Trawler Commander Boyle.
Hellyer Steam Fishing co. Ivan Sache,
S.T. Commander Boyle (H353) †23/08/1915
Displacement: 243 grt
Length: 35.1m. Beam: 6.9 m. Draught: 3.9m.
Propulsion: Steam, single shaft, 1 screw, 1 boiler .
Complement: 12 officers and men.
Men Lost: 3
Displacement: 243 grt
Length: 35.1m. Beam: 6.9 m. Draught: 3.9m.
Propulsion: Steam, single shaft, 1 screw, 1 boiler .
Complement: 12 officers and men.
Men Lost: 3
Steel steam trawler built in 1915 at Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd., Beverley (Hull). Owned by Hull Northern Fishing Co. Ltd. - Hellyer Bros Ltd. - Hellyer Steam Fishing Co. Ltd., Hull with the registration H353.
The Loss
Lloyds War Losses World War One
On the 23rd August 1915 the steam trawler Commander Boyle struck a mine that had been laid by the raider SMS Meteor on the 7th August 1915. It was the trawlers second trip only being launched a few months previously.
The mines laid from SMS Meteor in this part of the field also accounted for HMS Lynx, HMT Jasper, and possibly SS Jacona.
The mines laid from SMS Meteor in this part of the field also accounted for HMS Lynx, HMT Jasper, and possibly SS Jacona.
Portsmouth Evening News - Tuesday 24 August 1915
Lloyd report today that the Hull trawler Commander Boyle has been sunk. Nine the crew picked up, three lost.
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 24 August 1915
HULL TRAWLER LOST WITH THREE THE CREW. WIRE FROM THE SKIPPER. News has been received by the owners, Messrs Chas. Hollyer and Co. that their trawler. Commander Boyle has been lost on a voyage and that three lives had been lost. Skipper R.W. Fox and the rest of the crew had landed at Fraserburgh. Commander Boyle left Hull on Saturday with Skipper Fox, James Richardson. mate, and ten men. She was a new vessel this being her second trip and the skipper was making his first voyage on the vessel.
SKIPPERS TELEGRAM. The wife the skipper, Mrs Fox:, was early apprised of the news a telegram she received from her husband. Commander Boyle lost; myself and mate are safe. I am sorry to say three of crew lost." The skippers home is at 161. Edinburgh-street, and was with much relief his wife told the ''Mail'' she read that her husband was safe. Skipper Fox has had previous stirring experience but he seems to possess a charmed life. The mate, James Richardson, whose home is in Selby street, is a son in-law of the skipper. Bo'sun E. Knight of the lost trawler, who is also amongst the saved, lives in Flinten-street. It seems that the three unfortunate men who were drowned were in the forecastle, and that they were not seen when the vessel went down. A photo of the skipper appears another page.
HULL TRAWLER LOST WITH THREE THE CREW. WIRE FROM THE SKIPPER. News has been received by the owners, Messrs Chas. Hollyer and Co. that their trawler. Commander Boyle has been lost on a voyage and that three lives had been lost. Skipper R.W. Fox and the rest of the crew had landed at Fraserburgh. Commander Boyle left Hull on Saturday with Skipper Fox, James Richardson. mate, and ten men. She was a new vessel this being her second trip and the skipper was making his first voyage on the vessel.
SKIPPERS TELEGRAM. The wife the skipper, Mrs Fox:, was early apprised of the news a telegram she received from her husband. Commander Boyle lost; myself and mate are safe. I am sorry to say three of crew lost." The skippers home is at 161. Edinburgh-street, and was with much relief his wife told the ''Mail'' she read that her husband was safe. Skipper Fox has had previous stirring experience but he seems to possess a charmed life. The mate, James Richardson, whose home is in Selby street, is a son in-law of the skipper. Bo'sun E. Knight of the lost trawler, who is also amongst the saved, lives in Flinten-street. It seems that the three unfortunate men who were drowned were in the forecastle, and that they were not seen when the vessel went down. A photo of the skipper appears another page.
 THE SKIPPER
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 24 August 1915
THE LOST HULL TRAWLER. Skipper R.W Fox, 161. Edinburgh-street, the Hull trawler Commander Boyle. Three of the crew were lost when this vessel sank. The skipper, mate, and seven of the crew were saved and landed at Fraserburgh. (photo). |
The Wreck
The trawler Commander Boyle is reported on Wreck Card 1179
Trawler Commander Boyle (PA) added to chart 1823 (1925) UKHO
In 1915 the position given for the wreck of the trawler was 581230N, 022500W.
The wreck was inserted to chart 2182B in 1919.
In 1926 the wreck was deleted from chart 2182B but inserted as NDWPA (1915) on other charts.
In 1944 a NSC (Non-Sub Contact) was located in position 581230N, 022500W and added to the wreck card as ''probably Commander Boyle.'' and was inserted onto chart 115 in 1970 as NDWPA. This position is .5 NM from the charted wreck that is considered to be HMT Jasper.
In 2012 the position 581230N, 022500W was surveyed with MBES by Netsurvey. The wreck was not located and wreck card amended to DEAD.
The wrecksite of the trawler Commander Boyle has not yet been identified. There is a charted wreck 1.3 Km north of HMS Lynx reported on Wreck Card 79582, (Unknown 1 in chart below) in position 58°10,561'N 02°30,117'W that could possibly be the trawler Commander Boyle. The wreck is 22,7m x 6,8m x 3,8m and reported as '' UPRIGHT, INTACT, BOWS NW WITH FWD PART COLLAPSED''
The wreck was inserted to chart 2182B in 1919.
In 1926 the wreck was deleted from chart 2182B but inserted as NDWPA (1915) on other charts.
In 1944 a NSC (Non-Sub Contact) was located in position 581230N, 022500W and added to the wreck card as ''probably Commander Boyle.'' and was inserted onto chart 115 in 1970 as NDWPA. This position is .5 NM from the charted wreck that is considered to be HMT Jasper.
In 2012 the position 581230N, 022500W was surveyed with MBES by Netsurvey. The wreck was not located and wreck card amended to DEAD.
The wrecksite of the trawler Commander Boyle has not yet been identified. There is a charted wreck 1.3 Km north of HMS Lynx reported on Wreck Card 79582, (Unknown 1 in chart below) in position 58°10,561'N 02°30,117'W that could possibly be the trawler Commander Boyle. The wreck is 22,7m x 6,8m x 3,8m and reported as '' UPRIGHT, INTACT, BOWS NW WITH FWD PART COLLAPSED''
Commander Boyle PA position in relation to other known wrecks in the area. UKHO
Wreck 79582 - Possibly Trawler Commander Boyle (Unknown 1) Netsurvey/UKHO
The Dive
The trawler Commander Boyle was not dived as part of the 2024 project (Phase 1).
Wreck 1180 was dived and was confirmed to be the trawler HMT Jasper so there is a strong possibility that Wreck Card 79582 (Unknown 1) is the wreck of Commander Boyle.
No other wrecks were located by Netsurvey in the area with dimensions that matched the trawlers and is located within the minefield footprint.
Wreck 1180 was dived and was confirmed to be the trawler HMT Jasper so there is a strong possibility that Wreck Card 79582 (Unknown 1) is the wreck of Commander Boyle.
No other wrecks were located by Netsurvey in the area with dimensions that matched the trawlers and is located within the minefield footprint.
15/05/2001
The wreck thought to be Commander Boyle was dived in May 2001 from the dive vessel Karin (John Thornton)
Ian Potten dived with with Fiona Watson and found what was said to be as ''a small steam ship.'' which would perfectly describe a steam trawler. Ian took a number of photos of the site.
Fiona Watson's description in her logbook was of a beautiful wreck of a trawler and the bows were destroyed.
Ian Potten dived with with Fiona Watson and found what was said to be as ''a small steam ship.'' which would perfectly describe a steam trawler. Ian took a number of photos of the site.
Fiona Watson's description in her logbook was of a beautiful wreck of a trawler and the bows were destroyed.
Photos: Ian Potten
Crew Lost †23/08/1915,
BRATTON W (31), Third Hand, Mercantile Marine,
Son of Mr. Bratton, of 12, Richmond Terrace, Harrow St., Hull.
Born at Hull, Remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 24 August 1915
THE LOST HULL TRAWLER The missing men on the lost Hull trawler are W. Britten. third hand: Robert Smith, and W. Holder, spare hand.
Son of Mr. Bratton, of 12, Richmond Terrace, Harrow St., Hull.
Born at Hull, Remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 24 August 1915
THE LOST HULL TRAWLER The missing men on the lost Hull trawler are W. Britten. third hand: Robert Smith, and W. Holder, spare hand.
Source:
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
HOLDER, WALTER (31), Spare hand, Mercantile Marine, Husband of Mrs. W. Holder, of 70, Manchester St. Hessle Rd., Hull. Born in Hull, Remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 24 August 1915
THE LOST HULL TRAWLER The missing men on the lost Hull trawler are W. Britten. third hand: Robert Smith, and W. Holder, spare hand.
Hull Daily Mail - Thursday 26 August 1915
Walter Holder (31), third hand of the Hull trawler Commander Boyle, lost August 23rd while on voyage to Iceland. His wife's address is 70, Manchester-Street. Hull. Recently he had been living with his mother, Mrs. Holder, 1, Fair-view, Subway-Street, Hull. sailed for many years on Messrs Hellyer's trawlers, and was well known and much respected on the Hull Fish Dock. He passed through a previous experience on June 5th the Hull trawler Bardolph, which was lost on the return trip from Iceland.
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 24 August 1915
THE LOST HULL TRAWLER The missing men on the lost Hull trawler are W. Britten. third hand: Robert Smith, and W. Holder, spare hand.
Hull Daily Mail - Thursday 26 August 1915
Walter Holder (31), third hand of the Hull trawler Commander Boyle, lost August 23rd while on voyage to Iceland. His wife's address is 70, Manchester-Street. Hull. Recently he had been living with his mother, Mrs. Holder, 1, Fair-view, Subway-Street, Hull. sailed for many years on Messrs Hellyer's trawlers, and was well known and much respected on the Hull Fish Dock. He passed through a previous experience on June 5th the Hull trawler Bardolph, which was lost on the return trip from Iceland.
Source:
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
SMITH, ROBERT (30), Spare hand, , Mercantile Marine,, Son of Ann Smith, of 24, Liverpool St., Hull, and the late Robert Smith, Remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 24 August 1915
THE LOST HULL TRAWLER The missing men on the lost Hull trawler are W. Britten. third hand: Robert Smith, and W. Holder, spare hand.
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 24 August 1915
THE LOST HULL TRAWLER The missing men on the lost Hull trawler are W. Britten. third hand: Robert Smith, and W. Holder, spare hand.
Source:
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Tower Hill Memorial
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Photos: LiWD Collection
Tower Hill Memorial. Photo: W Sadler.
Survivors
Fox R.W. - (Skipper)
Richardson, James- Mate
Knight. F. - Bosun
