, 178 Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen.
Rank - Deckhand (no. 9198DA),R.N.R.,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 12th February 1892
Place of Birth - Scarborough, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History - Sister, Hetty Fitzpatrick, 178 Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen.
Rank - Deckhand (no. 9198DA),R.N.R.,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/55652
BT 377/7/55652
Name - Hewson, Charles William,
DOB - 21st October 1862
Place of Birth - Hull, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History - Married to Henrietta Hewson, 91 Shore Street, Hull
Rank - 2nd Hand (No 486 SA)
Service History -
DOB - 21st October 1862
Place of Birth - Hull, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History - Married to Henrietta Hewson, 91 Shore Street, Hull
Rank - 2nd Hand (No 486 SA)
Service History -
Sources:
BT 377/7/86708
BT 377/7/86708
Name - Macdonald, John (20),
DOB - 3rd January 1899
Place of Birth - Garrabost, Point, Stornoway
Parents - Son of Donald Macdonald, of 2, Upper Garrabost, Stornoway,
Early History -
Rank - Leading Deckhand (no. 14142DA),R.N.R.,
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/60595
DOB - 3rd January 1899
Place of Birth - Garrabost, Point, Stornoway
Parents - Son of Donald Macdonald, of 2, Upper Garrabost, Stornoway,
Early History -
Rank - Leading Deckhand (no. 14142DA),R.N.R.,
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/60595
Name - Massie, James Munro,
DOB - 17 May 1887
Place of Birth - Aberdeen
Parents -
Early History - Married to Margaret Ann Massie, 251 Newhaven Rd, Leith.
Rank - Engineman (no. 14TS), R.N.R.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 11 June 1918
ABERDEEN CASUALTIES.
KILLED
James Munro Massie, engineer, was killed sea by a mine explosion on 28th April. His mother resides at 3 Ragg's Lane.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 11 June 1918
NORTHERN CASUALTIES IN THE WAR.
ABERDEEN. N.C.O.'S AND MEN.
KILLED.
Engineer J. M. Massie.
DOB - 17 May 1887
Place of Birth - Aberdeen
Parents -
Early History - Married to Margaret Ann Massie, 251 Newhaven Rd, Leith.
Rank - Engineman (no. 14TS), R.N.R.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 11 June 1918
ABERDEEN CASUALTIES.
KILLED
James Munro Massie, engineer, was killed sea by a mine explosion on 28th April. His mother resides at 3 Ragg's Lane.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 11 June 1918
NORTHERN CASUALTIES IN THE WAR.
ABERDEEN. N.C.O.'S AND MEN.
KILLED.
Engineer J. M. Massie.
Sources:
BT 377/7/109941
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/109941
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - Smith, Herbert Henry,
DOB - 9th January 1887
Place of Birth - Hull, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History - Married to Victoria (or Mary) Smith, 6 St.Mary's Walk, Hull
Rank - Deckhand (no. 2327DA),R.N.R.
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.Hull, Yorkshire
DOB - 9th January 1887
Place of Birth - Hull, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History - Married to Victoria (or Mary) Smith, 6 St.Mary's Walk, Hull
Rank - Deckhand (no. 2327DA),R.N.R.
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.Hull, Yorkshire
6 St. Mary's Walk, Hull
Sources:
BT 377/7/48801
BT 377/7/48801
Name - Tait, Arthur Laing,
DOB - 11th December 1894
Place of Birth - Lerwick
Parents - Son of Andrew Tait, 2 Crown St, Leith
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 1142SD),R.N.R.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 11th December 1894
Place of Birth - Lerwick
Parents - Son of Andrew Tait, 2 Crown St, Leith
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 1142SD),R.N.R.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/93568
BT 377/7/93568
Name - Tunnah, Robert,
DOB - 21st March 1880
Place of Birth -Edinburgh, Midlothian
Parents -
Early History - Married to Elisabeth Tunnah, 59 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh.
Rank - Trimmer (no. 5471TS), R.N.R.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 21st March 1880
Place of Birth -Edinburgh, Midlothian
Parents -
Early History - Married to Elisabeth Tunnah, 59 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh.
Rank - Trimmer (no. 5471TS), R.N.R.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/115394
BT 377/7/115394
SURVIVORS
James Frederick Jones, Skipper. (2688 S.A)
Charles J Gilbert, Deckhand.
Richard Hopkins Alexander, Signalman R.N.V.R. was blown into the water by the explosion and received a head injury.
George Grant, Engineman. (746 ES.)
Angus Graham, Deckhand. (14666 D.A )
Source:
ADM 1/8524/129 Casualties HM Trawler Emley.
ADM 1/8524/129 Casualties HM Trawler Emley.
