HMT Plethos
HMT Plethos. (No 468) 23/04/1918
Displacement: 210 grt.
Length: 35 m. Beam: 7 m. Draught: 4 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: officers and men.
Crew Lost: 4
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr & 1 x 6 pdr deck gun
Displacement: 210 grt.
Length: 35 m. Beam: 7 m. Draught: 4 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: officers and men.
Crew Lost: 4
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr & 1 x 6 pdr deck gun
Steel Steam Trawler built by Hall A. & Sons Ltd. - Alexander Hall, Aberdeen in 1913 for East Coast Steam Fishing Co., Aberdeen and registered A545.
The Loss
On the morning of the 20th April 1918 U80 started laying a line of mines, from 56 36N 01 19W north to 56 42N 01 20W.
Two images below, taken from U80s KTB.
Two images below, taken from U80s KTB.
HMT Plethos was lost on 23rd April 1918 after striking a mine that had been laid by U80 three days previously.
The telegram giving position for the loss of HMT Plethos and chart showing position plotted and U80 mine line in red and KTB map overlay
The Wreck
HMT Plethos has no wreck card with the UKHO and to date the wreck of this trawler has not been identified. There is a wreck charted to the southern end of the U 80 mine line and this has the wreck card 70420. This is an unknown wreck but has dimensions nearly matching those of HMT Plethos.
Crew Lost †23/04/1918 (research is ongoing)
HOGG, John James (26), Telegraphist (no. Clyde Z/5564),Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, , Son of William and Martha Alice Hogg, of 7, James St., Grahamston, Falkirk, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
POWDRILL, Joseph Samuel (18), Stoker 2nd Class (no. K/46120), Royal Navy, Son of R. J. and E. A. Powdrill, of Wallace St., Gotham, Notts, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Gotham War Memorial. Photo: P Dines
SMITH, Alfred Alexander, Trimmer (no. 621TS),Royal Naval Reserve, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Aberdeen Evening Express - Saturday 27 April 1918
KILLED
Trimmer Alfred Alexander Smith, husband of Mrs. Smith, 5 Berry Street, who worked on board an Admiralty trawler, is reported killed. He was a son of Mr. James Smith, 114 Skene Street.
Aberdeen Evening Express - Monday 29 April 1918
Roll of Honour
SMITH - Lost at sea on 23rd April, Alfred Alexander Smith aged 40, trimmer, R.N.R., beloved husband of Margret Leiper, 5 Berry Street, Aberdeen, and son of James Smith, shoemaker, 114 Skene Street. Deeply mourned
Aberdeen Evening Express - Saturday 27 April 1918
KILLED
Trimmer Alfred Alexander Smith, husband of Mrs. Smith, 5 Berry Street, who worked on board an Admiralty trawler, is reported killed. He was a son of Mr. James Smith, 114 Skene Street.
Aberdeen Evening Express - Monday 29 April 1918
Roll of Honour
SMITH - Lost at sea on 23rd April, Alfred Alexander Smith aged 40, trimmer, R.N.R., beloved husband of Margret Leiper, 5 Berry Street, Aberdeen, and son of James Smith, shoemaker, 114 Skene Street. Deeply mourned
STACEY, Ernest Henry William (20), Deckhand (no. 15566DA),Royal Naval Reserve, Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Stacey, of II, Trinity Rd., Weymouth, Dorset, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Weymouth War Memorial Photo: Grahame Knott
