HMT Pitstruan
HMT Pitstruan. (No 89) 13/04/1917
Displacement: 206 grt.
Length: 34.7 m. Beam: 6.9 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: Steam .
Complement: 13 officers and men.
Men Lost: 11
Armament: 1 x 3 pdr
The steel trawler Pitstruan was built by A. Hall & Co Ltd., Aberdeen in 1913.
On the 13th April 1917 HMT Pitstruan approached a number of Drifters that had discovered a number of mines off Noss Head Wick, Caithness. One mine was destroyed by gunfire and was about to destroy another when HMT Pitstruan struck a mine, breaking in two. The Skipper Lt Cecil George White and a Deck Hand were the only survivors. Eleven other crew were killed in the explosion.
Displacement: 206 grt.
Length: 34.7 m. Beam: 6.9 m. Draught: m.
Propulsion: Steam .
Complement: 13 officers and men.
Men Lost: 11
Armament: 1 x 3 pdr
The steel trawler Pitstruan was built by A. Hall & Co Ltd., Aberdeen in 1913.
On the 13th April 1917 HMT Pitstruan approached a number of Drifters that had discovered a number of mines off Noss Head Wick, Caithness. One mine was destroyed by gunfire and was about to destroy another when HMT Pitstruan struck a mine, breaking in two. The Skipper Lt Cecil George White and a Deck Hand were the only survivors. Eleven other crew were killed in the explosion.
The wreck plotted on chart (1917) (PA) Position Approximate (UKHO)
The mines had been laid by UC 76 (Wilhelm Barten) earlier that day. Subsequent mine sweeping appears to have accounted for six other mines in the area as shown in the Bi Monthly minesweeping reports (ADM 116-1516).
The mines had been laid by UC 76 (Wilhelm Barten) earlier that day. Subsequent mine sweeping appears to have accounted for six other mines in the area as shown in the Bi Monthly minesweeping reports (ADM 116-1516).
KTB UC 76 with translation
The Wreck Today,
Wreck first dived by divers off the MV Karin in 1999. Below is the report on the wreck submitted to the UKHO.
''DIVED IN 5827.90N, 0259.55W [WGD] USING GPS. APPEARS TO BE THE WRECK OF AN ARMED STEAM TRAWLER. WELL BROKEN UP AND LYING IN WHAT SEEMS TO BE TWO PIECES. THERE IS A SMALL DECK GUN LYING ADJACENT TO THE BOILER AND THE BOW SECTION IS GENERALLY FLAT. THE AFT OF THE BOILER IS A TANGLE OF ENGINE REMAINS AND CONDENSER PIPES BEFORE A FUTHER PIECE OF HULL BECOMES APPARENT. SEABED FINE SAND. STANDS PROUD BY 4MTRS''
Wreck first dived by divers off the MV Karin in 1999. Below is the report on the wreck submitted to the UKHO.
''DIVED IN 5827.90N, 0259.55W [WGD] USING GPS. APPEARS TO BE THE WRECK OF AN ARMED STEAM TRAWLER. WELL BROKEN UP AND LYING IN WHAT SEEMS TO BE TWO PIECES. THERE IS A SMALL DECK GUN LYING ADJACENT TO THE BOILER AND THE BOW SECTION IS GENERALLY FLAT. THE AFT OF THE BOILER IS A TANGLE OF ENGINE REMAINS AND CONDENSER PIPES BEFORE A FUTHER PIECE OF HULL BECOMES APPARENT. SEABED FINE SAND. STANDS PROUD BY 4MTRS''
The crew of HMT Pitstruan - (Research ongoing.)
AMOS, Joseph H, Ordinary Telegraphist, RNVR, London Z 2590
BRUCE, Matthew G, Leading Deck Hand, RNR, DA 12880
BURWOOD, William J, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 235
DIGBY, Ronald R, Ty/Skipper, RNR
DUTHIE, Charles J, 2nd Hand, RNR, DA 2420
FINDLAY, William, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 126
GIBSON, Alfred, Trimmer, RNR, TS 641
HAYCOCK, Albert E, Signalman, RNVR, Bristol Z 3823
WELCH, Martin, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 551
WILCOCK, Francis, Engineman, RNR, ES 247
WILSON, Alexander, Engineman, RNR, ES 3792