HMT Kirkland.
HMT Kirkland (No 360). 20/08/1917
Displacement: 224 grt.
Length: 36.5 m. Beam: 6.5 m. Draught: 3.5 m.
Propulsion: Triple expansion engine, 1 boiler, 1 screw.
Complement: 12 ? officers and men. Some reports of one survivor.
Men Lost: 11
Armament: yes
The steel trawler Kirkland was built by Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., North Shields in 1908 for G. H. D. Birt & D. J. Davies, Milford Haven and was registered in London LO282
On August 20th, 1917, HMT Kirkland and HMT Ethel were escorting the 2677-ton British Admiralty Oiler S.S. Kremlin from the Swarbacks Minn Anchorage, west Shetland around to Lerwick, on the east side of Shetland.
THORØY previously the Admiralty Oiler S.S. Kremlin
At 10.40 pm HMT Kirkland struck a moored mine between Ve Skerries and Papa Stour. The approximate position in the Court of Enquiry states ‘’one and a half miles N.W. Mag of Folga Skerry’’. The vessel sank almost immediately.
The other escorting trawler, HMT Ethel went to the aid of the sunken trawler and ''did all that was possible to save life''. Some reports state one survivor was picked up.
The enquiry into the sinking found the loss of life of those onboard was due to the fact that most were down below when the explosion occurred and that those that were on deck could not swim.
The skipper of HMT Ethel came in for some harsh criticism for his actions in trying to save the crew of HMT Kirkland.
Under Article 724, King’s regulations and Admiralty instructions ⃰⃰ ‘’ for deserting the convoy placed in his charge without sufficient reason’’ It was also found ‘’His conduct and judgement on this occasion appears to have been most unsatisfactory ‘’.
⃰⃰(King’s regulations and Admiralty instructions Article 724:Logging Offences. If the Captain should consider an offence committed by an officer to be of such a nature as to necessitate its being recorded with a view to future reference under the provisions of Article 698, sub-clause (a) (ii), he is to cause the facts to be entered in the log, and the statement which is logged is to be read by the officer, who is to sign his name to it as evidence of his knowledge of the entry.)
The other escorting trawler, HMT Ethel went to the aid of the sunken trawler and ''did all that was possible to save life''. Some reports state one survivor was picked up.
The enquiry into the sinking found the loss of life of those onboard was due to the fact that most were down below when the explosion occurred and that those that were on deck could not swim.
The skipper of HMT Ethel came in for some harsh criticism for his actions in trying to save the crew of HMT Kirkland.
Under Article 724, King’s regulations and Admiralty instructions ⃰⃰ ‘’ for deserting the convoy placed in his charge without sufficient reason’’ It was also found ‘’His conduct and judgement on this occasion appears to have been most unsatisfactory ‘’.
⃰⃰(King’s regulations and Admiralty instructions Article 724:Logging Offences. If the Captain should consider an offence committed by an officer to be of such a nature as to necessitate its being recorded with a view to future reference under the provisions of Article 698, sub-clause (a) (ii), he is to cause the facts to be entered in the log, and the statement which is logged is to be read by the officer, who is to sign his name to it as evidence of his knowledge of the entry.)
Mine-sweeping Reports
ADM 116-1517. Bi Monthly Minesweeping Reports. 16th - 31st August 1917. (125)
ADM 116-1517. Bi Monthly Minesweeping Reports. 1st - 15th September 1917. (126)
The Mine
HMT Kirkland had struck a Mk V mine laid by the German U Boat U-80, Kapitänleutnant Alfred von Glasenapp.
(https://uboat.net/wwi/men/commanders/92.htm ), between Folga Skerry & Ve Skerry Shetland. 11 crew were lost.
SMS U-80 KTB
U80 was an UE 1 mine-laying U Boat. The KTB shows that a number of mine lines were laid west of Shetland.
28th June 1917. 12.30 pm a line of 6 mines were laid between Ve Skerries and Papa Stour. This line was 129c and it was one of these mines that sank HMT Kirkland.
HMT Kirkland had struck a Mk V mine laid by the German U Boat U-80, Kapitänleutnant Alfred von Glasenapp.
(https://uboat.net/wwi/men/commanders/92.htm ), between Folga Skerry & Ve Skerry Shetland. 11 crew were lost.
SMS U-80 KTB
U80 was an UE 1 mine-laying U Boat. The KTB shows that a number of mine lines were laid west of Shetland.
28th June 1917. 12.30 pm a line of 6 mines were laid between Ve Skerries and Papa Stour. This line was 129c and it was one of these mines that sank HMT Kirkland.
Ve Skerries & Papa Stour. Shetland Sheet 2 (1927) UKHO. Chart constructed from KTB U-80 showing mine lines. (Spindler)
The Wreck Today.
The wreck to date has not been located. There is no UKHO Wreck Card for HMT Kirkland.
The chart above shows a charted wreck in approximately the right location for HMT Kirkland but dated (1916). A review of the UKHO wreck cards show this charted wreck symbol is for the Norwegian steamship SS Glitra, sunk 10/08/1916 after running aground on Papa Stour.
