Airship SSP 2 26/11/1917
The SSP Airships
The SSP ( Submarine Scout Pusher) airship was developed in early 1917 following the success of the Maurice Farman type using a re designed car with a rear mounted 75hp Rolls Royce engine giving a top speed of 52 mph. These engines were later changed for 100hp Green engines. The Car was rectangular, 25 foot long with a rounded nose and took a crew of three and on the bottom was a single landing skid. The 143.5 foot long envelope of the airship had a capacity of 70,000 cubic feet. Only six SSP airships were ever built.
Airship SSP 2
Airship SSP 2 left Caldale for operations to the north of the Orkney Islands at 08.50 on the morning of 26th November 1917. The weather on the day was considered favourable.
On board were:
Pilot Ft Lt Edward Bourchier Devereux
Engineer AM 1 Albert Edwin Scott
W/T LM (W/T) Edgar James Wilson.
By 10.00 the winds had freshened and the Airship, which was 17 miles NNW of the base sent a radio message saying she was intending to return to base and giving an ETA of 10.30. Ft Lt Devereux brought SSP 2 down to 200 feet hoping to find lighter winds. Things appear to be going ok with regular messages being sent back to base, one at 10.30 giving a new ETA of 11.30 and an update saying wind had increased to 30 knots. At 11.20 the SSP 2 reported engine failure and was going to make a free balloon landing in the sea to the NE of Papa Westray and requested assistance.
HMS Leopard and several drifters were patrolling in the area and at 11.40 a lookout on HMS Leopard reports seeing an Airship land on the sea then explode. Despite a search which went well on into the evening nothing of the crew or airship was found.
An enquiry found:
'' No satisfactory explanation can be given for the failure of the engine, as it was running perfectly when the airship left the ground. There was seven hours petrol at full speed on board. I consider that the envelope burst due to an excessive strain being brought on it by the suspensions, when the car hit the water. The envelope then probably collapsed on the car jamming the crew in their seats, and the whole ship sinking almost immediately.''
© Aviation Research Group Orkney & Shetland.
On board were:
Pilot Ft Lt Edward Bourchier Devereux
Engineer AM 1 Albert Edwin Scott
W/T LM (W/T) Edgar James Wilson.
By 10.00 the winds had freshened and the Airship, which was 17 miles NNW of the base sent a radio message saying she was intending to return to base and giving an ETA of 10.30. Ft Lt Devereux brought SSP 2 down to 200 feet hoping to find lighter winds. Things appear to be going ok with regular messages being sent back to base, one at 10.30 giving a new ETA of 11.30 and an update saying wind had increased to 30 knots. At 11.20 the SSP 2 reported engine failure and was going to make a free balloon landing in the sea to the NE of Papa Westray and requested assistance.
HMS Leopard and several drifters were patrolling in the area and at 11.40 a lookout on HMS Leopard reports seeing an Airship land on the sea then explode. Despite a search which went well on into the evening nothing of the crew or airship was found.
An enquiry found:
'' No satisfactory explanation can be given for the failure of the engine, as it was running perfectly when the airship left the ground. There was seven hours petrol at full speed on board. I consider that the envelope burst due to an excessive strain being brought on it by the suspensions, when the car hit the water. The envelope then probably collapsed on the car jamming the crew in their seats, and the whole ship sinking almost immediately.''
© Aviation Research Group Orkney & Shetland.
Orkney Islands - northern sheet (1915) (UKHO)
The Scotsman - Thursday 06 December 1917
ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE . KILLED (ACCIDENTALLY.) -Scott ,A.E., Air Mech 1 st Gr . ; Wilson, E.J ., Ldg .Mech .
ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE . KILLED (ACCIDENTALLY.) -Scott ,A.E., Air Mech 1 st Gr . ; Wilson, E.J ., Ldg .Mech .
CREW (Research on the crew is ongoing)
Ft Lt Edward Bourchier Devereux
Name - Devereux Edward Bourchier
DOB - 28th July 1895
Place of Birth -Hoe, Norfolk, England
Parents - Son of Walter De Laci Devereux & Blanche Isobel Devereux
Early History -
Rank - Sub-Lieutenant/Pilot
Service History - Individual confirmed at the Battle of Jutland. Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Monday 03 December 1917
KILLED. . Flight Lieut (Act-Lieut. R.N.) E. B. DEVEREUX, R.N.
Cambridge Daily News - Wednesday 05 December 1917
GREAT SHELFORD. LIEUT E. B, DEVEREUX.—Mr. and Mrs. W de L Devereux, of Great Shelford, have received official intimation that their eldest surviving son, flight-Lieut. Edward Bourchier, R.N.A.S.. lost his life sea on November 26th while engaged in patrol duty. Flight-Lieut. Devereux was 22 years of age- He was educated at Victoria College Jersey, and proceeded to Osbourne and Dartmouth Colleges. He served in the Navy, H.M. ships Warrior & dAgincourt. being present at the Battle of Jutland. In January last volunteered for the Royal Naval Air Service.-Mr. Devereux's eldest son. Lieut. Humphrey Williams Devereux. of the Staffordshire Regt.. was killed in action in June of last year, and his youngest son is on active service the East.
DOB - 28th July 1895
Place of Birth -Hoe, Norfolk, England
Parents - Son of Walter De Laci Devereux & Blanche Isobel Devereux
Early History -
Rank - Sub-Lieutenant/Pilot
Service History - Individual confirmed at the Battle of Jutland. Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Monday 03 December 1917
KILLED. . Flight Lieut (Act-Lieut. R.N.) E. B. DEVEREUX, R.N.
Cambridge Daily News - Wednesday 05 December 1917
GREAT SHELFORD. LIEUT E. B, DEVEREUX.—Mr. and Mrs. W de L Devereux, of Great Shelford, have received official intimation that their eldest surviving son, flight-Lieut. Edward Bourchier, R.N.A.S.. lost his life sea on November 26th while engaged in patrol duty. Flight-Lieut. Devereux was 22 years of age- He was educated at Victoria College Jersey, and proceeded to Osbourne and Dartmouth Colleges. He served in the Navy, H.M. ships Warrior & dAgincourt. being present at the Battle of Jutland. In January last volunteered for the Royal Naval Air Service.-Mr. Devereux's eldest son. Lieut. Humphrey Williams Devereux. of the Staffordshire Regt.. was killed in action in June of last year, and his youngest son is on active service the East.
AM 1 Albert Edwin Scott
Name - Scott Albert Edwin
DOB - 30th June 1893
Place of Birth - Highbury, London
Parents -
Early History - Wife: Mey Scott, 32, Wyatt, Road, Highbury Vale, London, N
Rank - Engineer - Air Mechanic 1st grade F 5276
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Thursday 06 December 1917
ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE . KILLED (ACCIDENTALLY.) -Scott ,A.E., Air Mech 1 st Gr . ; Wilson, E.J ., Ldg .Mech .
Biggleswade Chronicle - Friday 21 December 1917
Mrs. Scott, ot the .Asylum Road, Stotfold, has received the following letter informing her of the tragic death of her husband, Albert Edwin Scott, 1st Air Mechanic, of the Royal Naval Air Service —Royal Naval Airship Station. H.M.S. Imperieuse.
Dear Mrs. Scott, I wish express to you our heartfelt sympathy in the loss your husband. He was away in an airship when the engine failed, forcing the ship to fall. A I destroyer near her at the time reported that ! she broke up and sank immediately, owing to wind. I have received a letter from the men on this station requesting me to express their deepest sympathy with you in your bereavement, and to say how much they deplore the loss of such a valued comrade. The officers on this station also wish me to tender their deepest sympathy, and say that in losing your husband they have lost one of their best men. Yours truly, M. Horner.
We hope to publish photo of this gallant young airman next week. This brilliant young airman, only 24 years of age, is the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Scott, of Whitecrofts, and although not a native of the village, was such a frequent visitor to his grandfather, the late Mr. ]abez Saunderson, as to be well-known to a large circle of friends, all of whom are distressed at the sad fate that has terminated his useful life. He joined the Air Service 2 1/2 years ago. and turning his engineering skill to account, he had made rapid progress as an aeronaut. After the war it was his intention of living at Stotfold, whence he could follow his trade in the district. He was in Stotfold for ten day furlough as recently as November 12th, the day on which returned to pursue his duties for one week only, his death occurring on November 19th. He leaves a young widow and an infant son, for whom and his parents and friends great sympathy is felt.
Biggleswade Chronicle - Friday 04 January 1918
The late Air Mechanic Albert Edwin Scott, of the Royal Naval Air Service, whose photograph we publish here. lost his life on November 19th, In the service of King and country for on that date he was out with an airship when the engine failed and the ship fell into the sea. A destroyer went to render aid but the airship broke up and sank almost at once. Deceased was only 24 years of age and much sympathy will be felt for his young widow and little son. He was the younger son Mr. and Mrs. H. Scott, of Whltecrofts. and was a frequent visitor at Stolfold. Possessed of much engineering skill there seemed very bright prospect of a successful career.
Name - Scott Albert Edwin
DOB - 30th June 1893
Place of Birth - Highbury, London
Parents -
Early History - Wife: Mey Scott, 32, Wyatt, Road, Highbury Vale, London, N
Rank - Engineer - Air Mechanic 1st grade F 5276
Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Thursday 06 December 1917
ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE . KILLED (ACCIDENTALLY.) -Scott ,A.E., Air Mech 1 st Gr . ; Wilson, E.J ., Ldg .Mech .
Biggleswade Chronicle - Friday 21 December 1917
Mrs. Scott, ot the .Asylum Road, Stotfold, has received the following letter informing her of the tragic death of her husband, Albert Edwin Scott, 1st Air Mechanic, of the Royal Naval Air Service —Royal Naval Airship Station. H.M.S. Imperieuse.
Dear Mrs. Scott, I wish express to you our heartfelt sympathy in the loss your husband. He was away in an airship when the engine failed, forcing the ship to fall. A I destroyer near her at the time reported that ! she broke up and sank immediately, owing to wind. I have received a letter from the men on this station requesting me to express their deepest sympathy with you in your bereavement, and to say how much they deplore the loss of such a valued comrade. The officers on this station also wish me to tender their deepest sympathy, and say that in losing your husband they have lost one of their best men. Yours truly, M. Horner.
We hope to publish photo of this gallant young airman next week. This brilliant young airman, only 24 years of age, is the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Scott, of Whitecrofts, and although not a native of the village, was such a frequent visitor to his grandfather, the late Mr. ]abez Saunderson, as to be well-known to a large circle of friends, all of whom are distressed at the sad fate that has terminated his useful life. He joined the Air Service 2 1/2 years ago. and turning his engineering skill to account, he had made rapid progress as an aeronaut. After the war it was his intention of living at Stotfold, whence he could follow his trade in the district. He was in Stotfold for ten day furlough as recently as November 12th, the day on which returned to pursue his duties for one week only, his death occurring on November 19th. He leaves a young widow and an infant son, for whom and his parents and friends great sympathy is felt.
Biggleswade Chronicle - Friday 04 January 1918
The late Air Mechanic Albert Edwin Scott, of the Royal Naval Air Service, whose photograph we publish here. lost his life on November 19th, In the service of King and country for on that date he was out with an airship when the engine failed and the ship fell into the sea. A destroyer went to render aid but the airship broke up and sank almost at once. Deceased was only 24 years of age and much sympathy will be felt for his young widow and little son. He was the younger son Mr. and Mrs. H. Scott, of Whltecrofts. and was a frequent visitor at Stolfold. Possessed of much engineering skill there seemed very bright prospect of a successful career.
Aircraft Engineer
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Name - Wilson Edgar James
DOB - 27th March 1895 Place of Birth - St Pancras, London Parents - Son of William Kendall Wilson & Rose Pointon Early History - Rank - Wireless Operator/ Leading Mechanic F/4131 Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial The Scotsman - Thursday 06 December 1917 ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE . KILLED (ACCIDENTALLY.) -Scott ,A.E., Air Mech 1 st Gr . ; Wilson, E.J ., Ldg .Mech . |
