HMT Plethos
HMT Plethos. (No 468) 23/04/1918
Displacement: 210 grt.
Length: 35 m. Beam: 7 m. Draught: 4 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: officers and men.
Crew Lost: 4
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr & 1 x 6 pdr deck gun
Displacement: 210 grt.
Length: 35 m. Beam: 7 m. Draught: 4 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: officers and men.
Crew Lost: 4
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr & 1 x 6 pdr deck gun
Steel Steam Trawler built by Hall A. & Sons Ltd. - Alexander Hall, Aberdeen in 1913 for East Coast Steam Fishing Co., Aberdeen and registered A545.
History
East Coast Steam Fishing Co
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Monday 10 March 1913
ADDITION TO ABERDEEN’S TRAWLING FLEET.
DIFFICULTY OF NAMES.
An interesting launch took place at the yard of Messrs. A. Hall end Company, shipbuilders, Footdee, on Saturday afternoon. A finely modelled trawler left the ways for the East coast Fishing Company, Ltd and was named the Plethos by Mrs. Fannon, the wife of the skipper. At the cake and wine banquet held after the launch, Mr. Donald M‘Intosh presided over a very large company of ladies and gentlemen. The Chairman proposed ‘’Success to the New Vessel” He explained that the word Plethos meant abundance, end hoped that the trawler would justify the name which the owners had chosen. He thought that under Captain Fannon there was nothing to fear for the vessel’s prosperity. He coupled the toast with the name of Mir Scott, jun, of the East Coast Steam Fishing Company, Lid. Mr Scott and pointed out the difficulty owners had in choosing a name, which, he said, had not only to be different from every name in the port, but also from all names in Great Britain. Mr. Scott proposed the health and prosperity of the builders and hoped that good times the yard had experienced during the past 12 months would be continued. Mr. M‘Intosh, m his reply, said that mm common with many builders had not seen much of the good times yet. The trawlowners had had a very prosperous months, and he hoped it would be reflected in the ship building industry soon. The yards had been filled up, but difficulties such as the price of material and increases in the workmen's wages lad to be contended with, and that affected the cost of the vessels. Trawlowners had been very loyal in placing their orders within the port and not going to outsiders. They must encourage home industries, and he thought they could get as good and as cheap a vessel in Aberdeen as anywhere. Mr. proposed the health of Mrs. Fannon, who had named the vessel, and he presented her with a souvenir of the occasion. Mr. James Worling replied on Mrs. Fannon’s behalf.
Mr. Scott, sen., proposed the health of Captain Fannon.
Captain Fannon suitably replied. ‘’Bon-Accord’’ concluded the proceedings.
The dimensions of Plethos are: — Length 115 feet; breadth, 22 feet 6 inches; and Depth13 feet. The engines and boilers are to pe supplied by the builders.
Lloyd's List - Saturday 15 March 1913
LAUNCHES,
PLETHOS -—On March 8 a steam trawler, to the order of the East Coast Steam Fishing Company, Aberdeen, was launched at that port. The vessel, which was named the Plethos, is 115ft in length, 22 ft. 6 in. in breadth, and 13 ft. in depth
ADDITION TO ABERDEEN’S TRAWLING FLEET.
DIFFICULTY OF NAMES.
An interesting launch took place at the yard of Messrs. A. Hall end Company, shipbuilders, Footdee, on Saturday afternoon. A finely modelled trawler left the ways for the East coast Fishing Company, Ltd and was named the Plethos by Mrs. Fannon, the wife of the skipper. At the cake and wine banquet held after the launch, Mr. Donald M‘Intosh presided over a very large company of ladies and gentlemen. The Chairman proposed ‘’Success to the New Vessel” He explained that the word Plethos meant abundance, end hoped that the trawler would justify the name which the owners had chosen. He thought that under Captain Fannon there was nothing to fear for the vessel’s prosperity. He coupled the toast with the name of Mir Scott, jun, of the East Coast Steam Fishing Company, Lid. Mr Scott and pointed out the difficulty owners had in choosing a name, which, he said, had not only to be different from every name in the port, but also from all names in Great Britain. Mr. Scott proposed the health and prosperity of the builders and hoped that good times the yard had experienced during the past 12 months would be continued. Mr. M‘Intosh, m his reply, said that mm common with many builders had not seen much of the good times yet. The trawlowners had had a very prosperous months, and he hoped it would be reflected in the ship building industry soon. The yards had been filled up, but difficulties such as the price of material and increases in the workmen's wages lad to be contended with, and that affected the cost of the vessels. Trawlowners had been very loyal in placing their orders within the port and not going to outsiders. They must encourage home industries, and he thought they could get as good and as cheap a vessel in Aberdeen as anywhere. Mr. proposed the health of Mrs. Fannon, who had named the vessel, and he presented her with a souvenir of the occasion. Mr. James Worling replied on Mrs. Fannon’s behalf.
Mr. Scott, sen., proposed the health of Captain Fannon.
Captain Fannon suitably replied. ‘’Bon-Accord’’ concluded the proceedings.
The dimensions of Plethos are: — Length 115 feet; breadth, 22 feet 6 inches; and Depth13 feet. The engines and boilers are to pe supplied by the builders.
Lloyd's List - Saturday 15 March 1913
LAUNCHES,
PLETHOS -—On March 8 a steam trawler, to the order of the East Coast Steam Fishing Company, Aberdeen, was launched at that port. The vessel, which was named the Plethos, is 115ft in length, 22 ft. 6 in. in breadth, and 13 ft. in depth
Near Miss
The Bi-Monthly mine sweeping reports show that H.M.T. Plethos had a very lucky escape from a mine on the 21st January 1918. See below).
ADM 116/1518. Bi Monthly Minesweeping Reports 15th-31st January 1918
The Loss
HMT Plethos was lost on 23rd April 1918 after striking a mine that had been laid by U80 three days previously.. Four crew were lost.
U 80
On the morning of the 20th April 1918 U80 ( Kapitänleutnant Karl Koopmann) started laying a line of mines, from 56 36N 01 19W north to 56 42N 01 20W.
Two images below, taken from U80s KTB.
Two images below, taken from U80s KTB.
The Wreck
HMT Plethos has no wreck card with the UKHO and to date the wreck of this trawler has not been identified.
There is a wreck charted to the southern end of the U 80 mine line and this has the wreck card 70420 in position 56°37,37'N 01°19,224'W and sits in 64m.
This is an unknown wreck but has dimensions nearly matching those of HMT Plethos.
There is a wreck charted to the southern end of the U 80 mine line and this has the wreck card 70420 in position 56°37,37'N 01°19,224'W and sits in 64m.
This is an unknown wreck but has dimensions nearly matching those of HMT Plethos.
The telegram giving position for the loss of HMT Plethos and chart showing position plotted and U80 mine line in red and KTB map overlay. Wreck 70420
Crew Lost †23/04/1918 (research is ongoing)
Name - HOGG, John James (26),
DOB - 2nd July 1891
Place of Birth -
Parents - Son of William and Martha Alice Hogg, of 7, James St., Grahamston, Falkirk,
Early History -
Rank - Ordinary Seaman, Telegraphist (no. Clyde Z/5564),Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 2nd July 1891
Place of Birth -
Parents - Son of William and Martha Alice Hogg, of 7, James St., Grahamston, Falkirk,
Early History -
Rank - Ordinary Seaman, Telegraphist (no. Clyde Z/5564),Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Sources:
ADM 337/26/190
ADM 339/1/17910
ADM 337/26/190
ADM 339/1/17910
Name - POWDRILL, Joseph Samuel (18),
DOB - 17th August 1899
Place of Birth - Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Parents - Son of R. J. and E. A. Powdrill, of Wallace St., Gotham, Notts,
Early History -
Rank - Stoker 2nd Class (no. K/46120), Royal Navy,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 17th August 1899
Place of Birth - Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Parents - Son of R. J. and E. A. Powdrill, of Wallace St., Gotham, Notts,
Early History -
Rank - Stoker 2nd Class (no. K/46120), Royal Navy,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Gotham War Memorial. Photo: P Dines
Sources:
ADM 188/959/46120
ADM 188/959/46120
Name - SMITH, Alfred Alexander,
DOB - 28th September 1878
Place of Birth - Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 621TS),Royal Naval Reserve,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Evening Express - Saturday 27 April 1918
KILLED
Trimmer Alfred Alexander Smith, husband of Mrs. Smith, 5 Berry Street, who worked on board an Admiralty trawler, is reported killed. He was a son of Mr. James Smith, 114 Skene Street.
Aberdeen Evening Express - Monday 29 April 1918
Roll of Honour
SMITH - Lost at sea on 23rd April, Alfred Alexander Smith aged 40, trimmer, R.N.R., beloved husband of Margret Leiper, 5 Berry Street, Aberdeen, and son of James Smith, shoemaker, 114 Skene Street. Deeply mourned
DOB - 28th September 1878
Place of Birth - Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Trimmer (no. 621TS),Royal Naval Reserve,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Evening Express - Saturday 27 April 1918
KILLED
Trimmer Alfred Alexander Smith, husband of Mrs. Smith, 5 Berry Street, who worked on board an Admiralty trawler, is reported killed. He was a son of Mr. James Smith, 114 Skene Street.
Aberdeen Evening Express - Monday 29 April 1918
Roll of Honour
SMITH - Lost at sea on 23rd April, Alfred Alexander Smith aged 40, trimmer, R.N.R., beloved husband of Margret Leiper, 5 Berry Street, Aberdeen, and son of James Smith, shoemaker, 114 Skene Street. Deeply mourned
Sources:
BT 377/7/110542
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/110542
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - STACEY, Ernest Henry William (20),
DOB - 6th July 1897
Place of Birth - Weymouth, Dorset
Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Stacey, of II, Trinity Rd., Weymouth, Dorset,
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 15566DA),Royal Naval Reserve,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Southern Times and Dorset County Herald - Saturday 03 May 1919
STACEY -- In loving memory of our dear Ernie who lost his life on H.M.S. Plethos, Sadly missed by Mam, Dad, and sister,
''Twelve months have passed, our hearts still sore
As days go by we miss him more
A loving son and brother kind.
Sweetest of memories he left behind
For one and all he did his best
God grant him eternal rest.” .
STACEY -- In loving memory of Ernest Stacey, Killed whilst minesweeping, April, 19I8—Lonie and Arthur
For how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds
For the ashes of his father
And the temple of his God
DOB - 6th July 1897
Place of Birth - Weymouth, Dorset
Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Stacey, of II, Trinity Rd., Weymouth, Dorset,
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 15566DA),Royal Naval Reserve,
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Southern Times and Dorset County Herald - Saturday 03 May 1919
STACEY -- In loving memory of our dear Ernie who lost his life on H.M.S. Plethos, Sadly missed by Mam, Dad, and sister,
''Twelve months have passed, our hearts still sore
As days go by we miss him more
A loving son and brother kind.
Sweetest of memories he left behind
For one and all he did his best
God grant him eternal rest.” .
STACEY -- In loving memory of Ernest Stacey, Killed whilst minesweeping, April, 19I8—Lonie and Arthur
For how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds
For the ashes of his father
And the temple of his God
Weymouth War Memorial Photo: Grahame Knott
Sources:
BT 377/7/61992
BT 377/7/61992
Salvage Award
Naval & Military Record and Royal Dockyards Gazette - Wednesday 14 August 1918
NAVAL SALVAGE MONEY.
Friday night's “ London Gazette " containing an Admiralty announcement that preparations are now being made for the intended distribution of award; for the salvage of ss. city of Lincoln by H.M. tugs Zares and Revenger and H.M. trawlers Foss and City of Edinburgh between Sept. 19 and 21, 1917; and of the Benguela by H.M. ships Zara, Plethos, James S. Melville, Tyne, Prince, Strathcarron, Aboyne, and Strathatholl, between Sept. 26 and 28, 1916.
NAVAL SALVAGE MONEY.
Friday night's “ London Gazette " containing an Admiralty announcement that preparations are now being made for the intended distribution of award; for the salvage of ss. city of Lincoln by H.M. tugs Zares and Revenger and H.M. trawlers Foss and City of Edinburgh between Sept. 19 and 21, 1917; and of the Benguela by H.M. ships Zara, Plethos, James S. Melville, Tyne, Prince, Strathcarron, Aboyne, and Strathatholl, between Sept. 26 and 28, 1916.
Naval & Military Record and Royal Dockyards Gazette - Wednesday 23 October 1918
NAVAL SALVAGE MONEY. Friday's ''London Gazette'' contained an Admiralty announcement that the distribution of the undermentioned salvage awards began on Wednesday, 16th inst., in the Prize Branch of the Dept. of the Accountant-General of the Navy:—Salvage of s.v. Benguela by H.M. ships Zaza, Plethos, James S. Melville, Tyne, Prince Strathcarron, Aboyne, and Strathwiholl, on Sept. 27 and 28, 1916: salvage of ss. Oldfield Grange by H.M. ships Seahorse, Lincoln, Pert, and Swarthy, June 8-12, 1917; salvage of s.s. Forsvaret by H.M. yacht Venetia 11., Dec. 17-19, 1917; salvage of s.s. Tuna by H.M. ship Thistle July 12-15, 1916.
NAVAL SALVAGE MONEY. Friday's ''London Gazette'' contained an Admiralty announcement that the distribution of the undermentioned salvage awards began on Wednesday, 16th inst., in the Prize Branch of the Dept. of the Accountant-General of the Navy:—Salvage of s.v. Benguela by H.M. ships Zaza, Plethos, James S. Melville, Tyne, Prince Strathcarron, Aboyne, and Strathwiholl, on Sept. 27 and 28, 1916: salvage of ss. Oldfield Grange by H.M. ships Seahorse, Lincoln, Pert, and Swarthy, June 8-12, 1917; salvage of s.s. Forsvaret by H.M. yacht Venetia 11., Dec. 17-19, 1917; salvage of s.s. Tuna by H.M. ship Thistle July 12-15, 1916.
