HMT Othonna
HMT Othonna. (Adty No 940) 20/04/1917
Displacement: 180 grt.
Length: 33.9 m. Beam: 6.4 m. 3.3 m Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: 13 officers and men.
Men Lost: 9
Armament: 1 x 3 pdr
Displacement: 180 grt.
Length: 33.9 m. Beam: 6.4 m. 3.3 m Draught:
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: 13 officers and men.
Men Lost: 9
Armament: 1 x 3 pdr
The steel trawler Othonna was built in 1899 by Duthie J. - John Duthie, Sons & Co. - Torry Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Aberdeen, Yard No 200. The trawler was registered and fished out of Milford Haven until requestioned by the Royal Navy and put into service as a mine sweeper.
UC-41
On the night of April 18/19, 1917 UC-41(Kurt Bernis) laid a mine line, consisting of 7 mines NE of May Island.
THE LOSS
HMT Othonna was part of a minesweeping trawlers based in Granton which would sweep and destroy mines in the Firth of Forth.
On the morning of the 20th of April 1917, one of the the Engineers onboard HMT Othonna, Neil McKay or George Davies, reported that the engine was defective and needed repair. The minesweeping trawlers HMT Brecon Castle & HMT Izaak Walton were sent a message saying it would be about two hours to make repairs.
A message came back saying that the mine sweeping patrol would be sweeping two miles from the North Carr Light Ship. HMT Izaak Walton was ordered to stand by HMT Othonna until repairs completed.
Shortly after, at 6 a.m. HMT Othonna reported engines were now repaired so set off with HMT Izaak Walton for the sweeping area.
At about 09.30 a.m. two trawlers approached the sweeping area and the unit was sighted about four and a half miles north east of May Island.
As the two trawlers got nearer it was observed that the unit had the signal hoisted ''Mines in sight''. Two mines were observed on the surface and the unit were firing on them. HMT Breacon Castal, via semaphore, ordered HMT Othonna to take station to the windward and engage.
The skipper Alex McLeod was in the wheelhouse, with 2nd Hand Robert Marr. The mate had gone on deck to fire at the mines with a Winchester rifle. As the trawler was about to get into position the HMT Izaak Walton crossed the bow of HMT Othonna and caused her to stop and at that moment HMT Othonna struck a submerged mine.
The skipper and 2nd Hand found themselves in the water having been blown out of the wheelhouse. Just as the skipper righted himself with his lifebelt, he saw the stern of HMT Othonna out of the water as the vessel sank. They, together with two other crewmen, were picked up be a small boat from HMT Izaak Walton.
On the morning of the 20th of April 1917, one of the the Engineers onboard HMT Othonna, Neil McKay or George Davies, reported that the engine was defective and needed repair. The minesweeping trawlers HMT Brecon Castle & HMT Izaak Walton were sent a message saying it would be about two hours to make repairs.
A message came back saying that the mine sweeping patrol would be sweeping two miles from the North Carr Light Ship. HMT Izaak Walton was ordered to stand by HMT Othonna until repairs completed.
Shortly after, at 6 a.m. HMT Othonna reported engines were now repaired so set off with HMT Izaak Walton for the sweeping area.
At about 09.30 a.m. two trawlers approached the sweeping area and the unit was sighted about four and a half miles north east of May Island.
As the two trawlers got nearer it was observed that the unit had the signal hoisted ''Mines in sight''. Two mines were observed on the surface and the unit were firing on them. HMT Breacon Castal, via semaphore, ordered HMT Othonna to take station to the windward and engage.
The skipper Alex McLeod was in the wheelhouse, with 2nd Hand Robert Marr. The mate had gone on deck to fire at the mines with a Winchester rifle. As the trawler was about to get into position the HMT Izaak Walton crossed the bow of HMT Othonna and caused her to stop and at that moment HMT Othonna struck a submerged mine.
The skipper and 2nd Hand found themselves in the water having been blown out of the wheelhouse. Just as the skipper righted himself with his lifebelt, he saw the stern of HMT Othonna out of the water as the vessel sank. They, together with two other crewmen, were picked up be a small boat from HMT Izaak Walton.
Chart from ADM 137/3223 - HM Armed Trawler 940 ''Othonna''Loss of - Court of Enquiry
The Bi-Monthly minesweeping reports show all 7 mines (including the one that sank HMT Othonna) were swept.
THE WRECK
Wreck Card 2970 was created for HMT Othonna in 1919 and stated ''SUNK IN 561500N, 023000W, APPROX. (SNO GRANTON). INS WK.'' This was added to the chart as a dangerous wreck.
It was reported that no wreck was found during a sonar search in 1955 and again nothing found during a search in 1960 from HMS Scott.
Two more searches, one in 1977 by HMS Shipham and one in 1994 by Oceanics UK Ltd also failed to find the wreck and the wreck card was amended to ''DEAD''.
It was reported that no wreck was found during a sonar search in 1955 and again nothing found during a search in 1960 from HMS Scott.
Two more searches, one in 1977 by HMS Shipham and one in 1994 by Oceanics UK Ltd also failed to find the wreck and the wreck card was amended to ''DEAD''.
Chart St. Abbs Head to Aberdeen (1919) UKHO.
Footnote. The above chart shows a second wreck SE of the HMT Othonna charted position. This wreck was also added in 1919 as Wreck Card 2968 and was ''Unknown''. This wreck was also not found in the above surveys and was amended to ''DEAD'' This maybe a duplicate record for HMT Othonna.
CREW LOST
Anderson Thomas (19), Deckhand (no. 13645/DA), RNR, Son of Isabella Anderson, of 2, East Shore, Pittenweem, Remembered on the memorial at Pittenweem Parish Churchyard
Aberdeen Evening Express - Tuesday 24 April 1917
ROLL OF HONOUR.
ANDERSON -- Killed at sea, on Friday, 20th April, Thomas Anderson, mine-sweeper, Milford Haven, second son of James Anderson, Toronto. Canada, late of Lyell Cottage, George Street, Aberdeen, and brother of Mrs Mennie 15 Urquhart Street, Aberdeen— Sadly missed.
Pittenweem Parish Churchyard Fife War Memorial Photo: Chaz
Bolster John Millar (21), Signalman (no. Clyde Z/7702), RNVR, Son of Thomas James and Jane Bolster, of Clifton Rd., Selkirk, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Southern Reporter - Thursday 26 April 1917
John M. Bolster, R.N.V.R. Signaller H.M. Minesweeper, killed on April 20th, the vessel having struck a mine and sunk. Deceased, who was 2I years of age, was the only son of Mr and Mrs T. J. Bolster, of Clifton Road. Selkirk and previous to enlisting was a student the Provincial College, Edinburgh. He was one of the first Selkirk lads to join the R.N.V.R.. having enlisted about I8 months ago. It was only about month since he was home on leave. Our sincere sympathy goes out to his father and mother in the loss they have sustained by the death of so promising a young life. A memorial service will held in St. John's Church, Selkirk, on Sunday evening, 6.15.
Southern Reporter - Thursday 26 April 1917
John M. Bolster, R.N.V.R. Signaller H.M. Minesweeper, killed on April 20th, the vessel having struck a mine and sunk. Deceased, who was 2I years of age, was the only son of Mr and Mrs T. J. Bolster, of Clifton Road. Selkirk and previous to enlisting was a student the Provincial College, Edinburgh. He was one of the first Selkirk lads to join the R.N.V.R.. having enlisted about I8 months ago. It was only about month since he was home on leave. Our sincere sympathy goes out to his father and mother in the loss they have sustained by the death of so promising a young life. A memorial service will held in St. John's Church, Selkirk, on Sunday evening, 6.15.
Selkirk War Memorial Photos: David Deacon
Davies Thomas George , Engineman (no. 1620/ES), RNR. Headstone at Honeyborough Cemetery
Thomas George Davies Headstone, Honeyborough Cemetery, Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Photo James Evans
Lightly Jonathan (54), Petty Officer 2nd Class (no. 109655), Royal Fleet Reserve, Husband of Phoebe Lightly, of 44, Colville St., Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. Service: RFR/PO/A/2422, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser - Saturday 05 May 1917
LIGHTLY.__ Killed by mine explosion, April 20th, 1917. Jonathan Lightly aged 55, petty officer, dearly beloved husband of Pheobe Lightly, 44 Colville Street, Middlesbrough,
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser - Saturday 05 May 1917
LIGHTLY.__ Killed by mine explosion, April 20th, 1917. Jonathan Lightly aged 55, petty officer, dearly beloved husband of Pheobe Lightly, 44 Colville Street, Middlesbrough,
McDonald John (19), Deckhand (no. 4949SD), RNR, Son of Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, of Aird Dell, Ness, Stornoway, Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
McKay Neil , Engineman (no. 387ES), RNR Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
McLean Harrison , Deckhand (no. 14460/DA), RNR, Husband of Annie McLean, of 90, Barclay St., Stonehaven, Remembered on the memorial at Bervie Cemetery
Phillips Robert (29), Seaman (no. 1441X), Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve, †20/04/1917, Son of William Phillips, of Burgoynes Cove, Smith Sound, Trinity Bay, Remembered on the memorial at Beaumont-Hamel (Newfoundland) Memorial
Platten Henry William (24), Trimmer (no. 1703TS), RNR, Husband of Maud Eva Platten, of Low St., Rollesby, Great Yarmouth, Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and Rollesby War Memorial.
Rollesby War Memorial, Norfolk. Photo: Adrian S Pye.
SURVIVORS
Alex McLeod, Skipper
Robert Marr, 2nd Hand. (no. 2650 S.A) RNR
William Patterson Deck Hand, RNR (no. T.3644)
William Gallie, Trimmer (no. 1691TS) RNR
