HMT Knot
HMT Knot. (Adty No 683 ) 05/11/1916
Displacement: 168 grt.
Length: 33.5 m. Beam: 6.4 m. 3.4 m Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery: C. D. Holmes and Co.. of Hull
Complement: 13 officers and men.
Men Lost: 3
Armament: 1 x 3 pdr
Displacement: 168 grt.
Length: 33.5 m. Beam: 6.4 m. 3.4 m Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery: C. D. Holmes and Co.. of Hull
Complement: 13 officers and men.
Men Lost: 3
Armament: 1 x 3 pdr
The steel Steam Trawler Knot Built 1903 by Goole Shipbuilding & Repair Co.Ltd. for Kelsall Bros & Beeching Co. Ltd. Hull.
In November 1903 the trawler was registered with the number H 784
Nov.1914, Requisitioned By the Admiralty and converted as a Minesweeper.
Lloyd's List - Saturday 26 September 1903
KNOT.—On Sept. 24 the Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Co. (Limited) launched at Goole a steel fleeter of the following dimensions : Length over all, 110 feet 6 inches ; beam. 21 feet ; and depth, moulded. 12 feet. The vessel has been built to pass Lloyd's highest class, and the machinery, which will be fitted by Messrs. C. D. Holmes and Co.. of Hull, has cylinders 12. 18, and 30 inches in diameter by -feel stroke, steam being supplied by a steel boiler 10 feet 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches. The fleeter has been built to the order of Messrs. Kelsall Bros. and Beeching (Limited), of Hull and Manchester. Mr. George Betching, managing director of the firm, has personally supervised the construction of the vessel. The fleeter was named Knot.
In November 1903 the trawler was registered with the number H 784
Nov.1914, Requisitioned By the Admiralty and converted as a Minesweeper.
Lloyd's List - Saturday 26 September 1903
KNOT.—On Sept. 24 the Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Co. (Limited) launched at Goole a steel fleeter of the following dimensions : Length over all, 110 feet 6 inches ; beam. 21 feet ; and depth, moulded. 12 feet. The vessel has been built to pass Lloyd's highest class, and the machinery, which will be fitted by Messrs. C. D. Holmes and Co.. of Hull, has cylinders 12. 18, and 30 inches in diameter by -feel stroke, steam being supplied by a steel boiler 10 feet 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches. The fleeter has been built to the order of Messrs. Kelsall Bros. and Beeching (Limited), of Hull and Manchester. Mr. George Betching, managing director of the firm, has personally supervised the construction of the vessel. The fleeter was named Knot.
THE LOSS
East of Fife Record - Thursday 09 November 1916
Crail Lifeboat Rescues a Crew.
Between five and six o'clock on Sunday morning the good folks of Crail were alarmed by the firing of the gun calling out the lifeboat crew. There was a prompt response made on their part. and proceeding so the Garage at the east end of the town, Bailie Morris quickly conveyed them in a brake to Fifeness, where it was ascertained that to the severe gale which then prevailed a steam trawler had been driven on to the rocks near to the North Carr Beacon. With assistance willingly rendered by others who had been attracted to the spot. the lifeboat was soon launched, and under the command of Coxswain Cunningham, with the aid of a searchlight from a vessel in the vicinity of the Isle of May, they were directed to where the trawler was situated. At first no response was made to the shouts of the lifeboatmen, and it was hared that all the crew had been lost. After consider able difficulty, some of them managed to get on hoard the vessel, and it was then found that 10 of a crew of 13 had taken shelter in the wheelhouse, where they were huddled together in a t uncomfortable plight. It was then ascertained that the other three of the crew had been killed, and their bodies washed overboard. The skipper told the crew were got into the lifeboat, which then proceeded to the Coastguard Station at Fifeness, where they received every possible attention. One of the men seemed to be in a very bad condition, and a stretcher having been obtained, he was carried to Craighead Farm, near at hand, where he was carefully attended to by Mrs Auchmuthie. Dr Dow, junr., having been summoned from Crail, he was also quickly in attendance, and soon' brought the man round It seems to have been a near enough thing with the crew that were rescued, Coxswain Cunningham stating that if they had been half-an-hour later the probabilities were that the crew of the trawler would all have been washed overboard, as the waves were breaking ever the vessel with great violence. The flare lights had become exhausted, and the crew were reduced to burning a blanket that had been soaked in paraffin as a danger signal. The skipper also stated that it was the wildest night he had ever been out in on the sea after an experience of 23 years. While all this was going on at the scene of the wreck, with their usual diligence and praiseworthy exertions in such contingencies' many of the ladies of Crail gathered together dry clothes, and hot water bottles, and other precautions were adopted by the ladies in, the expectation that the rescued crew would be brought to Oral!. This was not done, however, in this case, and in the course of the day the men were taken away by another vessel to Rosyth. Two of the men who were lost were, it is understood, Scotchmen belonging to the north, while the other was an Englishman. It would appear that not long after the crew had been taken off, the vessel went down. It was undoubtedly another of many gallant rescues that have been made by Crail lifeboatmen, and redounds greatly to their honour and to the self-sacrifice that was made to save life. One of the bodies of the three men lost was washed ashore near Fifeness on Monday, and was taken to Granton. No trace has yet been got of the other two men. The vessel is now completely submerged, and is likely to become a total wreck.
Crail Lifeboat Rescues a Crew.
Between five and six o'clock on Sunday morning the good folks of Crail were alarmed by the firing of the gun calling out the lifeboat crew. There was a prompt response made on their part. and proceeding so the Garage at the east end of the town, Bailie Morris quickly conveyed them in a brake to Fifeness, where it was ascertained that to the severe gale which then prevailed a steam trawler had been driven on to the rocks near to the North Carr Beacon. With assistance willingly rendered by others who had been attracted to the spot. the lifeboat was soon launched, and under the command of Coxswain Cunningham, with the aid of a searchlight from a vessel in the vicinity of the Isle of May, they were directed to where the trawler was situated. At first no response was made to the shouts of the lifeboatmen, and it was hared that all the crew had been lost. After consider able difficulty, some of them managed to get on hoard the vessel, and it was then found that 10 of a crew of 13 had taken shelter in the wheelhouse, where they were huddled together in a t uncomfortable plight. It was then ascertained that the other three of the crew had been killed, and their bodies washed overboard. The skipper told the crew were got into the lifeboat, which then proceeded to the Coastguard Station at Fifeness, where they received every possible attention. One of the men seemed to be in a very bad condition, and a stretcher having been obtained, he was carried to Craighead Farm, near at hand, where he was carefully attended to by Mrs Auchmuthie. Dr Dow, junr., having been summoned from Crail, he was also quickly in attendance, and soon' brought the man round It seems to have been a near enough thing with the crew that were rescued, Coxswain Cunningham stating that if they had been half-an-hour later the probabilities were that the crew of the trawler would all have been washed overboard, as the waves were breaking ever the vessel with great violence. The flare lights had become exhausted, and the crew were reduced to burning a blanket that had been soaked in paraffin as a danger signal. The skipper also stated that it was the wildest night he had ever been out in on the sea after an experience of 23 years. While all this was going on at the scene of the wreck, with their usual diligence and praiseworthy exertions in such contingencies' many of the ladies of Crail gathered together dry clothes, and hot water bottles, and other precautions were adopted by the ladies in, the expectation that the rescued crew would be brought to Oral!. This was not done, however, in this case, and in the course of the day the men were taken away by another vessel to Rosyth. Two of the men who were lost were, it is understood, Scotchmen belonging to the north, while the other was an Englishman. It would appear that not long after the crew had been taken off, the vessel went down. It was undoubtedly another of many gallant rescues that have been made by Crail lifeboatmen, and redounds greatly to their honour and to the self-sacrifice that was made to save life. One of the bodies of the three men lost was washed ashore near Fifeness on Monday, and was taken to Granton. No trace has yet been got of the other two men. The vessel is now completely submerged, and is likely to become a total wreck.
Fife Free Press, & Kirkcaldy Guardian - Saturday 11 November 1916
THE TERRIFIC GALE.
VESSEL DRIVEN ON ROCKS IN FIRTH OF FORTH.
GALLAINT RESCUE BY LIFEBOAT. THREE MEN LOST.
At the height of a terrific north-easterly gale on Sunday morning an English trawling vessel was driven on to the rocks near the North Carr Beacon at the mouth of the Firth of Forth. It is likely to become a total wreck. Three of a crew of 13 have been lost. The occurrence was first observed by the Coastguard at Fifeness, who phoned to Crail for the lifeboat. A prompt response was made, and, under Coxswain Cunningham, the boat, guided by a searchlight, soon reached the wreck, the crew of which had exhausted all available rockets, and were burning a blanket soaked in paraffin oil. The sea was washing over the vessel with great violence, and on the lifeboat crew getting on board they found 10 men huddled together the wheelhouse, and that three had been killed. The skipper stated that it was the darkest night he had ever been out in after an experience of-23 years. On reaching the lifeboat station at Fife Ness it was found that one of the men was quite exhausted, and a stretcher having been obtained was carried to Craighead Farm, and Dr Dow, Grail, sent for. Meantime the rest of the men were well looked after at the lifeboat, station. Two the men killed belong to the North of Scotland, while the other was an Englishman. The vessel is now submerged, only one of the masts being visible.
THE TERRIFIC GALE.
VESSEL DRIVEN ON ROCKS IN FIRTH OF FORTH.
GALLAINT RESCUE BY LIFEBOAT. THREE MEN LOST.
At the height of a terrific north-easterly gale on Sunday morning an English trawling vessel was driven on to the rocks near the North Carr Beacon at the mouth of the Firth of Forth. It is likely to become a total wreck. Three of a crew of 13 have been lost. The occurrence was first observed by the Coastguard at Fifeness, who phoned to Crail for the lifeboat. A prompt response was made, and, under Coxswain Cunningham, the boat, guided by a searchlight, soon reached the wreck, the crew of which had exhausted all available rockets, and were burning a blanket soaked in paraffin oil. The sea was washing over the vessel with great violence, and on the lifeboat crew getting on board they found 10 men huddled together the wheelhouse, and that three had been killed. The skipper stated that it was the darkest night he had ever been out in after an experience of-23 years. On reaching the lifeboat station at Fife Ness it was found that one of the men was quite exhausted, and a stretcher having been obtained was carried to Craighead Farm, and Dr Dow, Grail, sent for. Meantime the rest of the men were well looked after at the lifeboat, station. Two the men killed belong to the North of Scotland, while the other was an Englishman. The vessel is now submerged, only one of the masts being visible.
There is a file held at UKHO that give another story as to the loss of H.M.T. Knot claiming the loss through an explosion after the stranding.
HD 1671/1916
Stranding of H.M Armed Trawler No 683 on North Carr on 5th Nov: 1916
Loss of. through magazine exploding.
C in C Scotland 17th Dec 1916
Concur with finding of Court of Enquiry. In view of the subsequent trial by Court Martial of the skipper and 2nd Hand, it is presumably not necessary to take disciplinary action on the result of this enquiry.
-------------------------------------------------------
H.M. Naval Base
Granton.
6th December 1916.
Sir,
We have the honour to report that we have this day held a strict and careful inquiry into the circumstances attending the stranding of H.H. Armed Trawler ''Knot'' on the North Carr Rock, which, occurred on the 5th instant, and the subsequent explosion.
1. The Court find that H.M. Armed Trawler ''Knot'' went ashore on the night of the 4th-5th November, when following the trawler ''Elk'' in accordance with orders.
2. The Skipper of the ''Knot'' is entirely responsible for the loss of his ship, in that he took no steps for her safe conduct. The Skipper was not on deck when the ship grounded.
The Second Hand being in charge of the watch took no steps to fix his position, and showed great want of ordinary seaman like care in blindly following the ship ahead, and keeping on her inshore quarter with a strong Easterly wind blowing.
Even when the ship struck he made no effort to get the ship off by using his engines, nor did he take any steps to inform the Skipper.
3. The Court are of the opinion that the explosion was due to water coming in contact with an opened tin of Carbide, stowed in the tunner (sic) from the Stokehold to the fish hold. This generated acetylene gas, which completely filled the closed fish hold with an explosive mixture, and eventually percolated through the wooden bulkhead to the Mess Deck and was exploded on coming in contact with the lighted Mess Deck stove.
4. The Court view with rave disfavour the conduct of the uninjured portion of the crew in not attempting to offer any assistance to their shipmates, who they knew were forward when the explosion occurred.
We have the honour etc.
(Signed) A. Hambly
Granton.
6th December 1916.
Sir,
We have the honour to report that we have this day held a strict and careful inquiry into the circumstances attending the stranding of H.H. Armed Trawler ''Knot'' on the North Carr Rock, which, occurred on the 5th instant, and the subsequent explosion.
1. The Court find that H.M. Armed Trawler ''Knot'' went ashore on the night of the 4th-5th November, when following the trawler ''Elk'' in accordance with orders.
2. The Skipper of the ''Knot'' is entirely responsible for the loss of his ship, in that he took no steps for her safe conduct. The Skipper was not on deck when the ship grounded.
The Second Hand being in charge of the watch took no steps to fix his position, and showed great want of ordinary seaman like care in blindly following the ship ahead, and keeping on her inshore quarter with a strong Easterly wind blowing.
Even when the ship struck he made no effort to get the ship off by using his engines, nor did he take any steps to inform the Skipper.
3. The Court are of the opinion that the explosion was due to water coming in contact with an opened tin of Carbide, stowed in the tunner (sic) from the Stokehold to the fish hold. This generated acetylene gas, which completely filled the closed fish hold with an explosive mixture, and eventually percolated through the wooden bulkhead to the Mess Deck and was exploded on coming in contact with the lighted Mess Deck stove.
4. The Court view with rave disfavour the conduct of the uninjured portion of the crew in not attempting to offer any assistance to their shipmates, who they knew were forward when the explosion occurred.
We have the honour etc.
(Signed) A. Hambly
THE WRECK
HMT Knot has UKHO wreck Card 2980 which was created in 1919 with the following : SUNK IN 561700N, 023430W, APPROX. (SNO GRANTON). INS WK. - NM 1074/19.
In 1923 this was amended to DW (Dangerous Wreck)
In 1923 this was amended to DW (Dangerous Wreck)
Chart Elie to Arbroath (1920) UKHO
A survey in 1959 by HMS Scott failed to locate the wreck and a further survey in 1994 by OCEONICS UK LTD also failed so the wreck card was amended to ''DEAD'' and the charted position removed from future charts.
To date the vessel has not been formally located.
To date the vessel has not been formally located.
CREW LOST
Name - CLARK, Alexander,
DOB - 28th December 1889
Place of Birth -Buckie, Banffshire
Parents - Son of Mary Patience Clark, of Dock Cottage, Avoch, Inverness,
Early History -
Rank - Seaman (no. 4891B), R.N.R
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sussex Daily News - Wednesday 15 November 1916
NAVAL LIST.
The Secretary of the Admiralty announces the following casualties :--
H.M. SHIPS.
KILLED.
* CLARK, ALEXANDER, Seaman R.N.R., 4891 B.
*GARRICK, LAWRENCE ARTHUR, Deckhand R. N. R. , 7507 D.A.
DOB - 28th December 1889
Place of Birth -Buckie, Banffshire
Parents - Son of Mary Patience Clark, of Dock Cottage, Avoch, Inverness,
Early History -
Rank - Seaman (no. 4891B), R.N.R
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sussex Daily News - Wednesday 15 November 1916
NAVAL LIST.
The Secretary of the Admiralty announces the following casualties :--
H.M. SHIPS.
KILLED.
* CLARK, ALEXANDER, Seaman R.N.R., 4891 B.
*GARRICK, LAWRENCE ARTHUR, Deckhand R. N. R. , 7507 D.A.
Sources:
BT 377/7/27191
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/27191
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - GARRICK, Laurence Arthur (35),
DOB - 16th August 1880
Place of Birth - Sandsting, Shetland
Parents - Son of James Garrick, of Berfield, Sandsound, Aithsting, Shetland, and the late Elizabeth Garrick,
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 7307DA), R.N. R
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sussex Daily News - Wednesday 15 November 1916
NAVAL LIST.
The Secretary of the Admiralty announces the following casualties :--
H.M. SHIPS.
KILLED.
* CLARK, ALEXANDER, Seaman R.N.R., 4891 B.
*GARRICK, LAWRENCE ARTHUR, Deckhand R. N. R. , 7507 D.A.
Shetland Times - Saturday 25 November 1916
SHETLAND R.N.R. MAN KILLED.
General regret was expressed in the district where he belonged. when it became known that Laurence A. Garrick, Sandsound, had made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his King and country. Joining the Trawler Section, R.N,R., more than a year ago, he had been employed at the difficult and dangerous work which these class of vessels have so admirably performed - how much the country owes to their unceasing labours will never be fully known. Decease was 35 years of age and unmarried and had been constantly at sea since he was a boy. He made several voyages to the Greenland whale fishing, and the Faroe cod fishing, and when these were no longer profitable, fine proceeded south and has sailed all over the world. To his father and mother and other relatives at home, heartfelt sympathy is offered.
Shetland Times - Saturday 17 November 1917
SHETLAND’S FALLEN HEROES
GARRICK. —Laurence Arthur Garrick, seaman, R.N.R., aged 35 years, second son of James Garrick, Sandsound, Aithsting. . Killed by magazine explosion on board H.M. Trawler Kent, on 5th November, 1916.
DOB - 16th August 1880
Place of Birth - Sandsting, Shetland
Parents - Son of James Garrick, of Berfield, Sandsound, Aithsting, Shetland, and the late Elizabeth Garrick,
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 7307DA), R.N. R
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sussex Daily News - Wednesday 15 November 1916
NAVAL LIST.
The Secretary of the Admiralty announces the following casualties :--
H.M. SHIPS.
KILLED.
* CLARK, ALEXANDER, Seaman R.N.R., 4891 B.
*GARRICK, LAWRENCE ARTHUR, Deckhand R. N. R. , 7507 D.A.
Shetland Times - Saturday 25 November 1916
SHETLAND R.N.R. MAN KILLED.
General regret was expressed in the district where he belonged. when it became known that Laurence A. Garrick, Sandsound, had made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his King and country. Joining the Trawler Section, R.N,R., more than a year ago, he had been employed at the difficult and dangerous work which these class of vessels have so admirably performed - how much the country owes to their unceasing labours will never be fully known. Decease was 35 years of age and unmarried and had been constantly at sea since he was a boy. He made several voyages to the Greenland whale fishing, and the Faroe cod fishing, and when these were no longer profitable, fine proceeded south and has sailed all over the world. To his father and mother and other relatives at home, heartfelt sympathy is offered.
Shetland Times - Saturday 17 November 1917
SHETLAND’S FALLEN HEROES
GARRICK. —Laurence Arthur Garrick, seaman, R.N.R., aged 35 years, second son of James Garrick, Sandsound, Aithsting. . Killed by magazine explosion on board H.M. Trawler Kent, on 5th November, 1916.
Sources:
BT 377/7/53761
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/53761
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - ROBINSON, James (29), (Served as TAYLOR, J R)
DOB - 10th December 1886
Place of Birth -Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Parents -
Early History - Husband of Sarah Ann Taylor Robinson, of 10, Liquorpond St., Boston,
Rank - Deckhand (no. 1866/DA), R.N.R,
Service History - Memorial in Boston Cemetery.
Dundee Courier - Thursday 09 November 1916
One of the bodies the three men lost by the wreck of a trawler steamer near the North Carr Beacon in the Firth of Forth .has been washed ashore near Fifeness, and has been taken to Granton. No trace has yet been obtained of the other two men.
DOB - 10th December 1886
Place of Birth -Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Parents -
Early History - Husband of Sarah Ann Taylor Robinson, of 10, Liquorpond St., Boston,
Rank - Deckhand (no. 1866/DA), R.N.R,
Service History - Memorial in Boston Cemetery.
Dundee Courier - Thursday 09 November 1916
One of the bodies the three men lost by the wreck of a trawler steamer near the North Carr Beacon in the Firth of Forth .has been washed ashore near Fifeness, and has been taken to Granton. No trace has yet been obtained of the other two men.
Photo: Military Historian via Findagrave
Boston Guardian - Saturday 09 November 1918
ROLL OF HONOUR
ROBINSON.—In ever-loving memory of James Taylor Robinson, who was killed on the H.M. Trawler “Knot” November, 1916.
To-day brings back our memory.
Of one who was called to rest;
And those who think him tonight.
Are those who loved him best. ''R.I.P.''
From his loving wife and children..
ROLL OF HONOUR
ROBINSON.—In ever-loving memory of James Taylor Robinson, who was killed on the H.M. Trawler “Knot” November, 1916.
To-day brings back our memory.
Of one who was called to rest;
And those who think him tonight.
Are those who loved him best. ''R.I.P.''
From his loving wife and children..
Sources:
BT 377/7/48341
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/48341
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
