HMT Orsino
HMT Orsino. (No 602) 28/09/1916
Displacement: 172 grt.
Length: 33.1 m. Beam: 6.4 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: Steam, 1 x boiler Triple Expansion Engine.
Complement: 10 officers and men.
Crew Lost: 6
Armament: 1 x 3pdr
The Orsino was a steel steam trawler built by Mackie & Thomson Co. Glasgow in 1906 for Hull Northern Fishing Co. Ltd. - Hellyer Bros Ltd. - Hellyer Steam Fishing Co. Ltd., Hull Registered in Hull with the fishing number was H854, (1906 to 1914)
Orsino was hired to the Royal Navy from 1914 as a patrol vessel and was given pennant number FY602.
Lloyd's List - Thursday 18 January 1906
SHIPBUILDING & ENGINEERING LAUNCHES.
ORSINO —On Dec. 28 a steel trawler of about 190 tons gross, named Orsino, was launched at Govan. Owners r Hellyer Steam Fishing Company (Limited). Port of registry : Hull.
Orsino was hired to the Royal Navy from 1914 as a patrol vessel and was given pennant number FY602.
Lloyd's List - Thursday 18 January 1906
SHIPBUILDING & ENGINEERING LAUNCHES.
ORSINO —On Dec. 28 a steel trawler of about 190 tons gross, named Orsino, was launched at Govan. Owners r Hellyer Steam Fishing Company (Limited). Port of registry : Hull.
History
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 04 December 1912
DRUM OF CARBIDE EXPLODES And Four Men Are Seriously Injured.
Two engineers, the cook. and a trimmer were seriously scalded by the explosion of a drum of carbide on the trawler Orsino, of Hull, which ran ashore South Killmgholme, in the Humber, during the night The injured were taken Hull Royal Infirmary.
Beverley and East Riding Recorder - Saturday 07 December 1912
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN THE HUMBER. At a late hour on Tuesday night, the steam trawler Orsino, owned by Messrs Hellayer, of Hull, got aground at Killingholme on the Lincolnshire side of the Humber, and whilst she was =0 stranded a shocking explosion occurred, in which four members of the crew were seriously injured. It is said that the explosion was due to water running into a generator containing about a half cwt. of carbide. The services of the tug Pioneer, of Hull, were secured by & messenger who walked to Immingham. The tug took the injured men on board, arriving at Hull about five o'clock on Wednesday morning. The victims were at once conveyed to the Royal Infirmary, where they were attended to by Dr, Mclean. Three of them were so badly injured that they were detained for treatment, but a youth named Wright was able to leave for his home after treatment.
Hull Daily Mail - Saturday 21 December 1912
THE WEEK'S TRAGEDY AND POLICE. HULL WEEK-END TRAGEDIES,
A chapter of week-end tragedies have been reported to the Hull Coroner, who held six inquests on Monday afternoon. The inquiries include the death of Alfred Roberts (44), chief engineer of the Hull trawler Orsino, who succumbed to serious injuries in the Hull Infirmary Saturday night, as a. result an explosion on the vessel, when off Killingholme, on the 3rd inst. Roberts, who lived in Wyke-avenue, Selby street, sustained shocking injuries, and had lingered in the Infirmary for nearly a fortnight. The inquiry by the Hull Coroner, we understand. will be adjourned for the attendance of an Inspector of Explosives. The trawler, will be remembered, left Hull for the North Sea on December 3rd. The skipper, George Jos Hill, of 2, Herbert's-terrace, Regent-street, Hull, was steering on the bridge, and in the evening, when off Kilhngholme there was a loud report from the engine room. The skipper was knocked down, but immediately regained his feet. The second engineer called for assistance, and the skipper went to the engine room, and found Roberts trying to reach the deck. He was in great pain, and the skipper helped him to the deck. The skipper noticed the second engineer, Hezekiah Wm. Souter, of 75, Sherburn-street, Hull, had sustained burns on his head, and took him, along with Roberts, the cabin for medical treatment. Returning to the deck the skipper saw the trimmer, Thomas Sherburn Wright, of 60, Marmaduke-street, and the cook, Thomas Weer, 8, Emily's-terrace, Strickland-street, Hull, when both complained of injuries and they received attention. The injured men were placed board a tug, and brought the Hull Infirmary. The skipper went into the engine-room and found that a drum of carbide had exploded. The trimmer stated the vessel appeared to ground and roll the port side. This caused a drum containing- about 1 cwt. of carbide to roll underneath the engine, and it exploded through coming into contact with the engine cranks. The trimmer was blown through the companion way. Souter, it appears, was about remove the drum of carbide as immediately it rolled underneath the engine, and Roberts exclaimed, "Look out for explosion. The unfortunate man's injuries included severe burns to the head, face, and hands. With the exception the trimmer, the other men were detained................
DRUM OF CARBIDE EXPLODES And Four Men Are Seriously Injured.
Two engineers, the cook. and a trimmer were seriously scalded by the explosion of a drum of carbide on the trawler Orsino, of Hull, which ran ashore South Killmgholme, in the Humber, during the night The injured were taken Hull Royal Infirmary.
Beverley and East Riding Recorder - Saturday 07 December 1912
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN THE HUMBER. At a late hour on Tuesday night, the steam trawler Orsino, owned by Messrs Hellayer, of Hull, got aground at Killingholme on the Lincolnshire side of the Humber, and whilst she was =0 stranded a shocking explosion occurred, in which four members of the crew were seriously injured. It is said that the explosion was due to water running into a generator containing about a half cwt. of carbide. The services of the tug Pioneer, of Hull, were secured by & messenger who walked to Immingham. The tug took the injured men on board, arriving at Hull about five o'clock on Wednesday morning. The victims were at once conveyed to the Royal Infirmary, where they were attended to by Dr, Mclean. Three of them were so badly injured that they were detained for treatment, but a youth named Wright was able to leave for his home after treatment.
Hull Daily Mail - Saturday 21 December 1912
THE WEEK'S TRAGEDY AND POLICE. HULL WEEK-END TRAGEDIES,
A chapter of week-end tragedies have been reported to the Hull Coroner, who held six inquests on Monday afternoon. The inquiries include the death of Alfred Roberts (44), chief engineer of the Hull trawler Orsino, who succumbed to serious injuries in the Hull Infirmary Saturday night, as a. result an explosion on the vessel, when off Killingholme, on the 3rd inst. Roberts, who lived in Wyke-avenue, Selby street, sustained shocking injuries, and had lingered in the Infirmary for nearly a fortnight. The inquiry by the Hull Coroner, we understand. will be adjourned for the attendance of an Inspector of Explosives. The trawler, will be remembered, left Hull for the North Sea on December 3rd. The skipper, George Jos Hill, of 2, Herbert's-terrace, Regent-street, Hull, was steering on the bridge, and in the evening, when off Kilhngholme there was a loud report from the engine room. The skipper was knocked down, but immediately regained his feet. The second engineer called for assistance, and the skipper went to the engine room, and found Roberts trying to reach the deck. He was in great pain, and the skipper helped him to the deck. The skipper noticed the second engineer, Hezekiah Wm. Souter, of 75, Sherburn-street, Hull, had sustained burns on his head, and took him, along with Roberts, the cabin for medical treatment. Returning to the deck the skipper saw the trimmer, Thomas Sherburn Wright, of 60, Marmaduke-street, and the cook, Thomas Weer, 8, Emily's-terrace, Strickland-street, Hull, when both complained of injuries and they received attention. The injured men were placed board a tug, and brought the Hull Infirmary. The skipper went into the engine-room and found that a drum of carbide had exploded. The trimmer stated the vessel appeared to ground and roll the port side. This caused a drum containing- about 1 cwt. of carbide to roll underneath the engine, and it exploded through coming into contact with the engine cranks. The trimmer was blown through the companion way. Souter, it appears, was about remove the drum of carbide as immediately it rolled underneath the engine, and Roberts exclaimed, "Look out for explosion. The unfortunate man's injuries included severe burns to the head, face, and hands. With the exception the trimmer, the other men were detained................
The Loss
HMT Orsino left Stromness to patrol the swept channel off the north coast of Scotland on the 26th September 1916 for a two day patrol, due to return on the 27th September before noon but failed to do so. On the 28th September a message was wired to the HM Trawler Sesostris (No 1998) at Loch Eriboll to see if there was any news of Orsino. On the 29th September HMT Sesostris was sent out to conduct a search along with HMT Cambodia (No 1521) but no trace was found.
Lt Lazenby RNR of HMT Sesostris reported that on a previous occasion HMT Orsino had been found with a trawl down in the area of the minefield and was ordered not to trawl in the area of the minefield. (HD191/885).
It was originally believed that HMT Orsino had struck a mine or was lost to some other cause with the loss of all crew and in October 1916 a section of the wheelhouse, belonging to HMT Orsino, washed ashore in the Bay of Ireland, off Stromness, with shell fragments embedded in it. (National Archive ADM 1/8468/232).
It was later learned that six men died in an attack and four of the crew were taken prisoner by the U-boat U 55 (Wilhelm Werner) and landed in Helgoland.
U55
The logbook (KTB)(Kriegstagebücher) from U55 on 28/09/1916 has the following entry translated .......
“Piloting to Pentland Firth when 10 points to port a steamer heading north is sighted, Submerged. Steamer cannot really be identified. Distance about 2500 (meters). Because it could be an auxiliary ship of some sort, followed the ship with high speed. Course 265°. Steamer went out of sight in the fog. Hunt cancelled. Course leads into Möve-Mines area. While pursuing, passed an outpost ship at 10.15 in a distance of 2000 meters; to prevent a position being signalled of the U boats position by the steamer, steamer sunk with artillery. Square 043 alpha. Four prisoners were taken on board. Steamer was a fish steamer, Admiralty Nr. 602, fishing Nr. 864, with a 7,6cm gun, 12 man crew. ''
The left margin has typed ‘visibility 1 to 2 miles, For Pentland Firth. East by South 5 (wind) Fog and rain.’
Written by hand in margin is ''10 miles, Thurso. Process combat 1 hit”.
The logbook (KTB)(Kriegstagebücher) from U55 on 28/09/1916 has the following entry translated .......
“Piloting to Pentland Firth when 10 points to port a steamer heading north is sighted, Submerged. Steamer cannot really be identified. Distance about 2500 (meters). Because it could be an auxiliary ship of some sort, followed the ship with high speed. Course 265°. Steamer went out of sight in the fog. Hunt cancelled. Course leads into Möve-Mines area. While pursuing, passed an outpost ship at 10.15 in a distance of 2000 meters; to prevent a position being signalled of the U boats position by the steamer, steamer sunk with artillery. Square 043 alpha. Four prisoners were taken on board. Steamer was a fish steamer, Admiralty Nr. 602, fishing Nr. 864, with a 7,6cm gun, 12 man crew. ''
The left margin has typed ‘visibility 1 to 2 miles, For Pentland Firth. East by South 5 (wind) Fog and rain.’
Written by hand in margin is ''10 miles, Thurso. Process combat 1 hit”.
U55’s KTB shows that the attack took place in grid square 043 alpha. This is a German coded grid used by U Boats to report positions. The image above taken from U 33s KTB map and shows where 043 alpha is located.
The Crew (Research ongoing)
Crew Lost
Name - BLOW, Tom, (31)
DOB - 24th May 1889
Place of Birth -Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Parents - Son of Mary Ann Blow, of 6, Doughty Rd., Grimsby, and the late George William Blow,
Early History -
Rank - Engineman, RNR, ES 1393.
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Blow T. engineman R.N.R.
DOB - 24th May 1889
Place of Birth -Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Parents - Son of Mary Ann Blow, of 6, Doughty Rd., Grimsby, and the late George William Blow,
Early History -
Rank - Engineman, RNR, ES 1393.
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Blow T. engineman R.N.R.
Sources:
BT 377/7/130801
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/130801
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - BOWLES, John, Alexander,
DOB - 4th January 1879
Place of Birth - Scarborough
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Deck Hand, RNR, DA 1400.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Bowles J.A. Deckhand R.N.R.
DOB - 4th January 1879
Place of Birth - Scarborough
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Deck Hand, RNR, DA 1400.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Bowles J.A. Deckhand R.N.R.
Sources:
BT 377/7/47877
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/47877
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - COWIE, George,(28)
DOB - 5th July 1888
Place of Birth - Buckie, Banffshire
Parents - Son of John and Mary Cowie, of 54, West Church St., Buckie,
Early History -
Rank - 2nd Hand, RNR, SA 1117.
Service History - Remembered on the Buckie War Memorial and the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Cowie 2nd Hand R.N.R,
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 October 1916
A Buckie Navyman.
George Cowie, son of John Cowie, 54 West Ckurgh Street, Buckie, mate of an H.M. trawler, reported missing.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 26 February 1919
BUCKIE MATE DROWNED SUBMARINE ATTACK. Mrs Geo. Cowie, 7 Sutherland Street, Buckie, has just learned the fate of her husband, who was mate of H.M.T. Orsino when that vessel was sunk by a submarine over two years ago, and be was reported missing. The stoker of the vessel, who belongs to Grimsby, recently arrived home from captivity, and states that the Orsino was attacked by a submarine near Stromness in September, 1916. When the vessel was damaged by gunfire the stoker and three companions jumped into the sea, and were picked and taken prisoners by the Germans. The submarine then dived and made off, but when the stoker last saw the Orsino the mate and other five of the crew were still on board unharmed, but as no other craft was in sight they must down with the sinking vessel.
Banffshire Advertiser - Thursday 27 February 1919
A BUCKIE SEAMAN'S FATE. - In September, 1916, H.M.T. Orsino was sunk by a submarine while on patrol duty in Orkney waters, when Mate George Cowie, Buckie, was reported missing. His widow, who resides at 7 Sutherland Street, has just received particulars as to his fate from the stoker of the vessel—Tom Dibdin, Grimsby, who recently arrived home after being a prisoner in Germany for more than two years. The stoker says that the Orsino was going into the base at Stromness about nine o'clock in the morning of 28th September, 1916, and when off Strathy a submarine (U55) sighted the vessel and made straight for her. The submarine was armed with two powerful guns. Her first shot put the Orsino’s gun out of action, while the second knocked her small boat to pieces, The firing went on for about twenty minutes, during which Dibdin was in the engine-room, but he then came on deck and joined the others, who were taking shelter in the bows of the boat and were unharmed. Dlbdin and other three members of the crew jumped overboard, and after being in the water for some time they were picked up by the crew of the submarine and taken prisoners, When the stoker was on board the U-boat he looked back and saw Cowie and the other five men still unharmed and sheltering in the bows. Soon afterwards the submarine dived and went off. The six men left on the sinking vessel must have gone down with the ship, but had any patrol boat been in the vicinity they should have been rescued, The mate was 29 years of age and had been in the R.N.R. for about two years. He leaves a widow and two sons,
DOB - 5th July 1888
Place of Birth - Buckie, Banffshire
Parents - Son of John and Mary Cowie, of 54, West Church St., Buckie,
Early History -
Rank - 2nd Hand, RNR, SA 1117.
Service History - Remembered on the Buckie War Memorial and the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Cowie 2nd Hand R.N.R,
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 October 1916
A Buckie Navyman.
George Cowie, son of John Cowie, 54 West Ckurgh Street, Buckie, mate of an H.M. trawler, reported missing.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 26 February 1919
BUCKIE MATE DROWNED SUBMARINE ATTACK. Mrs Geo. Cowie, 7 Sutherland Street, Buckie, has just learned the fate of her husband, who was mate of H.M.T. Orsino when that vessel was sunk by a submarine over two years ago, and be was reported missing. The stoker of the vessel, who belongs to Grimsby, recently arrived home from captivity, and states that the Orsino was attacked by a submarine near Stromness in September, 1916. When the vessel was damaged by gunfire the stoker and three companions jumped into the sea, and were picked and taken prisoners by the Germans. The submarine then dived and made off, but when the stoker last saw the Orsino the mate and other five of the crew were still on board unharmed, but as no other craft was in sight they must down with the sinking vessel.
Banffshire Advertiser - Thursday 27 February 1919
A BUCKIE SEAMAN'S FATE. - In September, 1916, H.M.T. Orsino was sunk by a submarine while on patrol duty in Orkney waters, when Mate George Cowie, Buckie, was reported missing. His widow, who resides at 7 Sutherland Street, has just received particulars as to his fate from the stoker of the vessel—Tom Dibdin, Grimsby, who recently arrived home after being a prisoner in Germany for more than two years. The stoker says that the Orsino was going into the base at Stromness about nine o'clock in the morning of 28th September, 1916, and when off Strathy a submarine (U55) sighted the vessel and made straight for her. The submarine was armed with two powerful guns. Her first shot put the Orsino’s gun out of action, while the second knocked her small boat to pieces, The firing went on for about twenty minutes, during which Dibdin was in the engine-room, but he then came on deck and joined the others, who were taking shelter in the bows of the boat and were unharmed. Dlbdin and other three members of the crew jumped overboard, and after being in the water for some time they were picked up by the crew of the submarine and taken prisoners, When the stoker was on board the U-boat he looked back and saw Cowie and the other five men still unharmed and sheltering in the bows. Soon afterwards the submarine dived and went off. The six men left on the sinking vessel must have gone down with the ship, but had any patrol boat been in the vicinity they should have been rescued, The mate was 29 years of age and had been in the R.N.R. for about two years. He leaves a widow and two sons,
Buckie War Memorial. Photo: © Martin Briscoe (WMR-6033)
Banffshire Advertiser - Thursday 30 September 1920
IN MEMORIAM.
COWIE.—In loving memory of our dear daddy, George Cowie, who went down with the ill-fated ship, Orsino, off Stromness, on the 28th Sept., 1916, in his 29th year. —lnserted by his twin sons, George and Alex Cowie, Union St., Lossiemouth.
COWIE. —ln loving memory of our dear son, George Cowie, mate, HM.T. Orsino, who was killed at sea on 28th September, 1916.
No green grass grows above his head,
Nor oer his grave a tear we shed:
His unknown grave is the bitterest blow,
Only a mother's aching heart can know,
Your voyage of life's at an end,
Your mortal affliction is past;
The age that in Heaven you spend
For ever and ever shall last.
—lnserted by his Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Rowallan, W. Church St., Buckie.
IN MEMORIAM.
COWIE.—In loving memory of our dear daddy, George Cowie, who went down with the ill-fated ship, Orsino, off Stromness, on the 28th Sept., 1916, in his 29th year. —lnserted by his twin sons, George and Alex Cowie, Union St., Lossiemouth.
COWIE. —ln loving memory of our dear son, George Cowie, mate, HM.T. Orsino, who was killed at sea on 28th September, 1916.
No green grass grows above his head,
Nor oer his grave a tear we shed:
His unknown grave is the bitterest blow,
Only a mother's aching heart can know,
Your voyage of life's at an end,
Your mortal affliction is past;
The age that in Heaven you spend
For ever and ever shall last.
—lnserted by his Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Rowallan, W. Church St., Buckie.
Sources:
BT 377/7/87444
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/87444
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Skipper Grinlaw (Hull Daily Mail)
Name - GRINLAW, Thomas,
DOB - 11th October 1873
Place of Birth -Whitby, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Ty/Skipper, RNR SA 993.
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 09 October 1916
NAVAL CASUALTIES
MISSING
Skipper Thomas Grinlaw, R.N.R.
Army and Navy Gazette - Saturday 21 October 1916
The Casualty List
ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE
Previously Reported Missing, now Presumed Killed.— Skipper T. Grinlaw.
Hull Daily Mail - Friday 28 September 1917
Grinlaw.—ln loving memory of dear husband Skipper Thomas Grinlaw, who was killed at sea, September 28th,1916
No flowers grow, no roses bloom,
Upon a sailor's grave,
For he sleeps in the secret sea.
And not one gentle whispering wave
Will tell the place to me.
—From wife and family.
Hull Daily Mail - Wednesday 03 January 1917
Skipper Thomas Grinlaw,(photo) of 12, Prince's avenue, West Dock-avenue, who was lost on a mine-sweeper. He was was 43, and leaves a widow and six children. had been in the service two years He was apprenticed with Mr J. Holmes in the time of the smacks, and had sailed for many years for Messrs Hellyer's.
Hull Daily Mail - Monday 29 September 1919
GRINLAW - In loving memory of my dear husband Captain Thomas Grinlaw, killed on one of H.M. trawlers, 28th Sept., 1916.
A loving husband and father kind,
Beautiful memory left behind.
- Wife and children.
DOB - 11th October 1873
Place of Birth -Whitby, Yorkshire
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Ty/Skipper, RNR SA 993.
Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 09 October 1916
NAVAL CASUALTIES
MISSING
Skipper Thomas Grinlaw, R.N.R.
Army and Navy Gazette - Saturday 21 October 1916
The Casualty List
ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE
Previously Reported Missing, now Presumed Killed.— Skipper T. Grinlaw.
Hull Daily Mail - Friday 28 September 1917
Grinlaw.—ln loving memory of dear husband Skipper Thomas Grinlaw, who was killed at sea, September 28th,1916
No flowers grow, no roses bloom,
Upon a sailor's grave,
For he sleeps in the secret sea.
And not one gentle whispering wave
Will tell the place to me.
—From wife and family.
Hull Daily Mail - Wednesday 03 January 1917
Skipper Thomas Grinlaw,(photo) of 12, Prince's avenue, West Dock-avenue, who was lost on a mine-sweeper. He was was 43, and leaves a widow and six children. had been in the service two years He was apprenticed with Mr J. Holmes in the time of the smacks, and had sailed for many years for Messrs Hellyer's.
Hull Daily Mail - Monday 29 September 1919
GRINLAW - In loving memory of my dear husband Captain Thomas Grinlaw, killed on one of H.M. trawlers, 28th Sept., 1916.
A loving husband and father kind,
Beautiful memory left behind.
- Wife and children.
Sources:
BT 377/7/125173
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/125173
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - KIRKPATRICK, Charles,(20)
DOB - 19th July 1897
Place of Birth - Bressay, Shetland
Parents -
Early History - Husband of Susan Hay Kirkpatrick,
Rank - Deck Hand, RNR, DA 8003.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Kirkpatrick C. Deckhand R.N.R.
DOB - 19th July 1897
Place of Birth - Bressay, Shetland
Parents -
Early History - Husband of Susan Hay Kirkpatrick,
Rank - Deck Hand, RNR, DA 8003.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Kirkpatrick C. Deckhand R.N.R.
Sources:
BT 377/7/54457
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/54457
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Name - WOOD, Alexander,
DOB - 21 April 1896
Place of Birth - Aberdeen
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Deck Hand, RNR, DA 9523.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Wood A. Deckhand R.N.R.
DOB - 21 April 1896
Place of Birth - Aberdeen
Parents -
Early History -
Rank - Deck Hand, RNR, DA 9523.
Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 October 1916
NAVAL LOSSES
MISSING
Wood A. Deckhand R.N.R.
Sources:
BT 377/7/55977
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
BT 377/7/55977
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Taken Prisoner
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 11 October 1916
THE NAVY
H.M. SHIPS
Missing
Trimmer Tomas Campbell Dibdin, do.
Leading Seaman Thomas Edward Humphrey, do.
Deckhands James Edward New, do.
Engineman William Redman Woodruff,do.
After HMT Orsino was sunk four survivors were found by the U-55 and taken prisoner. All were slightly injured and were landed by U-55 to a hospital at Helgoland. The survivors were:
DIBDIN, Thomas, Campbell, Trimmer. RNR TS 998
WOODROFF, William, Redman, Chief Petty Officer, RNR ES 721
NEW, James, Edward, Deck Hand, RNR DA 9553
HUMPHREY Thomas, Edward, Deck Hand, RNR C 2718
From ADM 1/8468/232
When considered fit the prisoners were sent to a Prisoner of War camp.
A letter from Berlin dated received 21/11/1916 states Dibdin, Woodroff and New were sent to Brandenburg POW camp near Berlin but there was no mention of Humphrey.
Brandenburg Prison of War camp (Brandenburg An Der Havel) was a camp 40 miles west of Berlin. Many Royal Navy and merchant sailor's of various nationality's were held here. Most prisoners would arrive at the camp via barges on the river Havel.
A later report dated 28th November 1916 states Humphrey was taken from fortress hospital Helgoland to fortress hospital Wilhelmshaven suffering from a wound to his back.
A letter from Berlin dated received 21/11/1916 states Dibdin, Woodroff and New were sent to Brandenburg POW camp near Berlin but there was no mention of Humphrey.
Brandenburg Prison of War camp (Brandenburg An Der Havel) was a camp 40 miles west of Berlin. Many Royal Navy and merchant sailor's of various nationality's were held here. Most prisoners would arrive at the camp via barges on the river Havel.
A later report dated 28th November 1916 states Humphrey was taken from fortress hospital Helgoland to fortress hospital Wilhelmshaven suffering from a wound to his back.
Unknown Sailor
While in Aberdeen Maritime Museum a postcard of an unknown sailor off H.M. Trawler Orsino was seen in one of the display cabinets.. I wonder if he was one of the crew lost or one of the four taken prisoner or was lucky enough not to be aboard when Orsino was lost ?
