HMT Repro
HMT Repro. (Adty No FY 1138) 26/04/1917
Displacement: 230 grt.
Length: 35.7m. Beam: 6.7m. Draught: 3.5m
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery: Holmes C. D. & Co. Ltd., Hull
Complement: 13 officers and men.
Men Lost: 13
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr
Displacement: 230 grt.
Length: 35.7m. Beam: 6.7m. Draught: 3.5m
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery: Holmes C. D. & Co. Ltd., Hull
Complement: 13 officers and men.
Men Lost: 13
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr
The steel steam trawler Repro was built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd. Hull in 1910 for Sleight, George F, Grimsby and given the registration GY 510. The machinery was made by Holmes C. D. & Co. Ltd., Hull.
History
Lloyd's List - Saturday 14 May 1910
REPRO.—On April 13 a steel steamer of about 230 tons gross, named Repro, was launched at Beverley. Owner : G. F. Sleight. Port of registry : Grimsby.
History
Lloyd's List - Saturday 14 May 1910
REPRO.—On April 13 a steel steamer of about 230 tons gross, named Repro, was launched at Beverley. Owner : G. F. Sleight. Port of registry : Grimsby.
Lloyd's List - Wednesday 03 September 1913
ENGLISH PRINCE (s) London. Sept 2. The steam trawler Repro. of Grimsby. was in collision Aug 23. 80 miles NNE Spurn, with the trawler English Prince, which .sank. The Repro was undamaged.
Newcastle Journal - Tuesday 27 January 1914
THE LOSS OF A TYNE TRAWLER. Claim for Damages against Grimsby Firm. In the Admiralty Court, yesterday, the master and crew the North Shields steam-trawler English Prince, which was sunk in collision with the Grimsby trawler Repro, about 46 miles off the Tyne, claimed damages from the owners of the latter vessel. The plaintiffs' case was that, notwithstanding the fact that the English Prince made signals, the Repro altered her course and struck her violently that she sank. The defendants said the Repro kept her course and speed, and that the English Prince, approaching a crossing course, failed to keep out of the way. Court found the English Prince alone to blame for not keeping out of the way of the Repro, whose duty it was keep her course.
The Loss
HMT Repro, together with HMT Taranaki were ordered to the Firth of Forth to escort the oiler RFA Scotol through the Inchkeith Channel. The pair were steaming south and when about three miles south east of Tod Head Lighthouse there was a large explosion and HMT Repro disappeared. HMT Taranaki immediately went to the area of the explosion and conducted a search for survivors. All that was found was a life-ring. There were no survivors from the crew of 13.
Extract from ADM 116/1516 - Bi Monthly Minesweeping Statement No 118 - 1st to 15th May 1917.
Group A. HMT 1138 'Repro' mined Lat: 56 52N 2 08W. 1 mine.
GROUP ''A'' On April 26th HMT ''Repro'' while on passage to Girdleness is considered to have struck a mine: a loud explosion was heard at 10 p.m., her consort was unable to find any trace of her although she was not far distant and proceeded at once to the spot. The position was 56 52N 1 28W. Sweeping was carried out in vicinity by 3rd Fleet Sweeping Flotilla, but no further German mines were found
GROUP ''A'' On April 26th HMT ''Repro'' while on passage to Girdleness is considered to have struck a mine: a loud explosion was heard at 10 p.m., her consort was unable to find any trace of her although she was not far distant and proceeded at once to the spot. The position was 56 52N 1 28W. Sweeping was carried out in vicinity by 3rd Fleet Sweeping Flotilla, but no further German mines were found
UC-41
UC-41 (Kptlt. Kurt Bernis)
Most books and official documents attribute the loss of HMT Repro to a mine laid by UC-41 in mid April 1917.
ADM 137/1280 ''Loss of H.M. Trawler REPRO'' and ADM 116-1516 - Bi Monthly Minesweeping Statement No 119 - 16th to 30th May 1917 both give the sinking position of HMT Repro as being off Todhead Lighthouse.
The KTB for UC-41 was obtained and it was found that 3 minefield were laid during the April 1917 patrol. These were plotted and none of them are in the vicinity of Tod Head, One was 12 miles north off Portlethen, the second was 35 miles south off Fife Ness and the third off St Abbs Head.
Most books and official documents attribute the loss of HMT Repro to a mine laid by UC-41 in mid April 1917.
ADM 137/1280 ''Loss of H.M. Trawler REPRO'' and ADM 116-1516 - Bi Monthly Minesweeping Statement No 119 - 16th to 30th May 1917 both give the sinking position of HMT Repro as being off Todhead Lighthouse.
The KTB for UC-41 was obtained and it was found that 3 minefield were laid during the April 1917 patrol. These were plotted and none of them are in the vicinity of Tod Head, One was 12 miles north off Portlethen, the second was 35 miles south off Fife Ness and the third off St Abbs Head.
Positions of mine lines and charts from KTB UC-41 - 11th to 26th April 1917
From the evidence above we can only conclude that another U Boat was responsible for the loss of HMT Repro.
Chart showing distance of UC-41 mines and HMT Repro sinking position
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UC-77
UC-77 (Kptlt. Reinhard von Rabenau)
'Arno Spindler in his work 'Der Krieg zur See 1914-1918: Handelskrieg mit U-Booten,'' has maps showing mine laying positions and has such a line ''minensperre 48'' off Tod Head having been laid by UC-77 on 27th March 1917.
'Arno Spindler in his work 'Der Krieg zur See 1914-1918: Handelskrieg mit U-Booten,'' has maps showing mine laying positions and has such a line ''minensperre 48'' off Tod Head having been laid by UC-77 on 27th March 1917.
Spindler - minesperre: 48
The KTB from UC-77, 15 March - 1st April 1917, was obtained.
Extract from KTB UC-77
-- 27/3/1917
Translation from KTB UC-77
26 III 17. Course west off Tod Head.
Laid aground near Johnshaven in 34m(sand). The boat was lying badly, lurching up to 25° , the leakage in the pressure body after laying down was almost impossible, the reserve torpedo was taken out and loaded. Duration 2 hours. Went well despite some lurching. Gyro compass and Starboard motor repaired
gez von Rabenau
27 III 17. 5 a.m. Surfaced, course NNE off Tod Head. In Twilight, 2 sea miles from lighthouse 6 mines laid, a 2000 t steamer passing across the course but to attack was not possible.
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26 III 17. Course west off Tod Head.
Laid aground near Johnshaven in 34m(sand). The boat was lying badly, lurching up to 25° , the leakage in the pressure body after laying down was almost impossible, the reserve torpedo was taken out and loaded. Duration 2 hours. Went well despite some lurching. Gyro compass and Starboard motor repaired
gez von Rabenau
27 III 17. 5 a.m. Surfaced, course NNE off Tod Head. In Twilight, 2 sea miles from lighthouse 6 mines laid, a 2000 t steamer passing across the course but to attack was not possible.
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Minesweeping Report
ADM 116/1516 - Bi Monthly Minesweeping Statement No 119 - 16th to 30th May 1917
The mines were not discovered until 16th May and only four mines swept. It is most likely that one of the two missing mines accounted for the loss of HMT Repro.
The Wreck
HMT Repro (Probably) has UKHO Wreck Card 70430.
The wreck thought to be HMT Repro was located during a Gardline survey in 2007. Wreck was located in 56 49.480N, 02 07.658W in 53m. The wreck in 40m long 9m wide with a height of 5.8m.
The record was updated a year later giving a length of 41m width of 10m and height of 6.5m, orientated 090/270. The wreck is described as ''upright and intact'' and with a ''moderate magnetic anomaly''
This wrecks dimensions do not match those of HMT Repro and this wreck is 4.6 NM from Todhead Lighthouse
Local divers have since identified this wreck as probably the HMT Lowdock lost in 1940.
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UKHO Wreck Card 99535 represents an unknown wreck located 1.4 NM from Todhead lighthouse in position 56°52,226'N 02°10,78'W.
The dimensions recorded are 35 x 8,5 x 5,1m. General comments say: Upright. Slightly degraded. Bow and boiler visible. Stern Collapsed.
There are no surveying details on the wreck card. The wreck was located on the 25/03/2022 and sits in a depth of 35m.
It is probable, due to size and location, that this is the wreck site of HMT Repro.
The wreck thought to be HMT Repro was located during a Gardline survey in 2007. Wreck was located in 56 49.480N, 02 07.658W in 53m. The wreck in 40m long 9m wide with a height of 5.8m.
The record was updated a year later giving a length of 41m width of 10m and height of 6.5m, orientated 090/270. The wreck is described as ''upright and intact'' and with a ''moderate magnetic anomaly''
This wrecks dimensions do not match those of HMT Repro and this wreck is 4.6 NM from Todhead Lighthouse
Local divers have since identified this wreck as probably the HMT Lowdock lost in 1940.
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UKHO Wreck Card 99535 represents an unknown wreck located 1.4 NM from Todhead lighthouse in position 56°52,226'N 02°10,78'W.
The dimensions recorded are 35 x 8,5 x 5,1m. General comments say: Upright. Slightly degraded. Bow and boiler visible. Stern Collapsed.
There are no surveying details on the wreck card. The wreck was located on the 25/03/2022 and sits in a depth of 35m.
It is probable, due to size and location, that this is the wreck site of HMT Repro.
Wreck 99535 Photo UKHO - Clinton Marine Survey
Chart showing positions of wrecks. (UKHO)
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Photos from possible HMT Repro. Photos: Naomi Watson
Crew Lost †26/04/1917
Name - ALLEN, William Henry (22),
DOB - 10 Sep 1894
Place of Birth -Marazion, Cornwall
Parents - Son of Henry and Jemima Allen, of Sea View, Prussia Cove, Marazion, Cornwall,
Early History -
Rank - Leading Deckhand (no. 12929DA) RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Sea View, Prussia Cove, is top right on skyline.
Sources:
BT 377/7/5983
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
BT 377/7/5983
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - GAY, Thomas (30),
DOB - 27th February 1887
Place of Birth - Pittenween, Fife
Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gay, of 2, Colmans Wynd, Pittenweem, Fife,
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 9126DA) RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 27th February 1887
Place of Birth - Pittenween, Fife
Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gay, of 2, Colmans Wynd, Pittenweem, Fife,
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 9126DA) RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Pittenweem War Memorial Photo: Chaz 23
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - INGRAM, Robert Tocher (24)
DOB - 24th December 1889
Place of Birth -Old Mill, Aberdeen
Parents -
Early History - Husband of Helen Thomson (formerly Ingram), of 523, Gt. Northern Rd., Woodside, Aberdeen,
Rank - Trimmer (no. 6287TS), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 04 May 1917
DROWNED
Mrs Ingram, 523 Northern Road. Aberdeen, been notified that her husband, Mr Tocher Ingrain, has been drowned off an H.M. trawler. He was 23 years of age
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 04 May 1917
DROWNED
Mr Robert Tocher Ingram, engineer, has been drowned off H.M. trawler. He was 23 years ' of age.
DOB - 24th December 1889
Place of Birth -Old Mill, Aberdeen
Parents -
Early History - Husband of Helen Thomson (formerly Ingram), of 523, Gt. Northern Rd., Woodside, Aberdeen,
Rank - Trimmer (no. 6287TS), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 04 May 1917
DROWNED
Mrs Ingram, 523 Northern Road. Aberdeen, been notified that her husband, Mr Tocher Ingrain, has been drowned off an H.M. trawler. He was 23 years of age
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 04 May 1917
DROWNED
Mr Robert Tocher Ingram, engineer, has been drowned off H.M. trawler. He was 23 years ' of age.
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - KAVANAGH, Jonathan Charles (45)
DOB - 26th October 1872
Place of Birth - Grimsby
Parents - Son of Henry Kavanagh & Rachel Sharman
Early History - Unofficial Wife: Florence Fanthorpe, 68 Colombia Road, Grimsby
Rank - Engineman (no. 2147ES), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 26th October 1872
Place of Birth - Grimsby
Parents - Son of Henry Kavanagh & Rachel Sharman
Early History - Unofficial Wife: Florence Fanthorpe, 68 Colombia Road, Grimsby
Rank - Engineman (no. 2147ES), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - KEAY, Alexander Coull (25)
DOB - 6th July 1892
Place of Birth -Port Gordon, Banffs
Parents - Son of Jessie Keay, of 29, Rodger St., Cellardyke, Anstruther, Fife; and the late Alex. Keay,
Early History -
Rank - Second Hand (no. 811SA), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 6th July 1892
Place of Birth -Port Gordon, Banffs
Parents - Son of Jessie Keay, of 29, Rodger St., Cellardyke, Anstruther, Fife; and the late Alex. Keay,
Early History -
Rank - Second Hand (no. 811SA), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - LYALL, Charles Baillie (18),
DOB - 17th June 1898
Place of Birth -Cockenzie, Haddingtonshire, Scotland
Parents - Son of Alexander Lyall Helen Baillie 54a, Main Street, Cockenzie, Haddington
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 12520DA), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 17th June 1898
Place of Birth -Cockenzie, Haddingtonshire, Scotland
Parents - Son of Alexander Lyall Helen Baillie 54a, Main Street, Cockenzie, Haddington
Early History -
Rank - Deckhand (no. 12520DA), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Port Seton & Cockenzie War Memorial Photo: © Susan Eldridge (WMR-82715)
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - PACKER, John Edward
DOB - 9th September 1880
Place of Birth - Upchurch, Kent
Parents - Son of James Alfred Packer & Caroline Hannah Mirams
Early History - Wife: Jane-mary 2, Otterham Quay, Upchurch, Rainham, Kent
Rank - Deckhand (no. 3183SD),
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 9th September 1880
Place of Birth - Upchurch, Kent
Parents - Son of James Alfred Packer & Caroline Hannah Mirams
Early History - Wife: Jane-mary 2, Otterham Quay, Upchurch, Rainham, Kent
Rank - Deckhand (no. 3183SD),
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Upchurch, Kent ,War Memorial
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - PRESCOTT, James (40),
DOB - 12th October 1877
Place of Birth -Dover, Kent,
Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Prescott, of Dover;
Early History - Husband of Florence Minnie Prescott ; 52, Island Wall, Whitstable, Kent
Rank - Deckhand (no. 18SD), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 12th October 1877
Place of Birth -Dover, Kent,
Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Prescott, of Dover;
Early History - Husband of Florence Minnie Prescott ; 52, Island Wall, Whitstable, Kent
Rank - Deckhand (no. 18SD), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Whitstable War Memorial
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - ROBINSON, Herbert Shaw (32)
DOB - 2nd October 1886
Place of Birth - Ashby, Sounthorpe, Lincs
Parents - Son of Joseph and Emma Shaw Robinson;
Early History - Husband of the late Lavinia Robinson, of 3, Havelock St., Grimsby,
Rank - Engineman (no. 2148ES) RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 2nd October 1886
Place of Birth - Ashby, Sounthorpe, Lincs
Parents - Son of Joseph and Emma Shaw Robinson;
Early History - Husband of the late Lavinia Robinson, of 3, Havelock St., Grimsby,
Rank - Engineman (no. 2148ES) RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - SYLVESTER, James (31)
DOB - 20th March 1885
Place of Birth - Ilkeston, Derbyshire,
Parents - Son of James and Fanny Sylvester;
Early History - Husband of Agnes Sylvester, of 87, Pleasance, Edinburgh
Rank - Trimmer (no. 212TS), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 20th March 1885
Place of Birth - Ilkeston, Derbyshire,
Parents - Son of James and Fanny Sylvester;
Early History - Husband of Agnes Sylvester, of 87, Pleasance, Edinburgh
Rank - Trimmer (no. 212TS), RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - THOMPSON, Herbert Edward (43)
DOB - 1874
Place of Birth -
Parents - Son of James and Elizabeth Thompson, of Gorleston, Great Yarmouth
Early History - Husband of Alice Maud Norton Thompson, of 7, Portland St., Aberdeen
Rank - Skipper, RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Evening Express - Monday 30 April 1917
ROLL OF HONOUR
THOMPSON-Killed sea on the 26th Inst. Herbert E- Thompson, skipper. R.N.R., dearly loved husband Alice Maud Norton, 7 Portland Street (late skipper in the Walker Steam Trawling Company).
DOB - 1874
Place of Birth -
Parents - Son of James and Elizabeth Thompson, of Gorleston, Great Yarmouth
Early History - Husband of Alice Maud Norton Thompson, of 7, Portland St., Aberdeen
Rank - Skipper, RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Evening Express - Monday 30 April 1917
ROLL OF HONOUR
THOMPSON-Killed sea on the 26th Inst. Herbert E- Thompson, skipper. R.N.R., dearly loved husband Alice Maud Norton, 7 Portland Street (late skipper in the Walker Steam Trawling Company).
Scotland, National Probate Index
Sources:
CWGC
Scotland, National Probate Index
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
CWGC
Scotland, National Probate Index
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - UNDERWOOD, George Parkes (19),
DOB - 16th July 1897
Place of Birth -Born at Bilston, Staffs
Parents - Son of George Richard and Kate Underwood, of 74, Wood Rd., Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
Early History -
Rank - Signalman (no. Bristol Z/9153) RNVR
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
DOB - 16th July 1897
Place of Birth -Born at Bilston, Staffs
Parents - Son of George Richard and Kate Underwood, of 74, Wood Rd., Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
Early History -
Rank - Signalman (no. Bristol Z/9153) RNVR
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Name - WEST William Robert
DOB - 23rd December 1869
Place of Birth -South Shields, Durham
Parents - Son of William Robert West & Harriet Watts Storey
Early History - Sister: Mrs Harriet Hannah, Miles 201 Hope Street Grimsby Lincs
Rank - Deckhand (no. 3117DA) RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
DOB - 23rd December 1869
Place of Birth -South Shields, Durham
Parents - Son of William Robert West & Harriet Watts Storey
Early History - Sister: Mrs Harriet Hannah, Miles 201 Hope Street Grimsby Lincs
Rank - Deckhand (no. 3117DA) RNR
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
CWGC
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Tod Head Lighthouse - Photo: Mike Stephen - mstphoto
