HMS Goldfinch
HMS Goldfinch . 18-19/02/1915
Acorn class destroyer (H class)
Displacement: grt.
Length: m. Beam: m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: 2 Parson turbine engines, 4 x Yarrow boilers, 3 shafts, 3 screws
Complement: 72 officers and men.
Armament: 2 x 4"/101.6 mm gun, 2 x 12 pdr. guns, 2 x 21"/530 mm T.T.
HMS Goldfinch was built at Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Govan and launched in 1910.
Acorn class destroyer (H class)
Displacement: grt.
Length: m. Beam: m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: 2 Parson turbine engines, 4 x Yarrow boilers, 3 shafts, 3 screws
Complement: 72 officers and men.
Armament: 2 x 4"/101.6 mm gun, 2 x 12 pdr. guns, 2 x 21"/530 mm T.T.
HMS Goldfinch was built at Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Govan and launched in 1910.
|
|
|
Postcards HMS Goldfinch LiWD Collection
The History
Daily Malta Chronicle and Garrison Gazette - Tuesday 08 November 1910
The t.b.d. Chameleon has undergone a series of trials She attained a speed of 30 knots exceeding the contract by 3 knots. Two sister-ships, the Comet and Goldfinch, are being prepared for trials. They all burn oil fuel only.
Liverpool Journal of Commerce - Thursday 01 December 1910
SHIPBUILDING REVIEW.
(Continued.)
Vessels Fitting Out and Overhauling at Glasgow.
This week five new vessels been fitting afloat or in dry dock at Glasgow--four warships and one mercantile steamer as compared with four war and two merchant ships last week. The warships include the British torpedo-boat destroyer Cameleon, Goldfinch. and Scorpion, all built at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co, Govan. and the Alarm built by Messrs, John Brown and Co., Clydebank. The last named destroyer, at the time of writing is in the Elderslie - dry dock.
The t.b.d. Chameleon has undergone a series of trials She attained a speed of 30 knots exceeding the contract by 3 knots. Two sister-ships, the Comet and Goldfinch, are being prepared for trials. They all burn oil fuel only.
Liverpool Journal of Commerce - Thursday 01 December 1910
SHIPBUILDING REVIEW.
(Continued.)
Vessels Fitting Out and Overhauling at Glasgow.
This week five new vessels been fitting afloat or in dry dock at Glasgow--four warships and one mercantile steamer as compared with four war and two merchant ships last week. The warships include the British torpedo-boat destroyer Cameleon, Goldfinch. and Scorpion, all built at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co, Govan. and the Alarm built by Messrs, John Brown and Co., Clydebank. The last named destroyer, at the time of writing is in the Elderslie - dry dock.
Globe - Monday 13 March 1911
NAVAL NEWS
Late on Saturday night the overheating of an electric radiator caused fire on board the destroyer ''Goldfinch,” berthed alongside a wharf at Devonport Dockyard. The dockyard fire brigade extinguished the fire, but the wireless telegraphy room was burned out. The ''Goldfinch'' was only delivered by the builders a fortnight ago.
NAVAL NEWS
Late on Saturday night the overheating of an electric radiator caused fire on board the destroyer ''Goldfinch,” berthed alongside a wharf at Devonport Dockyard. The dockyard fire brigade extinguished the fire, but the wireless telegraphy room was burned out. The ''Goldfinch'' was only delivered by the builders a fortnight ago.
Western Daily Mercury - Tuesday 09 January 1912
Movement of HM Ships.
This morning destroyer Goldfinch will be moved out of No.4 dock South Yard, Devonport
Movement of HM Ships.
This morning destroyer Goldfinch will be moved out of No.4 dock South Yard, Devonport
Western Daily Mercury - Monday 18 March 1912
TWO ACCIDENTS IN PORTLAND HARBOUR
On Friday the destroyer Comet while leaving the torpedo pens at Portland was caught by the wind and blown onto a coal lighter, buckling her plates and fouling her propeller. She drifted perilously near the rocks before being taken in tow by the tug Egerton. The destroyer Goldfinch, entering the pens afterwards, collided with the destroyer Ruby. The Ruby’s whaler was smashed, her port forward gun dismantled, and three plates buckled. The Goldfinch escaped practically uninjured. Another Portland correspondent says: The destroyer Comet was blown by strong north-westerly wind against two coaling lighters Friday night, and had several plates the starboard bow damaged. The destroyer’s propeller's were also fouled by the moorings. The tug Egerton up just time save her from drifting on the coaling piers. Later the Goldfinch was entering the pens when the reversing gear gave out, and to avoid colliding with the Cameleon's stern the Goldfinch ran into the Ruby on the port forecastle, inflicting severe damage to plates and boat. The Goldfinch was uninjured.
TWO ACCIDENTS IN PORTLAND HARBOUR
On Friday the destroyer Comet while leaving the torpedo pens at Portland was caught by the wind and blown onto a coal lighter, buckling her plates and fouling her propeller. She drifted perilously near the rocks before being taken in tow by the tug Egerton. The destroyer Goldfinch, entering the pens afterwards, collided with the destroyer Ruby. The Ruby’s whaler was smashed, her port forward gun dismantled, and three plates buckled. The Goldfinch escaped practically uninjured. Another Portland correspondent says: The destroyer Comet was blown by strong north-westerly wind against two coaling lighters Friday night, and had several plates the starboard bow damaged. The destroyer’s propeller's were also fouled by the moorings. The tug Egerton up just time save her from drifting on the coaling piers. Later the Goldfinch was entering the pens when the reversing gear gave out, and to avoid colliding with the Cameleon's stern the Goldfinch ran into the Ruby on the port forecastle, inflicting severe damage to plates and boat. The Goldfinch was uninjured.
Western Daily Mercury - Wednesday 14 August 1912
DEPARTURE OF SECOND FLOTILLA.
The Second Destroyer Flotilla, consisting of the cruisers Blake and Bellona, the scout Attentive, and the destroyers Acorn, Alarm, Cameleon, Comet, Goldfinch, Larne, Lyra, Martin, Minstrel. Nemesis, Nymphe, Ruby, Bedpole, and Rifleman, left and Plymouth yesterday afternoon for Flow, where they will carry out the autumn exercises, proceeding occasionally to the Shetland Islands. The Brisk and Nereide, which are in Dockyard hands, will join the flotilla as soon as convenient.
DEPARTURE OF SECOND FLOTILLA.
The Second Destroyer Flotilla, consisting of the cruisers Blake and Bellona, the scout Attentive, and the destroyers Acorn, Alarm, Cameleon, Comet, Goldfinch, Larne, Lyra, Martin, Minstrel. Nemesis, Nymphe, Ruby, Bedpole, and Rifleman, left and Plymouth yesterday afternoon for Flow, where they will carry out the autumn exercises, proceeding occasionally to the Shetland Islands. The Brisk and Nereide, which are in Dockyard hands, will join the flotilla as soon as convenient.
Northern times and weekly journal for Sutherland and the North - Thursday 31 October 1912
Torpedo found at Golspie. — One of the latest torpedoes, 22 feet 6 inches in length, stated to be valued over £l000, and which was lost by one of the warships while practicing in the Moray Firth on the 14th inst, was found on the Golspie east beach by a young man named William MacKay, son of Mr Mackay, The Point On the matter being reported to Sergeant Poison, Golspie, wired the naval authorities, the outcome being that the H.M.S. Goldfinch arrived in Golspie Bay on Tuesday early in the afternoon to make investigations. A crew was sent ashore, and on examination it was found, as stated above, that the torpedo was the one which was lost a fortnight ago. The finder, and those who assisted him to make the find secure, will more than likely receive reward. It now transpires that since the torpedo was found, that some of the fishermen are said, while pursuing their daily calling, to have observed something of the “sea-serpent” nature, or some other similar denizen of the deep, floating on the sea about a week ago, but not being inclined to make a close” inspection, they gave the supposed monster wide berth. So goes the story.
Ross-shire Journal - Friday 08 November 1912
LOST, In Moray Firth, from H.M.S. Goldfinch, Torpedo, marked 101. Finder, if not connected with H.M. Service, will paid £5 Reward, Please communicate with Captain (D), H.M.S. Bellona, Invergordon.
Torpedo found at Golspie. — One of the latest torpedoes, 22 feet 6 inches in length, stated to be valued over £l000, and which was lost by one of the warships while practicing in the Moray Firth on the 14th inst, was found on the Golspie east beach by a young man named William MacKay, son of Mr Mackay, The Point On the matter being reported to Sergeant Poison, Golspie, wired the naval authorities, the outcome being that the H.M.S. Goldfinch arrived in Golspie Bay on Tuesday early in the afternoon to make investigations. A crew was sent ashore, and on examination it was found, as stated above, that the torpedo was the one which was lost a fortnight ago. The finder, and those who assisted him to make the find secure, will more than likely receive reward. It now transpires that since the torpedo was found, that some of the fishermen are said, while pursuing their daily calling, to have observed something of the “sea-serpent” nature, or some other similar denizen of the deep, floating on the sea about a week ago, but not being inclined to make a close” inspection, they gave the supposed monster wide berth. So goes the story.
Ross-shire Journal - Friday 08 November 1912
LOST, In Moray Firth, from H.M.S. Goldfinch, Torpedo, marked 101. Finder, if not connected with H.M. Service, will paid £5 Reward, Please communicate with Captain (D), H.M.S. Bellona, Invergordon.
Brixham Western Guardian - Thursday 26 November 1914
Mrs. Rundle, of St. Howard's, Empire Road, Torquay, has five brothers in the Navy. They are Jack Lawes, H.M.S. Talbot: Tom Lawes, H.M.S. Devonshire; George Lawes H.M.S. Iris; Wilfrid Lawes. H.M.S. Goldfinch; and Frank Lawes. H.M.S. Endymion.
Mrs. Rundle, of St. Howard's, Empire Road, Torquay, has five brothers in the Navy. They are Jack Lawes, H.M.S. Talbot: Tom Lawes, H.M.S. Devonshire; George Lawes H.M.S. Iris; Wilfrid Lawes. H.M.S. Goldfinch; and Frank Lawes. H.M.S. Endymion.
Western Times - Tuesday 09 February 1915
"Better late than never** was probably on the mind of W. J. King, E.R.A., an Exonian on H.M.S. "Goldfinch'' when he received quite recently a parcel cake, puddings and other presents sent from the Depot as a Christmas gift for himself and his seven messmates on board the ship. A letter of thanks, dated February 2nd, was received from him yesterday, which stated that he and his chums greatly appreciated the presents. It is clear, of course, that the movements the ship accounted for the delay in delivery of the parcel, but, after all. none its contents were perishable.
"Better late than never** was probably on the mind of W. J. King, E.R.A., an Exonian on H.M.S. "Goldfinch'' when he received quite recently a parcel cake, puddings and other presents sent from the Depot as a Christmas gift for himself and his seven messmates on board the ship. A letter of thanks, dated February 2nd, was received from him yesterday, which stated that he and his chums greatly appreciated the presents. It is clear, of course, that the movements the ship accounted for the delay in delivery of the parcel, but, after all. none its contents were perishable.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Monday 24 May 1915
GUNLAYERS’ TEST. A Blue Book, issued on Saturday night, gives the results of the gunlayers’ test from torpedo boat destroyers and torpedo-boats of His Majesty’s Fleet in 1914. It shows that 125 destroyers and one torpedo-boat fired 538 guns, and that out of 2,616 rounds fired, in scoring time 1,274 hits were made, the percentage of hits to rounds fired being 48.700. The best ships in the tests with the various were : H.M.S. Goldfinch. H.M.S. Nemesis, H.M.S. Stour. H.M.S. Colne, and H.M.S. Albatross. The best shots in these ships were, respectively. Petty Officer F. M. Dowell. Leading Seaman S. Lammerton. Leading Seaman A. Hughes. Able Seaman F. Drake, and Able Seaman W. Faulkner. The award of the medal will promulgated in due course.
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 30 December 1915
LOST, Sunday -26th inst, Black Retriever DOG. collar name, Peter. H.M.S Goldfinch. Reward, Stokes, 17a, West Derby-St.
GUNLAYERS’ TEST. A Blue Book, issued on Saturday night, gives the results of the gunlayers’ test from torpedo boat destroyers and torpedo-boats of His Majesty’s Fleet in 1914. It shows that 125 destroyers and one torpedo-boat fired 538 guns, and that out of 2,616 rounds fired, in scoring time 1,274 hits were made, the percentage of hits to rounds fired being 48.700. The best ships in the tests with the various were : H.M.S. Goldfinch. H.M.S. Nemesis, H.M.S. Stour. H.M.S. Colne, and H.M.S. Albatross. The best shots in these ships were, respectively. Petty Officer F. M. Dowell. Leading Seaman S. Lammerton. Leading Seaman A. Hughes. Able Seaman F. Drake, and Able Seaman W. Faulkner. The award of the medal will promulgated in due course.
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 30 December 1915
LOST, Sunday -26th inst, Black Retriever DOG. collar name, Peter. H.M.S Goldfinch. Reward, Stokes, 17a, West Derby-St.
The Loss
On the night of 18th to 19th February 1915 HMS Goldfinch, in thick fog, ran aground at Start Point on the island of Sanday, Orkney. There was no loss of life. The Destroyer could not be saved so was sold for scrap and broken up in 1919.
The Wreck
HMS Goldfinch has the Wreck Card 487.
The Wreck Card was created in 1952 and simply stated ''Vessel holed and stranded ashore at Start Point, Orkney Is. (Signal DTD 19.2.15)''
In 1976 the card was updated ''Wk was sold in 1919. (Min of Defence. Naval Contracts)''.
A further update by B Winfield in 1986 states ''Remains reported to lie just to the NW of Start Point''
In 2009 a survey by Netsurvey could not locate the wreck due to shallow water.
The Wreck Card was created in 1952 and simply stated ''Vessel holed and stranded ashore at Start Point, Orkney Is. (Signal DTD 19.2.15)''
In 1976 the card was updated ''Wk was sold in 1919. (Min of Defence. Naval Contracts)''.
A further update by B Winfield in 1986 states ''Remains reported to lie just to the NW of Start Point''
In 2009 a survey by Netsurvey could not locate the wreck due to shallow water.
Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Wednesday 16 April 1919
Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Thursday 10 April 1919
Selling a Wrecked T.B.D.
A reminder of the hazards encountered from the elements as well as from the enemy by the destroyers of the Navy during war service given by the announcement of the Admiralty that the destroyer Goldfinch is for sale. The wrecked hull of this boat lies stranded on Start Point in the northern Orkneys, where she ran aground in a thick fog in February. 1915. The loss was not made public during the war, but mentioned in Lord Jellicoe’s recent book. The Goldfinch was a 29-knot destroyer of the “ H’’ type, and
was built by the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company on the Clyde in 1910.
Army and Navy Gazette - Saturday 12 April 1919
Admiralty are offering for sale the wreck of the destroyer Goldfinch, now lying at Start Point, Sanday, Orkney Islands. Although no official announcement was made at the time, it is recorded in Lord Jellicoe’s book that the Goldfinch went ashore in a fog in February 1915, and became a total loss. She belonged to “H” class, was launched by the Fairfield Company in 1910 making 28 knots' on her trials, and at the peak of war Was commanded by Lieutenant Commander R. G Stone in the Second Flotilla.
Selling a Wrecked T.B.D.
A reminder of the hazards encountered from the elements as well as from the enemy by the destroyers of the Navy during war service given by the announcement of the Admiralty that the destroyer Goldfinch is for sale. The wrecked hull of this boat lies stranded on Start Point in the northern Orkneys, where she ran aground in a thick fog in February. 1915. The loss was not made public during the war, but mentioned in Lord Jellicoe’s recent book. The Goldfinch was a 29-knot destroyer of the “ H’’ type, and
was built by the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company on the Clyde in 1910.
Army and Navy Gazette - Saturday 12 April 1919
Admiralty are offering for sale the wreck of the destroyer Goldfinch, now lying at Start Point, Sanday, Orkney Islands. Although no official announcement was made at the time, it is recorded in Lord Jellicoe’s book that the Goldfinch went ashore in a fog in February 1915, and became a total loss. She belonged to “H” class, was launched by the Fairfield Company in 1910 making 28 knots' on her trials, and at the peak of war Was commanded by Lieutenant Commander R. G Stone in the Second Flotilla.
HMS Goldfinch bow
|
HMS Goldfinch bow, Start Point.
|
A Yarrow boiler from HMS Goldfinch with the wreck of the trawler Aberdeen City (1963)
Start Point courtesy Graham Campbell Start Point courtesy Brett Green Start Point Cart 2180A (1915) UKHO
