Revenue cutter, H.M.S. Active
13/11/1901
Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 15 November 1901
THE DISASTER AT GRANTON
Whilst it was unsafe to be abroad on land the dangers of the men who go down to the sea in ships was tenfold greater. Evidence of this was given in the disaster which overtook the Revenue cutter, H.M.S. Active, which had been moored about a mile and a-half off the breakwater at Granton.
Throughout the Tuesday the vessel -- a sailing one -- seemed to be riding out the storm, and it is said that the assistance of harbour tugs was offered and refused. At the darkening there was little appearance of the ship being in danger, though the watchers on the pier shook their heads doubtfully as they looked into the gloom and witnessed the little vessel tossed about by the huge rolling waves that had done and were doing so much damage all around.
The Active was a sailing ship of 135 tons, and carried a crew of 27, two of whom were in hospital on board the Anson, and other two who had fortunately gone on shore leave before the storm sprang up, and had been unable to rejoin on account of the high sea running. The ship was attached to the guardship Anson as a tender, and during the herring fishing season she had been principally employed in Revenue protection. Her crew were mostly all experienced seamen, and she was commanded by Captain Charles Culley. During the winter months she has been mainly engaged in instructional cruising in the Forth but, curiously enough, she had lately taken up a new anchorage at Granton, and one more exposed to the easterly gales.
Shortly after two o'clock in the morning distress lights were fired from the ship, and the worst fears began to be entertained by the watchers on shore. Little or no assistance, however, could have been given the vessel in such a sea, and the spectators, conscious of coming disaster, could only hope to rescue such of the crew as might be cast ashore. About half-past three the Active, driven from here moorings, was dashed upon the breakwater. Great waves lashed furiously over her decks, masts and riggings went, and in a few minutes the doomed vessel was broken in splinters.
When he saw that the ship was likely to strike, Captain Culley ordered the crew to take to the rigging, but there was little time or opportunity given for saving life, and soon all were engulfed. Shrieks of drowning men were heard above the roar of the sea, and the pounding and crashing of the ship's hull upon the rocks sounded its certain doom.
At one time five of the crew, including, it is said, the captain, obtained a hold on the breakwater, but the next billow tore them form their grasp, and, as it turned out, two were washed right into the harbour, while the others were sucked back again into the sea. Attracted by their cries, the pier officials strained every effort to save the men who had providentially been tossed into the relatively smooth water of the basin. Here Captain Wahlstrom, of the Swedish steamer Bele, his officers, and crew strained every effort, and an ordinary seaman named Wm. Travis was the first to be rescued. George Dady, another ordinary seaman, was picked up in the like fashion by the crew. Both were quickly taken care of in the Customs House and were restored to consciousness.
The third survivor, George Pearce, had a more exciting experience. He had taken to the rigging, and after the Active struck, the next to which he clung fell overboard. He managed to get on to the breakwater, and desperately held on to the ledge of rock. The scanty clothes he wore were torn off him, but he succeeded in crawling on hands and knees along the breakwater to the shore, and when found wandering about was quite naked, and considerably bruised. Dr Miller, Trinity Crescent, and Dr Thomson, Leopold Place, Edinburgh, rendered valuable service to the three men, and at seven o'clock in the morning they were removed to the Royal Infirmary in ambulances.
NAMES OF THE MEN DROWNED.
The following is a list of the officers and men drowned:--
OFFICERS
Captain Charles Culley, married, Park Road, Trinity.
Chief-Quartermaster James Donovan, Kingston.
Carpenter's Mate Harry Williams, married. Pembroke.
Petty Officer, 2nd class, Reubin Weller, Kent.
ABLE SEAMEN
Richard Pearson, London.
Edward Farrow, Durham.
George Gregory, married, London.
William Burton, London.
Frank Randall, London
William Thompson, Hartlepool.
Edward Plummer, married, London.
ORDINARY SEAMEN
Thomas Temple, John Walker, Arthur Preynn, Arthur Banham, William Melling, John Buttons, James Lyall, John Mulvaney, Thomas Amos.
Of the survivors, William Travis belongs to 32 West Union Street, Salford; George Dady hails from Great Yarmouth; and George Pearce from Shoreham. The three are rapidly recovering form their trying experiences. Captain Culley, who is survived by his wife and six children, the eldest of whom is 17, had been in command of the Active for some time. He resided at Park Road, Trinity and on the night of the disaster his wife remained out of bed in consequence of the violence of the storm. At daybreak she saw no signs of her husband's ship, and soon after her fears that something amiss had happened were confirmed by the arrival of the Police-Superintendent Lamb and the mate, who conveyed to the family the sad intelligence.
THE DISASTER AT GRANTON
Whilst it was unsafe to be abroad on land the dangers of the men who go down to the sea in ships was tenfold greater. Evidence of this was given in the disaster which overtook the Revenue cutter, H.M.S. Active, which had been moored about a mile and a-half off the breakwater at Granton.
Throughout the Tuesday the vessel -- a sailing one -- seemed to be riding out the storm, and it is said that the assistance of harbour tugs was offered and refused. At the darkening there was little appearance of the ship being in danger, though the watchers on the pier shook their heads doubtfully as they looked into the gloom and witnessed the little vessel tossed about by the huge rolling waves that had done and were doing so much damage all around.
The Active was a sailing ship of 135 tons, and carried a crew of 27, two of whom were in hospital on board the Anson, and other two who had fortunately gone on shore leave before the storm sprang up, and had been unable to rejoin on account of the high sea running. The ship was attached to the guardship Anson as a tender, and during the herring fishing season she had been principally employed in Revenue protection. Her crew were mostly all experienced seamen, and she was commanded by Captain Charles Culley. During the winter months she has been mainly engaged in instructional cruising in the Forth but, curiously enough, she had lately taken up a new anchorage at Granton, and one more exposed to the easterly gales.
Shortly after two o'clock in the morning distress lights were fired from the ship, and the worst fears began to be entertained by the watchers on shore. Little or no assistance, however, could have been given the vessel in such a sea, and the spectators, conscious of coming disaster, could only hope to rescue such of the crew as might be cast ashore. About half-past three the Active, driven from here moorings, was dashed upon the breakwater. Great waves lashed furiously over her decks, masts and riggings went, and in a few minutes the doomed vessel was broken in splinters.
When he saw that the ship was likely to strike, Captain Culley ordered the crew to take to the rigging, but there was little time or opportunity given for saving life, and soon all were engulfed. Shrieks of drowning men were heard above the roar of the sea, and the pounding and crashing of the ship's hull upon the rocks sounded its certain doom.
At one time five of the crew, including, it is said, the captain, obtained a hold on the breakwater, but the next billow tore them form their grasp, and, as it turned out, two were washed right into the harbour, while the others were sucked back again into the sea. Attracted by their cries, the pier officials strained every effort to save the men who had providentially been tossed into the relatively smooth water of the basin. Here Captain Wahlstrom, of the Swedish steamer Bele, his officers, and crew strained every effort, and an ordinary seaman named Wm. Travis was the first to be rescued. George Dady, another ordinary seaman, was picked up in the like fashion by the crew. Both were quickly taken care of in the Customs House and were restored to consciousness.
The third survivor, George Pearce, had a more exciting experience. He had taken to the rigging, and after the Active struck, the next to which he clung fell overboard. He managed to get on to the breakwater, and desperately held on to the ledge of rock. The scanty clothes he wore were torn off him, but he succeeded in crawling on hands and knees along the breakwater to the shore, and when found wandering about was quite naked, and considerably bruised. Dr Miller, Trinity Crescent, and Dr Thomson, Leopold Place, Edinburgh, rendered valuable service to the three men, and at seven o'clock in the morning they were removed to the Royal Infirmary in ambulances.
NAMES OF THE MEN DROWNED.
The following is a list of the officers and men drowned:--
OFFICERS
Captain Charles Culley, married, Park Road, Trinity.
Chief-Quartermaster James Donovan, Kingston.
Carpenter's Mate Harry Williams, married. Pembroke.
Petty Officer, 2nd class, Reubin Weller, Kent.
ABLE SEAMEN
Richard Pearson, London.
Edward Farrow, Durham.
George Gregory, married, London.
William Burton, London.
Frank Randall, London
William Thompson, Hartlepool.
Edward Plummer, married, London.
ORDINARY SEAMEN
Thomas Temple, John Walker, Arthur Preynn, Arthur Banham, William Melling, John Buttons, James Lyall, John Mulvaney, Thomas Amos.
Of the survivors, William Travis belongs to 32 West Union Street, Salford; George Dady hails from Great Yarmouth; and George Pearce from Shoreham. The three are rapidly recovering form their trying experiences. Captain Culley, who is survived by his wife and six children, the eldest of whom is 17, had been in command of the Active for some time. He resided at Park Road, Trinity and on the night of the disaster his wife remained out of bed in consequence of the violence of the storm. At daybreak she saw no signs of her husband's ship, and soon after her fears that something amiss had happened were confirmed by the arrival of the Police-Superintendent Lamb and the mate, who conveyed to the family the sad intelligence.
Chart: Firth of Forth - Fisherrow to Port Edgar - UKHO
Bristol Times and Mirror - Friday 15 November 1901
THE LOSS OF H.M.S. ACTIVE. Dragging operations were conducted at Granton yesterday in the search for the bodies of the men drowned in the wreck of H.M.S. revenue cutter Active on Wednesday. Two additional bodies, making four in all, were recovered. From one portion of the skull was gone and the other had the arms twisted, as if deceased bad been clinging to come object. Two of the bodies have been identified as those of Richard Pearson and George Walker, able seamen. The men engaged in yesterday's operations state that they saw at the bottom of the sea a good deal of wreckage, under which they expect several bodies will be found. Operations are to be resumed this morning.
THE LOSS OF H.M.S. ACTIVE. Dragging operations were conducted at Granton yesterday in the search for the bodies of the men drowned in the wreck of H.M.S. revenue cutter Active on Wednesday. Two additional bodies, making four in all, were recovered. From one portion of the skull was gone and the other had the arms twisted, as if deceased bad been clinging to come object. Two of the bodies have been identified as those of Richard Pearson and George Walker, able seamen. The men engaged in yesterday's operations state that they saw at the bottom of the sea a good deal of wreckage, under which they expect several bodies will be found. Operations are to be resumed this morning.
Cork Examiner - Saturday 16 November 1901
LOSS OF THE ACTIVE. Two more bodies of the victims of the revenue cutter Active, which was wrecked off Granton breakwater, were found yesterday afternoon. The bodies are those of boy named Mulvaney and Williams, carpenter’s mate.
LOSS OF THE ACTIVE. Two more bodies of the victims of the revenue cutter Active, which was wrecked off Granton breakwater, were found yesterday afternoon. The bodies are those of boy named Mulvaney and Williams, carpenter’s mate.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 20 November 1901
THE SEARCH FOR THE BODIES.
Diving parties from H.M.S. Anson have arrived at Granton to search for the bodies of the Active’s crew. H.M.S. Cockchafer has crews dragging round the spot where the bodies were found on Friday. A misunderstanding seems have arisen over the identification of the second body found Friday, which was that Second Petty Officer Weller. No bodies were found Saturday.
THE SEARCH FOR THE BODIES.
Diving parties from H.M.S. Anson have arrived at Granton to search for the bodies of the Active’s crew. H.M.S. Cockchafer has crews dragging round the spot where the bodies were found on Friday. A misunderstanding seems have arisen over the identification of the second body found Friday, which was that Second Petty Officer Weller. No bodies were found Saturday.
Shields Daily News - Wednesday 20 November 1901
THE WRECK OF THE ACTIVE. The diving party from the guardship Anson were in readiness yesterday morning to resume operations for recovery of the remaining bodies, but the strong westerly gale which sprung up early morning continued to prevail all day, which prevented the resumption of the search. It is arranged, weather permitting, to make search on the outside of the breakwater, where the Active was wrecked, as it is believed some of the bodies may have got under the heavier portions of the wreck. On Monday evening one of the search party got his foot severely injured, which necessitated his removal to the Royal Infirmary,
THE WRECK OF THE ACTIVE. The diving party from the guardship Anson were in readiness yesterday morning to resume operations for recovery of the remaining bodies, but the strong westerly gale which sprung up early morning continued to prevail all day, which prevented the resumption of the search. It is arranged, weather permitting, to make search on the outside of the breakwater, where the Active was wrecked, as it is believed some of the bodies may have got under the heavier portions of the wreck. On Monday evening one of the search party got his foot severely injured, which necessitated his removal to the Royal Infirmary,
Shetland Times - Saturday 30 November 1901
The Active Wreck.— The wreck of the Active was sold at Granton on Saturday to Mr M'Kinnon, Leith, for £38.
The Active Wreck.— The wreck of the Active was sold at Granton on Saturday to Mr M'Kinnon, Leith, for £38.
Granton Harbour with breakwater on the right
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Wednesday, December 4th, 1901.
THE LOSS OF H.M.S. ACTIVE. FINDINGS OF THE COURT-MARTIAL.
The loss of H.M.S. Active on Granton breakwater formed the subject of a naval court-martial at Chatham yesterday. The prisoners, against whom there were no charges, were four of the five survivors out of the crew 25, viz., the second mate, John Donovan, Quartermaster William Walsenham, and two ordinary seamen. The other man is still in hospital.
According to Captain Fisher, who gave Culley, the chief officer of the Active, sailing instructions on or about October 26th, the Active was to be used for the instruction of young seamen of H.M.S. Anson when not otherwise engaged. Witness showed the best portions on the chart for anchoring, but the position in which the Active anchored, prior to being wrecked, was not one of those indicated. Twelve young seamen were among the complement of 27, and he thought two were left behind in the Anson.
Lieut. Carver, of the latter vessel, who was present when these instructions were given, said they could not find an anchorage to suit all winds, and Culley was told to use his discretion. Captain Fisher, recalled, expressed himself satisfied with the fitness of the Active for the work on which she was engaged, and the capacity of her commander.
The next witness, Donovan, considered that the Active could have slipped and run for shelter at the height of the gale but for the seasickness of a portion of the crew, through the jumping of the vessel at her cables, which precluded their being of use for working the ship in an emergency.
Quartermaster Walsenham agreed with this evidence, and Seaman Travis also stated very nearly all the crew were seasick. No tugs or vessels offered assistance, contrary to rumour. Walsenham, recalled, admitted that he saw tugs out, but denied that any came near the ship. The Court found that the vessel was lost through an endeavour to ride out the heavy gale, and expressed the opinion that the officer command would have shown better judgment had he either weighed or slipped and run for safety. After it was too late he appeared to have maintained discipline, and done all possible to save life. The Court also acquitted the survivors from all blame.
THE LOSS OF H.M.S. ACTIVE. FINDINGS OF THE COURT-MARTIAL.
The loss of H.M.S. Active on Granton breakwater formed the subject of a naval court-martial at Chatham yesterday. The prisoners, against whom there were no charges, were four of the five survivors out of the crew 25, viz., the second mate, John Donovan, Quartermaster William Walsenham, and two ordinary seamen. The other man is still in hospital.
According to Captain Fisher, who gave Culley, the chief officer of the Active, sailing instructions on or about October 26th, the Active was to be used for the instruction of young seamen of H.M.S. Anson when not otherwise engaged. Witness showed the best portions on the chart for anchoring, but the position in which the Active anchored, prior to being wrecked, was not one of those indicated. Twelve young seamen were among the complement of 27, and he thought two were left behind in the Anson.
Lieut. Carver, of the latter vessel, who was present when these instructions were given, said they could not find an anchorage to suit all winds, and Culley was told to use his discretion. Captain Fisher, recalled, expressed himself satisfied with the fitness of the Active for the work on which she was engaged, and the capacity of her commander.
The next witness, Donovan, considered that the Active could have slipped and run for shelter at the height of the gale but for the seasickness of a portion of the crew, through the jumping of the vessel at her cables, which precluded their being of use for working the ship in an emergency.
Quartermaster Walsenham agreed with this evidence, and Seaman Travis also stated very nearly all the crew were seasick. No tugs or vessels offered assistance, contrary to rumour. Walsenham, recalled, admitted that he saw tugs out, but denied that any came near the ship. The Court found that the vessel was lost through an endeavour to ride out the heavy gale, and expressed the opinion that the officer command would have shown better judgment had he either weighed or slipped and run for safety. After it was too late he appeared to have maintained discipline, and done all possible to save life. The Court also acquitted the survivors from all blame.
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper - Sunday 22 December 1901
THE GALE AND SNOW.
Five bodies of bluejackets on the Government cutter Active have been washed ashore as a result of the heavy seas which have been swept up the Firth of Forth by the north-east gale. One body was found two miles of Crnond and the others at Granton harbour, all nearly beyond recognition.
THE GALE AND SNOW.
Five bodies of bluejackets on the Government cutter Active have been washed ashore as a result of the heavy seas which have been swept up the Firth of Forth by the north-east gale. One body was found two miles of Crnond and the others at Granton harbour, all nearly beyond recognition.
Whitby Gazette - Friday 03 January 1902
The body of another of the bluejackets who perished in the wreck of H.M.S. Active in the Firth of Forth, during the great November gale, has been found in Granton Harbour.
The body of another of the bluejackets who perished in the wreck of H.M.S. Active in the Firth of Forth, during the great November gale, has been found in Granton Harbour.
Dundee Courier - Monday 27 January 1902
THE SEA GIVES ITS DEAD.
" ACTIVE " CAPTAIN'S BODY FOUND.
The body of Captain Charles Cully, of H.M. cutter Active, who was drowned in November last, along with 19 of his crew, by the wreck of the vessel off Granton, was on to the East Breakwater there yesterday morning. The body was identified means of the late captain's watch, which bore his name.
THE SEA GIVES ITS DEAD.
" ACTIVE " CAPTAIN'S BODY FOUND.
The body of Captain Charles Cully, of H.M. cutter Active, who was drowned in November last, along with 19 of his crew, by the wreck of the vessel off Granton, was on to the East Breakwater there yesterday morning. The body was identified means of the late captain's watch, which bore his name.
Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 28 January 1902
FUNERAL CAPTAIN CULLEY OF THE ACTIVE.
The funeral of Captain Charles Culley, the commander the ill-fated Active, which was wrecked off Harbour in the severe storm on November 13th last, took plr.ee from the Edinburgh Mortuary to-day to Seafield Cemetery with full naval honours. The body of the deceased officer was not recovered until Sunday morning, and was only identified through his watch, which was found in one of the pockets. The funeral was attended by a large party of bluejackets and officers from H.M.S. Anson. The coffin was wrapped in a Union Jack. The cortege attracted considerable attention during its passage through the streets. At the foot Easter Road the cortege was joined Mrs Culley and other relatives, who were all in mourning coaches. At the grave the Rev. P. M. Herford, Christ Church, Trinity, conducted the service, and three volleys were fired over the grave. The funeral was witnessed by a large assemblage of the public.
