HMT Northumbria
HMT Northumbria. (Adty No 623 ) 3/03/1917
Displacement: 211 grt.
Length: 35.2 m. Beam: 6.0m. 3.0 m Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery by: Holmes C. D. & Co. Ltd., Hull
Complement: 12 or 14.
Men Lost: 5
Armament: 1x12pdr.
Displacement: 211 grt.
Length: 35.2 m. Beam: 6.0m. 3.0 m Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery by: Holmes C. D. & Co. Ltd., Hull
Complement: 12 or 14.
Men Lost: 5
Armament: 1x12pdr.
The trawler Northumbria was built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd., Beverley (Hull), in 1906,for the East Anglia Steam Fishing Co. Ltd, Grimsby and given the registration GY 169.
Newspaper articles:
Lloyd's List - Thursday 19 July 1906
NORTHUMBRIA.. On June 23rd a steel ketch-rigged steamer of about 170 tons gross, named Northumbria, was launched at Beverley. Owners : East Anglia Steam Fishing Company (Limited). Port of registry : Grimsby.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Saturday 24 November 1906
A NORTH SEA DERELICT. Abandoned Hull Trawler Towed into Grimsby. Late on Thursday night the steam trawler Northumbria, owned by Mr. Alfred Bannister, Grimsby, returned to port having in tow the derelict Hull trawler Eagle, which had been abandoned in the North Sea on account of her water-logged condition. The salvage of the vessel was not accomplished without considerable danger, as she had a large hole below the water line, and the fish-room and forecastle were filled with water.
Newspaper articles:
Lloyd's List - Thursday 19 July 1906
NORTHUMBRIA.. On June 23rd a steel ketch-rigged steamer of about 170 tons gross, named Northumbria, was launched at Beverley. Owners : East Anglia Steam Fishing Company (Limited). Port of registry : Grimsby.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Saturday 24 November 1906
A NORTH SEA DERELICT. Abandoned Hull Trawler Towed into Grimsby. Late on Thursday night the steam trawler Northumbria, owned by Mr. Alfred Bannister, Grimsby, returned to port having in tow the derelict Hull trawler Eagle, which had been abandoned in the North Sea on account of her water-logged condition. The salvage of the vessel was not accomplished without considerable danger, as she had a large hole below the water line, and the fish-room and forecastle were filled with water.
The Loss
On the 3rd March 1917 HMT Northumbria was proceeding to engage in mine sweeping operations north of May Island when, at 6.40 pm she struck a mine that had been laid by UC-29 the previous night. Five of the crew were killed in the explosion but the rest of the crew were rescued by other minesweepers operating in the area.
UC-29 (Ernst Rosenow)
Translation from KTB : Firth of Forth 3 mines NE from May Island about 1 1/2 miles.
Mine Map from KTB UC 29 - 28th Jan - 14th Feb 1917 patrol
The Wreck
HMT Northumbria has the UKHO Wreck Card 2983. The Wreck Card was created in 1919 and simply stated ''Sunk in position 561700N 023300W. This position is 5 miles NNE of where the wreck was eventually found.
In 1923 the wreck was added to the chart as Dangerous Wreck (DW) (1919) and this was deleted in 1960.
In 1923 the wreck was added to the chart as Dangerous Wreck (DW) (1919) and this was deleted in 1960.
Chart 149 - Elie to Arbroath- 1923 . This is 5 miles from where wreck was found UKHO
In 1986 the wreck of HMT Northumbria was positively identified when the bell was recovered. The position given was 561200N, 023600W. (W Murney)
In 1987 the record was further updated with a description of the wreck: PRECISE POSN 561226N, 023443W. HIGHEST POINT, THE BOILER, STANDS 4MTRS HIGH AND THE REMAINDER OF THE WRECKAGE IS NO MORE THAN 1MTR HIGH. (W MURNEY, 19.7.87).
The wreck was re added to the chart as Wk 30 mtrs.
In 2012 the wreck was examined as part of the Isle of May BGS Survey and the results added to the Wreck card: EXAM'D BY BDC: WK IN 5612.243N, 0234.649W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 30.76MTRS, IN GEN DEPTH 34MTRS. LENGTH 30MTRS, WIDTH 8MTRS, HT 4MTRS, ORIENTATION 190/280. NFS. (DS32 ISLE OF MAY, BGS SURVEY 2012). AMEND NDW 30.5MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
The position was then revised and wreck charted as a Non Dangerous Wreck (NDW) in 30.5m
The wreck was re added to the chart as Wk 30 mtrs.
In 2012 the wreck was examined as part of the Isle of May BGS Survey and the results added to the Wreck card: EXAM'D BY BDC: WK IN 5612.243N, 0234.649W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 30.76MTRS, IN GEN DEPTH 34MTRS. LENGTH 30MTRS, WIDTH 8MTRS, HT 4MTRS, ORIENTATION 190/280. NFS. (DS32 ISLE OF MAY, BGS SURVEY 2012). AMEND NDW 30.5MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
The position was then revised and wreck charted as a Non Dangerous Wreck (NDW) in 30.5m
Crew Lost † 3/03/1917
Name - BELL, TOM,
DOB - 24th August 1876
Place of Birth -Hull, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 515TS), RNR,
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 24th August 1876
Place of Birth -Hull, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 515TS), RNR,
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/110436
BT 377/7/110436
Name - COLLINS, GEORGE (26),
DOB - 19th December 1892
Place of Birth -Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Collins, of 61, Trinity St., Grimsby,
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 177TS), RNR,
Service History -Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 19th December 1892
Place of Birth -Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Collins, of 61, Trinity St., Grimsby,
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 177TS), RNR,
Service History -Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/110103
BT 377/7/110103
Name - HEEPS, WALTER HORACE,
DOB - 26th November 1896
Place of Birth -Norwich, Norfolk
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 1381TS), RNR,
Service History -Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 26th November 1896
Place of Birth -Norwich, Norfolk
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 1381TS), RNR,
Service History -Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sources:
BT 377/7/111304
BT 377/7/111304
Name - MANNING, RICHARD,
DOB - 17th October 1897
Place of Birth - Hull, Yorkshire
Parents - Adopted son of Fred and Jane Elizabeth Sheard, of 58, Huntingdon St., Hull,
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 168TS), RNR
Service History -Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Hull Daily Mail - Monday 23 April 1917
Manning.—On 3rd March, Richard Manning. R.N.R., lost at sea. the beloved adopted son of J. and F. Sheard, 58. Huntingdon-street.Hull, Yorkshire
DOB - 17th October 1897
Place of Birth - Hull, Yorkshire
Parents - Adopted son of Fred and Jane Elizabeth Sheard, of 58, Huntingdon St., Hull,
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 168TS), RNR
Service History -Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Hull Daily Mail - Monday 23 April 1917
Manning.—On 3rd March, Richard Manning. R.N.R., lost at sea. the beloved adopted son of J. and F. Sheard, 58. Huntingdon-street.Hull, Yorkshire
Sources:
BT 377/7/110094
BT 377/7/110094
Name - MATTHEWS, ROBERT,
DOB - 7th January 1861
Place of Birth -Rackheath, Norfolk
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Second Hand (no. 323/SA), RNR
Service History -Buried in Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery
DOB - 7th January 1861
Place of Birth -Rackheath, Norfolk
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Second Hand (no. 323/SA), RNR
Service History -Buried in Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery
Photo: Military Historian Find a Grave
Sources:
BT 377/7/86504
BT 377/7/86504
