HMD South Esk
HMD South Esk. (No 2021) 07/07/1917
Displacement: 93 grt.
Length: 26.1 m. Beam: 5.6 m. Draught: 2.6 m.
Propulsion: Steam, 1 x boiler Triple Expansion Engine.
Machinery: J A Abernethy & Co. Aberdeen.
Complement: 9 officers and men.
Crew Lost: 4
Armament: 1 x 3pdr
Southesk was a steel steam drifter built by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen in 1912 for Johnstone J. & Sons Ltd Montrose. Registered in Montrose with the fishing number ME-195.
Displacement: 93 grt.
Length: 26.1 m. Beam: 5.6 m. Draught: 2.6 m.
Propulsion: Steam, 1 x boiler Triple Expansion Engine.
Machinery: J A Abernethy & Co. Aberdeen.
Complement: 9 officers and men.
Crew Lost: 4
Armament: 1 x 3pdr
Southesk was a steel steam drifter built by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen in 1912 for Johnstone J. & Sons Ltd Montrose. Registered in Montrose with the fishing number ME-195.
In 1915 Southesk was hired to the Royal Navy, and in documents and telegrams, the vessel appears to have been renamed South Esk. First used as a Boom Vessel but then as a minesweeper with pennant number 2021.
THE LOSS
On 7th July 1917 HMD South Esk, together with HMD Olive, and two other drifters, were conducting minesweeping operations east of Kirkwall. At 12.10 in the afternoon HMD South Esk and HMD Olive fouled their sweep between Stronsay and Auskerry. Eyewitnesses from the island of Stronsay said both drifters let go of the sweep which was then hauled in over the bow of HMD South Esk.
At 12.35 there was a ''terrific explosion'' right below South Esk and the bow was blown away. It is thought that maybe the sweepers had fouled 2 or more mines and these had detonated when they came in contact with each other.
The badly damaged vessel floated for about one and a half minutes before sinking, leaving four crew dead and five survivors.
The survivors were all injured and were taken to The Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall.
At 12.35 there was a ''terrific explosion'' right below South Esk and the bow was blown away. It is thought that maybe the sweepers had fouled 2 or more mines and these had detonated when they came in contact with each other.
The badly damaged vessel floated for about one and a half minutes before sinking, leaving four crew dead and five survivors.
The survivors were all injured and were taken to The Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall.
UC-33
The mine or mines that sank HMD South Esk were from a line of six mines laid by UC 33 (Kptlt. Martin Schelle) on the night of 29th June 1917. (Minesperren 133a) These mines were laid in a line running north/south between Auskerry and Stronsay.
UC-33 KTB
A translation of the logbook (KTB) For UC 33 29/06/1917 states.............
Closed with a line of 6 mines, 200m apart, between Auskerry Island and Ingle Skerry, laid on course 0 deg, Auskerry Sound (Quadrat 125a 3) blocked.
U Boat grid chart showing square 125a highlighted.
The Wreck Today.
The wreck of HMD South Esk has not been located but is part of an ongoing project.
The wreck of HMD South Esk has not been located but is part of an ongoing project.