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
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 for Don Fishing Co.
On the 13th April 1917 HMT Pitstruan approached a number of Drifters that had discovered two floating mines off Noss Head Wick, Caithness. One mine was destroyed by gunfire and as HMT Pitstruan was about to destroy the other when a third, unseen mine, was struck, breaking the vessel in two.
The Skipper Lt Cecil George White and a Deck Hand were the only survivors. Eleven other crew were killed in the explosion.
On the 13th April 1917 HMT Pitstruan approached a number of Drifters that had discovered two floating mines off Noss Head Wick, Caithness. One mine was destroyed by gunfire and as HMT Pitstruan was about to destroy the other when a third, unseen mine, was struck, breaking the vessel in two.
The Skipper Lt Cecil George White and a Deck Hand were the only survivors. Eleven other crew were killed in the explosion.
HD 1917/1366
HMS Assistance
21st April 1917
Sir
In accordance with your memorandum No 17, we have the
honour to report that we have this day held a full and careful
enquiry as far as circumstances permit into the loss of
H.M. Trawler Pitstruan and find the no blame is attributed to
anyone.
Lieutenant White R.N,R, Commanding Officer was carrying
out his orders escorting the Trawler ''James Pitchers'' to the
southward - when he heard firing and sighted two trawlers
between himself and the land. Having ascertained that there
was no officer onboard these trawlers he took charge of the
operation of sinking two mines on the surface in the course
of which the ''Pitstruan'' was blown up by a third mine which
was not watching.
We consider Lieutenant White R.N,R was justified in
considering the two mines sighted to be detached and
drifting, both by the report received from the ''Lapwing''
and the fact they were on the surface.
We hare the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servants
signed H.M.R. Betty.
Captain.
HMS Assistance
signed B.R. Brooke.
Commander
H.M.S. Myrtle
The Admiral Commanding
Orkneys & Shetlands..
HMS Assistance
21st April 1917
Sir
In accordance with your memorandum No 17, we have the
honour to report that we have this day held a full and careful
enquiry as far as circumstances permit into the loss of
H.M. Trawler Pitstruan and find the no blame is attributed to
anyone.
Lieutenant White R.N,R, Commanding Officer was carrying
out his orders escorting the Trawler ''James Pitchers'' to the
southward - when he heard firing and sighted two trawlers
between himself and the land. Having ascertained that there
was no officer onboard these trawlers he took charge of the
operation of sinking two mines on the surface in the course
of which the ''Pitstruan'' was blown up by a third mine which
was not watching.
We consider Lieutenant White R.N,R was justified in
considering the two mines sighted to be detached and
drifting, both by the report received from the ''Lapwing''
and the fact they were on the surface.
We hare the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servants
signed H.M.R. Betty.
Captain.
HMS Assistance
signed B.R. Brooke.
Commander
H.M.S. Myrtle
The Admiral Commanding
Orkneys & Shetlands..
The Wreck
UKHO wreck card 1210.
In 1917 the wreck position was given as 582830N, 025630W.
In 1926 the wreck was added to the chart as NDWPA (1917) (Non Dangerous Wreck Position Approximate (1917).
In 1985 the wreck was located by HMS Beagle in position 582755N, 025929W.
''LEAST E/S DEPTH 51 IN GEN DEPTH 56-57MTRS. NO SCOUR. DCS3 HT 4.4MTRS, LENGTH 43MTRS. LYING 110/290DEG, APPARENTLY BROKEN UP IN TWO MAIN PARTS, WITH FURTHER SMALL AMOUNT OF WRECKAGE, HEIGHT 1.8MTRS, 70MTRS S OF MAIN WK.''
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''
In 1917 the wreck position was given as 582830N, 025630W.
In 1926 the wreck was added to the chart as NDWPA (1917) (Non Dangerous Wreck Position Approximate (1917).
In 1985 the wreck was located by HMS Beagle in position 582755N, 025929W.
''LEAST E/S DEPTH 51 IN GEN DEPTH 56-57MTRS. NO SCOUR. DCS3 HT 4.4MTRS, LENGTH 43MTRS. LYING 110/290DEG, APPARENTLY BROKEN UP IN TWO MAIN PARTS, WITH FURTHER SMALL AMOUNT OF WRECKAGE, HEIGHT 1.8MTRS, 70MTRS S OF MAIN WK.''
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''
The wreck plotted on chart (1917) (PA) Position Approximate (UKHO)
UC 76
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 crew of HMT Pitstruan - †13/04/1917,
(Research ongoing.)
AMOS, Joseph H, (19) Ordinary Telegraphist, RNVR, London Z 2590. Son of Sarah Amos, of 46, Bonner St., Green St., Bethnal Green. London, Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
BRUCE, Matthew G, Leading Deck Hand, RNR, DA 12880. Memorial: South Shields (Harton) Cemetery
South Shields (Harton) Cemetery Photo: Karen ''
Gone but not forgotten '' Via Findagrave.
BURWOOD, William J, (33), Deck Hand, RNR, DA 235. Husband of Elizabeth Burwood, of 183, Victoria Rd., Torry, Aberdeen, Memorial: Aberdeen (Trinity) Cemetery
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 April 1917
BURWOOD.-- Killed at sea. the 13th inst, 'William J. Burwood, beloved husband of Elizabeth McLeod aged 33 years, youngest son of the late Isaac E. Burwood and Mrs Burwood. 38 Menzies Road.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 April 1917
BURWOOD.-- Killed at sea. the 13th inst, 'William J. Burwood, beloved husband of Elizabeth McLeod aged 33 years, youngest son of the late Isaac E. Burwood and Mrs Burwood. 38 Menzies Road.
DIGBY, Ronald R, Ty/Skipper, RNR. Memorial: Aberdeen (Allenvale) Cemetery.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 April 1917
DIGBY.— Killed sea. the 13th inst., Ronald Jl. Digby, skipper, R.N.R., dearly beloved, husband of Mary Gregory, aged 31 years.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 April 1917
DIGBY.— Killed sea. the 13th inst., Ronald Jl. Digby, skipper, R.N.R., dearly beloved, husband of Mary Gregory, aged 31 years.
DUTHIE, Charles J, (42) 2nd Hand, RNR, DA 2420. Son of Donald Duthie, of Rosehearty; husband of Jeannie Duthie, of 48, Union St., Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memoria.
FINDLAY, William, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 126. Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
GIBSON, Alfred,(36). Trimmer, RNR, TS 641. Husband of Elsie Gibson, of 64, Longacre, Aberdeen, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 April 1917
GlBSON.—Killed at sea, off H.M. trawler, the 13th inst-. Alfred Gibson, beloved husband of Elsie Gibson, 16 Chronicle Lane, aged 36 - deeply mourned.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 April 1917
GlBSON.—Killed at sea, off H.M. trawler, the 13th inst-. Alfred Gibson, beloved husband of Elsie Gibson, 16 Chronicle Lane, aged 36 - deeply mourned.
HAYCOCK, Albert E, Signalman, RNVR, Bristol Z 3823. Memorial: Much Wenlock Cemetery
Photo: Nancy Wright (findagrave.com)
WELCH, Martin, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 551
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 April 1917
WELCH.—Lost at sea, on the 13th April, Martin Welch, minesweeper, beloved husband of Mary Flett.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 20 April 1917
WELCH.—Lost at sea, on the 13th April, Martin Welch, minesweeper, beloved husband of Mary Flett.
WILCOCK, Francis, (37), Engineman, RNR, ES 247. Son of Frank Wilcock; of Preston; husband of Agnes Wilcock, of 26, Duke St., Preston, Lancs, Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
WILSON, Alexander,(22), Engineman, RNR, ES 3792. Son of Edward Wilson, of 7, Baker St., Lossiemouth, Morayshire, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
