HMT Thomas Collard
Admiralty Strath class trawler
HMT Thomas Collard. (No ) 01/03/1918
Displacement: 215 grt.
Length: 37.6 m. Beam: 6.7 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: officers and men.
Armament: 1 x 6pdr deck gun
Displacement: 215 grt.
Length: 37.6 m. Beam: 6.7 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: officers and men.
Armament: 1 x 6pdr deck gun
The Strath class Admiralty Trawler Thomas Collard was built by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd., Paisley in 1917.
The Loss
H.M.T. Thomas Collard was near to H.M.S. Calgarian when U-19 (Johannes Spieß) fired a torpedo at the armed cruiser. The concussion of the explosion caused catastrophic damage to the hull of Thomas Collard and she started taking in water. The crew were all saved but some were injured and then the trawler sank,
H.M.T Lord Lister was also damaged by the explosion but did not sink.
H.M.T Lord Lister was also damaged by the explosion but did not sink.
ADM 1/8519/87 Loss of HMS CALGARIAN and HM Trawler THOMAS COLLARD. Damage to HM Trawler LORD ULSTER.
SUBJECT:- Loss of H.M.S. ''CALGARIAN''
No . /128/12. ADMIRALTY.
M-
Torpedoing of H.M.S. "CALGARIAN" Loss of H.M.T. "Thomas Collard".
Enclosures
reports from Captain D2. "Moresby" "Beagle" "Rosemary" "Thomas Collard".
No report regarding the loss of H.M.S. "Calgarian" was received by Commodore Larne who informs me Captain of "Calgarian" went to Admiralty and would render a report there. H.M.T. "War Duke" landed 3 Officers and 141 men at A list is attached.
Londonderry.
A further reference to sinking of "Calgarian" is given in Commodore Larne's Submission 2359/27 of 2nd March '18.
2."
Whilst alongside "Calgarian" the explosion of torpedoes fired at ship after she was first torpedoed damaged the Trawlers "Thomas Collard" and "Lord Lister" so seriously that the former sank shortly afterwards, whilst the latter had to be beached in Church Bay, Rathlin Island.
3.-
The greater number of the crew of "Thomas Collard" including Skipper William Buchan, 2226 W.S.A. were injured and all the crew were landed at Larne - vide my telegram 245 of 4th March.
4.-
-
Crew of "Lord Lister" remained on board. report from the Commanding Officer has yet been received.
5.-
Further details will be reported when received.
M-
Torpedoing of H.M.S. "CALGARIAN" Loss of H.M.T. "Thomas Collard".
Enclosures
reports from Captain D2. "Moresby" "Beagle" "Rosemary" "Thomas Collard".
No report regarding the loss of H.M.S. "Calgarian" was received by Commodore Larne who informs me Captain of "Calgarian" went to Admiralty and would render a report there. H.M.T. "War Duke" landed 3 Officers and 141 men at A list is attached.
Londonderry.
A further reference to sinking of "Calgarian" is given in Commodore Larne's Submission 2359/27 of 2nd March '18.
2."
Whilst alongside "Calgarian" the explosion of torpedoes fired at ship after she was first torpedoed damaged the Trawlers "Thomas Collard" and "Lord Lister" so seriously that the former sank shortly afterwards, whilst the latter had to be beached in Church Bay, Rathlin Island.
3.-
The greater number of the crew of "Thomas Collard" including Skipper William Buchan, 2226 W.S.A. were injured and all the crew were landed at Larne - vide my telegram 245 of 4th March.
4.-
-
Crew of "Lord Lister" remained on board. report from the Commanding Officer has yet been received.
5.-
Further details will be reported when received.
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COURT OF ENQUIRY
HELD
AT
H.M. NAVAL BASE, LARNE HARBOUR.
ON 20TH. MARCH. 1918.
RE LOSS OF H.M.T. "THOMAS COLLARD" (3686).
ON 1ST.MARCH. 1918.
HELD
AT
H.M. NAVAL BASE, LARNE HARBOUR.
ON 20TH. MARCH. 1918.
RE LOSS OF H.M.T. "THOMAS COLLARD" (3686).
ON 1ST.MARCH. 1918.
WILLIAM BUCHAN, SKIPPER, "THOMAS COLLARD" (3686).
Called and cautioned.
1. 9. Were you the Skipper of the "Thomas Bollard" on the 1st March 1918?
A. Yes Sir.
2. 4. Were you present in the "Thomas Collard" when the H.M.S."Calgarian" was sunk?
A. Yes Sir.
3. Q. Tell me everything that happened on that night as far as you remember?
A. On the night of the 28th. February we were under orders of the Lieutenant R.N.R. of "Lord Lister" No.1568, we came out of Moville at 7 a.m. and cruising towards Inishtrahull, had been observing "Calgarian" for some considerable time. About 4.30.p.m. when she was 3 to 4 miles away, I heard and saw a heavy explosion on the foreside of his Bridge, I immediately put my helm hard astarboard, all the Guns' crew ordered to their stations, I got my Depth Charges ready for letting go, and proceeded at full speed in his direction, on getting close to him I made a signal to the Captain - "Do you want me alongside" - he replied - "Stand by my stern" which I proceeded to do. About two minutes later he made another signal telling me to say that he required 2 Drifters to start and tow him, I then went by his Port side and put two warps aboard, and commenced to tow him, then he told me to tow the "Lord Lister" who was across his bows with a propellor e fouled by a Hemp Hawser clear from him. I asked the Captain of the "Calgarian" to let go my warps, which was done, I then took the "Lord Lister's" wire and towed him clear. I was then told to come alongside and tow amidships again; we were just making fast for the second time when an explosion occurred, I was cut across the face, and sprained ankle, but was not rendered unconscious. I saw the Chief Engineer, and asked him whether he could move the engines, he said "Yes" and I told him to go down below and come up again, as I thought the ship was sinking,- during this time the men from the "Calgarian" were jumping on board, and although I did not know the number, my ship appeared to be full of them. Shortly afterwards the "Corrie Roy" came alongside me and took me and my men off, and the men from the "Calgarian", my ship going down 4 minutes after I left her.
4. Q. What do you think caused the explosion which damaged the "Thomas Collard"?
A. I do not know.
5. 2. What was the behaviour of your crew after the explosion?
A. After the explosion they all appeared to be practically insensable from shock.
6. Q. Do you know if your Engineman got your pumps going after the "Thomas Collard" started to fill?
A. No; I do not know, he came and reported to me, and he was very much dazed, I ordered him to go below again to see if he could do anything, but as far as I know he was unable to start the pumps.
7. Q. Did you see the wake of a torpedo?
A. No Sir.
WITNESS REMAINED IN COURT
Called and cautioned.
1. 9. Were you the Skipper of the "Thomas Bollard" on the 1st March 1918?
A. Yes Sir.
2. 4. Were you present in the "Thomas Collard" when the H.M.S."Calgarian" was sunk?
A. Yes Sir.
3. Q. Tell me everything that happened on that night as far as you remember?
A. On the night of the 28th. February we were under orders of the Lieutenant R.N.R. of "Lord Lister" No.1568, we came out of Moville at 7 a.m. and cruising towards Inishtrahull, had been observing "Calgarian" for some considerable time. About 4.30.p.m. when she was 3 to 4 miles away, I heard and saw a heavy explosion on the foreside of his Bridge, I immediately put my helm hard astarboard, all the Guns' crew ordered to their stations, I got my Depth Charges ready for letting go, and proceeded at full speed in his direction, on getting close to him I made a signal to the Captain - "Do you want me alongside" - he replied - "Stand by my stern" which I proceeded to do. About two minutes later he made another signal telling me to say that he required 2 Drifters to start and tow him, I then went by his Port side and put two warps aboard, and commenced to tow him, then he told me to tow the "Lord Lister" who was across his bows with a propellor e fouled by a Hemp Hawser clear from him. I asked the Captain of the "Calgarian" to let go my warps, which was done, I then took the "Lord Lister's" wire and towed him clear. I was then told to come alongside and tow amidships again; we were just making fast for the second time when an explosion occurred, I was cut across the face, and sprained ankle, but was not rendered unconscious. I saw the Chief Engineer, and asked him whether he could move the engines, he said "Yes" and I told him to go down below and come up again, as I thought the ship was sinking,- during this time the men from the "Calgarian" were jumping on board, and although I did not know the number, my ship appeared to be full of them. Shortly afterwards the "Corrie Roy" came alongside me and took me and my men off, and the men from the "Calgarian", my ship going down 4 minutes after I left her.
4. Q. What do you think caused the explosion which damaged the "Thomas Collard"?
A. I do not know.
5. 2. What was the behaviour of your crew after the explosion?
A. After the explosion they all appeared to be practically insensable from shock.
6. Q. Do you know if your Engineman got your pumps going after the "Thomas Collard" started to fill?
A. No; I do not know, he came and reported to me, and he was very much dazed, I ordered him to go below again to see if he could do anything, but as far as I know he was unable to start the pumps.
7. Q. Did you see the wake of a torpedo?
A. No Sir.
WITNESS REMAINED IN COURT
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LARNE HARBOUR
20th March 1918.
Sir,
With reference to your Memorandum of 19th March 1918, No.27 E, we have the honour to report that the Court, having held a complete and careful enquiry into the circumstances attending the loss of H.M.T. "THOMAS COLLARD" are of opinion that it was due to a torpedo fired from an Enemy Submarine, striking H.M.S. "CALGARIAN" directly under the position wheRC"THOMAS COLLARD" was lying alongside.
2.
We exonerate Skipper, William Buchan, and the crew from all blane, and we further consider that "THOMAS COLLARD" was handled with considerable ability, that Mr. Buchan showed most conspicuous gallantry under very trying circumstances, in that there were 7 explosions close to him, and that he did not loose his presence of mind although badly hurt, but took his ship alongside "CALGARIAN" twice to take her in tow and take off the His action in crew, and also towed "LORD LISTER" clear. remembering his Depth Charges is particularly commendable.
3. We also find that the discipline and zeal on board "THOMAS COLLARD" was admirable, and particularly commend Engineman T.Lyons in that although blown on deck by the force of the explosion in the first instance, he went below on regaining consciousness and continued to work his engines until up to his neck in water.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servants,,
With reference to your Memorandum of 19th March 1918, No.27 E, we have the honour to report that the Court, having held a complete and careful enquiry into the circumstances attending the loss of H.M.T. "THOMAS COLLARD" are of opinion that it was due to a torpedo fired from an Enemy Submarine, striking H.M.S. "CALGARIAN" directly under the position wheRC"THOMAS COLLARD" was lying alongside.
2.
We exonerate Skipper, William Buchan, and the crew from all blane, and we further consider that "THOMAS COLLARD" was handled with considerable ability, that Mr. Buchan showed most conspicuous gallantry under very trying circumstances, in that there were 7 explosions close to him, and that he did not loose his presence of mind although badly hurt, but took his ship alongside "CALGARIAN" twice to take her in tow and take off the His action in crew, and also towed "LORD LISTER" clear. remembering his Depth Charges is particularly commendable.
3. We also find that the discipline and zeal on board "THOMAS COLLARD" was admirable, and particularly commend Engineman T.Lyons in that although blown on deck by the force of the explosion in the first instance, he went below on regaining consciousness and continued to work his engines until up to his neck in water.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servants,,
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The Wreck
HMT Thomas Collard has no UKHO wreck card and to date has not officially been found.
Crew
ADM 1/8519/87 Loss of HMS CALGARIAN and HM Trawler THOMAS COLLARD. Damage to HM Trawler LORD ULSTER.
