HMS Rhododendron
HMS Auricula . Anchusa-class sloop.
HMS Rhododendron. 05/05/1918
Displacement: 1290 grt
.
Length: 79.9 m. Beam: 10.7 m. Draught: 3.8 m.
Propulsion:1 x 3 cyl. Steam triple expansion engine, three boilers, single shaft, single screw.
Complement: officers and men.
Crew Lost: 15
Armament: 2 × 4 in guns, 2 × 12-pounder guns, Depth charge throwers
Anchusa-class sloop
Displacement: 1290 grt
.
Length: 79.9 m. Beam: 10.7 m. Draught: 3.8 m.
Propulsion:1 x 3 cyl. Steam triple expansion engine, three boilers, single shaft, single screw.
Complement: officers and men.
Crew Lost: 15
Armament: 2 × 4 in guns, 2 × 12-pounder guns, Depth charge throwers
Anchusa-class sloop
HMS Rhododendron was built by Irvine's Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. Ltd., West Hartlepool (Sunderland) in 1917.
On Sunday 5th May 1918 HMS Rhododendron was on patrol north of Westray, Orkney when at 4.30 pm there was an explosion aft. Lieut Commander Charles A Peal RNR was heading to check the damage when there was a second larger explosion 30 seconds after the first. It was found the entire stern of the vessel had gone. It was initially thought by the commander it was a depth charge accident.
20 minutes after the two explosions the order was given to abandon ship. In the Court of Enquiry (ADM156/170) Lieut Commander Charles A Peal states that around 30 minutes after abandoning ship a U boat surfaced, approached and then started questioning crew in one of the other lifeboats. Someone was in the conning tower scanning the lifeboats with binoculars and he was worried that the U boat may be looking for him to take prisoner. He hid his jacket that he had given to a stoker to wear.
The U boat then manoeuvred around what was left of the stern of HMS Rhododendron and fired five shells into the ship. At this time there were still men onboard as some of the lifeboats had proved unseaworthy and the crew had returned to Rhododendron. Lt Cmdr. Peal stated he did not understand why they didn't open fire on the U Boat.
Petty Officer William Arthur Kensit in his evidence to the court gave a very interesting account of his interaction with the U boat crew. He said he saw a periscope coming towards his lifeboat, the U boat surfaced and approached them shouting questions. There were some issues with the language so Kensit was taken onboard the U boat and taken to its commander in the conning tower. He commented the the U boat felt very steady underfoot and did not move much with the swell.
Kensit was asked where the master of the vessel was which he replied that he was dead, Kensit was then given a pair of binoculars to check the other lifeboats to make sure that he was not in one of the other lifeboats.
The U boat commander then asked for the vessels name but could not understand the answer so Kensit wrote it down. Kensit then asked for the U boats number but was told it was secret, he then asked how many torpedoes had been fired and was told one. Kensit was then asked what he thought the cause of the second explosion was which he answered maybe the magazine aft. Kensit was then asked the tonnage of ship which he answered 1000 ton which the U boat commander refused to believe. Kensit was then returned to the lifeboat and the U boat left and fired some shots into the stern of Rhododendron before leaving the area. .
Two trawlers were later seen and were signalled, which were the Boscobel and Kennymore. All the survivors were recovered and Boscobel was ordered to Kirkwall while Kennymore stood by HMS Rhododendron.
The U boat that had torpedoed HMS Rhododendron was the U-70 commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Wünsche.
On Sunday 5th May 1918 HMS Rhododendron was on patrol north of Westray, Orkney when at 4.30 pm there was an explosion aft. Lieut Commander Charles A Peal RNR was heading to check the damage when there was a second larger explosion 30 seconds after the first. It was found the entire stern of the vessel had gone. It was initially thought by the commander it was a depth charge accident.
20 minutes after the two explosions the order was given to abandon ship. In the Court of Enquiry (ADM156/170) Lieut Commander Charles A Peal states that around 30 minutes after abandoning ship a U boat surfaced, approached and then started questioning crew in one of the other lifeboats. Someone was in the conning tower scanning the lifeboats with binoculars and he was worried that the U boat may be looking for him to take prisoner. He hid his jacket that he had given to a stoker to wear.
The U boat then manoeuvred around what was left of the stern of HMS Rhododendron and fired five shells into the ship. At this time there were still men onboard as some of the lifeboats had proved unseaworthy and the crew had returned to Rhododendron. Lt Cmdr. Peal stated he did not understand why they didn't open fire on the U Boat.
Petty Officer William Arthur Kensit in his evidence to the court gave a very interesting account of his interaction with the U boat crew. He said he saw a periscope coming towards his lifeboat, the U boat surfaced and approached them shouting questions. There were some issues with the language so Kensit was taken onboard the U boat and taken to its commander in the conning tower. He commented the the U boat felt very steady underfoot and did not move much with the swell.
Kensit was asked where the master of the vessel was which he replied that he was dead, Kensit was then given a pair of binoculars to check the other lifeboats to make sure that he was not in one of the other lifeboats.
The U boat commander then asked for the vessels name but could not understand the answer so Kensit wrote it down. Kensit then asked for the U boats number but was told it was secret, he then asked how many torpedoes had been fired and was told one. Kensit was then asked what he thought the cause of the second explosion was which he answered maybe the magazine aft. Kensit was then asked the tonnage of ship which he answered 1000 ton which the U boat commander refused to believe. Kensit was then returned to the lifeboat and the U boat left and fired some shots into the stern of Rhododendron before leaving the area. .
Two trawlers were later seen and were signalled, which were the Boscobel and Kennymore. All the survivors were recovered and Boscobel was ordered to Kirkwall while Kennymore stood by HMS Rhododendron.
The U boat that had torpedoed HMS Rhododendron was the U-70 commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Wünsche.
SM U-70
The KTB (logbook) from U-70 shows that at 5.32 (Berlin Time) one torpedo was fired at a range of 500m. The second explosion was commented on and that a Royal Navy flag was seen flying. Four lifeboats were counted. The tonnage was marked as 2000 ton.
At 6.15 (Berlin Time) U70 surfaced and spoke to an English Deck Officer who told them ship was auxiliary cruiser RHODODENDRON.
The position in the KTB is shown as 59.33N 2.50W. There is a separate sheet showing vessels sunk and position is shown for Rhododendron as Mull Hd at 190 deg, 10 nautical miles.
KTB entry for U70 05/05/1918
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KTB sheet for vessels sunk with entry for HMS Rhododendron.
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Frontier Sentinel - Saturday 18 May 1918
British Minesweeper Lost. The British Admiralty announces :—One of his Majesty's mine-sweeping sloops was torpedoed by a German submarine and sank on the 6th inst. Two officers an 4 thirteen men are missing, presumed drowned. The next-of-kin have been informed.
Northern Whig - Monday 13 May 1918
MINESWEEPER LOST. The Admiralty announces One of his Majesty's mine-sweeping sloops was torpedoed a German submarine and sank on the 6th inst. Two officers and thirteen men are missing, presumed drowned. The next-of-kin have been informed.
British Minesweeper Lost. The British Admiralty announces :—One of his Majesty's mine-sweeping sloops was torpedoed by a German submarine and sank on the 6th inst. Two officers an 4 thirteen men are missing, presumed drowned. The next-of-kin have been informed.
Northern Whig - Monday 13 May 1918
MINESWEEPER LOST. The Admiralty announces One of his Majesty's mine-sweeping sloops was torpedoed a German submarine and sank on the 6th inst. Two officers and thirteen men are missing, presumed drowned. The next-of-kin have been informed.
The Wreck
Location of HMS Rhododendron ?.
The bow section of HMS Rhododendron remained afloat all night and was followed by the trawler Kennymore. There was a fire onboard and at 6 am there was a violent explosion from within the ship followed by a series of smaller ones. At 9.30 am it was decided to try and take the sloop in tow but as they approached the vessel it rolled over to starboard and sank.
Both the position given in the KTB (59 33N 2.50W) and the bearing given in the separate sheet correspond. There is a charted shipwreck located 7 miles east of this position at 59°33,2'N 02°35,783'W This has the wreck card 520.
.
The wreck was located in 1995 using paper trace side scan sonar. The image shows a damaged vessel with one end missing. The charted wreck could be a section of HMS Rhododendron. One day perhaps, a dive team will visit the site in the future to confirm identity.
Both the position given in the KTB (59 33N 2.50W) and the bearing given in the separate sheet correspond. There is a charted shipwreck located 7 miles east of this position at 59°33,2'N 02°35,783'W This has the wreck card 520.
.
The wreck was located in 1995 using paper trace side scan sonar. The image shows a damaged vessel with one end missing. The charted wreck could be a section of HMS Rhododendron. One day perhaps, a dive team will visit the site in the future to confirm identity.
Side Scan Sonar image of wreck 520 (UKHO)
The Crew -05/05/1918 (Research ongoing)
BANHAM, Henry G, Telegraphist, J 27546 (Ch)
BIRCHALL, Charles J, Able Seaman, J 19236 (Ch)
BRADLEY, Arthur, Stoker 1c, K 33133 (Ch)
CRADDOCK, Arthur E, Stoker 1c, K 41377 (Ch)
CRANFIELD, William, Stoker 1c, K 33038 (Ch)
DOE, Leonard W, Stoker 1c, K 41405 (Ch)
DUNCAN, Joseph, Engine Room Artificer 4c, M 20113 (Ch)
Bristol Times and Mirror - Thursday 23 May 1918
HAMMOND, Stanley J, Ty/Lieutenant, RNR
Bristol Times and Mirror - Wednesday 15 May 1918
Roll of Honour
HAMMOND— Killed by torpedo May5th Lieut Stanley John Hammond, beloved husband
Miriam Hammond, of Springfield Road, Pill, (formerly of Swindon)
Bristol Times and Mirror - Wednesday 15 May 1918
LIEUT J HAMMOND News has reached Bristol, of the death, killed by torpedo of Lieut Stanley John Hammond husband of Mrs Hammond of Springfield Road Pill formerly of Swindon.
Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Thursday 23 May 1918
Killed
LIEUT Stanley J Hammond. R.N.R.
Bristol Times and Mirror - Thursday 23 May 1918
LIEUT. S.J. HAMMOND
Official news has now been received by Mrs. Hammond, of Springfield Road. Pill, of the death by torpedo action of her husband
Lieut. Stanley John Hammond. Lieut. Hammond joined the Navy three years ago, and had the unusual experience of being taken prisoner on a U-boat. He was a brother-in-law of the late Corporal T.G. Dickens, D.C.M., of Pill, and was well known at Swindon and in seafaring circles at Bristol and Avonmouth.
Bristol Times and Mirror - Wednesday 15 May 1918
Roll of Honour
HAMMOND— Killed by torpedo May5th Lieut Stanley John Hammond, beloved husband
Miriam Hammond, of Springfield Road, Pill, (formerly of Swindon)
Bristol Times and Mirror - Wednesday 15 May 1918
LIEUT J HAMMOND News has reached Bristol, of the death, killed by torpedo of Lieut Stanley John Hammond husband of Mrs Hammond of Springfield Road Pill formerly of Swindon.
Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Thursday 23 May 1918
Killed
LIEUT Stanley J Hammond. R.N.R.
Bristol Times and Mirror - Thursday 23 May 1918
LIEUT. S.J. HAMMOND
Official news has now been received by Mrs. Hammond, of Springfield Road. Pill, of the death by torpedo action of her husband
Lieut. Stanley John Hammond. Lieut. Hammond joined the Navy three years ago, and had the unusual experience of being taken prisoner on a U-boat. He was a brother-in-law of the late Corporal T.G. Dickens, D.C.M., of Pill, and was well known at Swindon and in seafaring circles at Bristol and Avonmouth.
HUGHES, Albert H, Stoker Petty Officer, 366197 (Ch)
JACKSON, Joseph, Leading Stoker, K 8323 (Ch)
MARSHALL, Henry G, Leading Stoker, K 15877 (Ch)
Dover Express - Friday 02 May 1919
MARSHALL.—In ever loving memory of my dear husband, Henry G-E. Marshall, who lost his life by the sinking of H.M.S. " Rhododendron on 5th May, 1918. He lives with me in memory still, And will for evermore. —From his loving Wife and Baby.
MARSHALL.—In loving memory of Henry G. E. Marshall, who lost his life at sea on sth May, 1918.
We do not forget him, nor do we intend,
We think of him daily, and will to the end,
Gone and forgotten by some he may be,
But dear in our memory he ever will be. —From Mum, Dad, Kate and Nora.
MARSHALL.—In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Henry George Edward Marshall, who lost his life at sea May 5th, 1918, on one of H.M. ships, aged 25 years.
Though one long year has passed Since that great sorrow fell,
Still in our hearts we mourn the loss.
Of him we loved so well.
Only those who have lost dear ones are able .to tell
The pain that is felt in not saying farewell. —From his sorrowing Father, Mother and Brothers.
MARSHALL. —In loving memory of my dear nephew, Henry George Edward Marshall, who lost his life at sea on one of H.M. ships May 5th, 1918, aged 25 years. It may be a sailor's honour For his country's cause to fall, But we cannot think of the glory For the sorrow it caused us all. —From Aunt Love, Uncle and Cousin.
Dover Express - Friday 02 May 1919
MARSHALL.—In ever loving memory of my dear husband, Henry G-E. Marshall, who lost his life by the sinking of H.M.S. " Rhododendron on 5th May, 1918. He lives with me in memory still, And will for evermore. —From his loving Wife and Baby.
MARSHALL.—In loving memory of Henry G. E. Marshall, who lost his life at sea on sth May, 1918.
We do not forget him, nor do we intend,
We think of him daily, and will to the end,
Gone and forgotten by some he may be,
But dear in our memory he ever will be. —From Mum, Dad, Kate and Nora.
MARSHALL.—In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Henry George Edward Marshall, who lost his life at sea May 5th, 1918, on one of H.M. ships, aged 25 years.
Though one long year has passed Since that great sorrow fell,
Still in our hearts we mourn the loss.
Of him we loved so well.
Only those who have lost dear ones are able .to tell
The pain that is felt in not saying farewell. —From his sorrowing Father, Mother and Brothers.
MARSHALL. —In loving memory of my dear nephew, Henry George Edward Marshall, who lost his life at sea on one of H.M. ships May 5th, 1918, aged 25 years. It may be a sailor's honour For his country's cause to fall, But we cannot think of the glory For the sorrow it caused us all. —From Aunt Love, Uncle and Cousin.
PARTINGTON, Reginald C, Officer's Cook 2c, L 9285 (Ch)
TOPP, Thomas E, Leading Victualling Assistant, M 12941 (Ch)
WHITE, Ambrose W, Stoker Petty Officer, 281483 (Ch)
WILDE, Fred, Sub Lieutenant, RNR
Western Times - Friday 17 May 1918
WILDE—On May 5th, killed in action at sea, Sub-Lieut Fred Wilde, R.N.R. (formerly 2 A Battery, H.A.C.), the dearly-loved husband of Helen Wilde, Okehampton.
Western Times - Friday 17 May 1918
WILDE—On May 5th, killed in action at sea, Sub-Lieut Fred Wilde, R.N.R. (formerly 2 A Battery, H.A.C.), the dearly-loved husband of Helen Wilde, Okehampton.
