HMT Thomas Stratton
Hull Daily Mail - Tuesday 12 May 1914
HMT Thomas Stratton. (Admiralty No.: 3000) 20/10/1917
Displacement: 309 grt.
Length: 41.7 m. Beam: 7.2 m. Draught: 3.7 m.
Propulsion: Steam, triple expansion engine, single boiler, single screw..
Complement: Officers and men.
Crew Lost: 8
Armament: 1 x 12pdr
Displacement: 309 grt.
Length: 41.7 m. Beam: 7.2 m. Draught: 3.7 m.
Propulsion: Steam, triple expansion engine, single boiler, single screw..
Complement: Officers and men.
Crew Lost: 8
Armament: 1 x 12pdr
The trawler built by Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd., Selby in 1914 for Pickering & Haldane's Steam Trawling Co., Hull and registered H116.
The HMT Thomas Stratton was part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron and was tasked to patrol NW of the Butt of Lewis with two other trawlers, the HMT Lord Lansdowne & HMT Arley. On the night of the 19th October 1917 all three vessels sought shelter of the Butt of Lewis due to very rough weather. HMT Thomas Stratton lay with engines stopped with the Butt of Lewis lighthouse bearing S.E 1/2 S to S E x S distance 5 or 6 miles.
At 12 30 pm there was a large explosion forward on the port side. Most of the crew were in the mess deck and were killed in the explosion.
Lt A Bishop RNR was getting his meal in the chart room and instantly ran out onto the deck as far forward as the winch. He found the foremast had gone, the forward small boat damaged and the bulwark and rail was broken between the winch and the remains of the foremast.
Lt Bishop then sounded the ships steam whistle to summon help and then assisted launching the aft small boat. The survivors left HMT Thomas Stratton and when about 30 yards distant the trawler sank.
The survivors were taken onboard the Lord Lansdowne and after a search for any other survivors the remaining two trawlers headed for Stornoway on Lewis.
Sunk possibly by a mine from the German submarine U-71 NW of the Butt of Lewis (Walter Gude), or possibly by a magazine explosion.
Information kindly supplied by Ian Crawford (https://www.scottishshipwrecks.com/)
The HMT Thomas Stratton was part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron and was tasked to patrol NW of the Butt of Lewis with two other trawlers, the HMT Lord Lansdowne & HMT Arley. On the night of the 19th October 1917 all three vessels sought shelter of the Butt of Lewis due to very rough weather. HMT Thomas Stratton lay with engines stopped with the Butt of Lewis lighthouse bearing S.E 1/2 S to S E x S distance 5 or 6 miles.
At 12 30 pm there was a large explosion forward on the port side. Most of the crew were in the mess deck and were killed in the explosion.
Lt A Bishop RNR was getting his meal in the chart room and instantly ran out onto the deck as far forward as the winch. He found the foremast had gone, the forward small boat damaged and the bulwark and rail was broken between the winch and the remains of the foremast.
Lt Bishop then sounded the ships steam whistle to summon help and then assisted launching the aft small boat. The survivors left HMT Thomas Stratton and when about 30 yards distant the trawler sank.
The survivors were taken onboard the Lord Lansdowne and after a search for any other survivors the remaining two trawlers headed for Stornoway on Lewis.
Sunk possibly by a mine from the German submarine U-71 NW of the Butt of Lewis (Walter Gude), or possibly by a magazine explosion.
Information kindly supplied by Ian Crawford (https://www.scottishshipwrecks.com/)
Bi monthly minesweeping report
Bi monthly minesweeping reports 16th-31st October 1917 (129)
The Wreck.
HMT Thomas Stratten has Wreck Card No 767.
In 1919 the wreck was added to the chart as ''OBSOLETE WK SYMBOL (1917)(PA)''.
A survey in 1983 failed to locate the wreck. ''The site was not located during side scan sonar search of an area 4.2 miles (E/W) x 2.5 miles (N/S), centred on the reported position of the wreck. There is a slight possibility that the wreck remained undetected amongst numerous small rock pinnacles in the southern and eastern parts of the area searched, but it was thought unlikely as quality of sonar recording was excellent.''
In 1919 the wreck was added to the chart as ''OBSOLETE WK SYMBOL (1917)(PA)''.
A survey in 1983 failed to locate the wreck. ''The site was not located during side scan sonar search of an area 4.2 miles (E/W) x 2.5 miles (N/S), centred on the reported position of the wreck. There is a slight possibility that the wreck remained undetected amongst numerous small rock pinnacles in the southern and eastern parts of the area searched, but it was thought unlikely as quality of sonar recording was excellent.''
The Crew. †20/10/1917 (Crew research is ongoing)
BOWSER, Walter (18), Trimmer (no. 6310TS)
The Scotsman - Thursday 01 November 1917
NAVAL RATINGS
H.M. SHIPS
Bowser, W. Trimmer, R.N.R.
The Scotsman - Thursday 01 November 1917
NAVAL RATINGS
H.M. SHIPS
Bowser, W. Trimmer, R.N.R.
BROWN, Charles John (24), Deckhand (no. 5540DA)
COLLINSON, James (21), Deckhand (no. 3895SD)
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette - Friday 26 October 1917
COLLINSON, killed at sea Oct 20th through enemy action James Patterson Collinson aged 21 years.
In the bloom of life death claimed him,
In the pride of his manhood days,
His heart was good, his spirit brave,
His task is over, his life he gave.
Ever remembered by his loving brother and sister-in-law, tom and Lillie and family.
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette - Friday 26 October 1917
COLLINSON, killed at sea Oct 20th through enemy action James Patterson Collinson aged 21 years.
In the bloom of life death claimed him,
In the pride of his manhood days,
His heart was good, his spirit brave,
His task is over, his life he gave.
Ever remembered by his loving brother and sister-in-law, tom and Lillie and family.
PARRISH, Charles (20), Ordinary Telegraphist (no. Tyneside Z/10209)
Bradford Weekly Telegraph - Friday 26 October 1917
PARRISH, Ordinary Telegraphist Charlie. Carrhouse Road, Shelf, of one of H.M. trawlers, has been drowned at sea. He was engaged on patrol work when his ship struck a mine in the North Sea. He was 20 years of age, educated at the Hipperholme Grammar School, and prior to enlisting he was engaged at the Bradford District Bank. He was prominent worker at Shelf Church, where he was a member of the choir.
Bradford Weekly Telegraph - Friday 26 October 1917
PARRISH, Ordinary Telegraphist Charlie. Carrhouse Road, Shelf, of one of H.M. trawlers, has been drowned at sea. He was engaged on patrol work when his ship struck a mine in the North Sea. He was 20 years of age, educated at the Hipperholme Grammar School, and prior to enlisting he was engaged at the Bradford District Bank. He was prominent worker at Shelf Church, where he was a member of the choir.
PIRIE, James , Deckhand (no. 3948DA)
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 26 October 1917
PlRlE.—Killed at sea, mine explosion, on 10th October James Pirie, dearly beloved son and Mrs Pirie, Wales Street, Aberdeen, aged 19 year—deeply loved and deeply mourned.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 26 October 1917
LOST AT SEA
Seaman James Pirie, who drowned at sea the result of a mine explosion 10th October, was a native of 'Macduff and the son of Mrs Pirie, 68 Wales Street, Aberdeen. Before enlisting was in employment of Charles Gill, butcher, Macduff.
Banffshire Reporter - Wednesday 31 October 1917
OFFICIAL intimation has come to hand of the death of A.B. James Pirie, late of Tarlair Street, Macduff. He was the son of James Pirie, fisherman. The lad lost at sea through the explosion of a mine. Before leaving Macduff, A.B. Pirie was in the employment of Messrs G. and C. Gill, fleshers.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 26 October 1917
PlRlE.—Killed at sea, mine explosion, on 10th October James Pirie, dearly beloved son and Mrs Pirie, Wales Street, Aberdeen, aged 19 year—deeply loved and deeply mourned.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Friday 26 October 1917
LOST AT SEA
Seaman James Pirie, who drowned at sea the result of a mine explosion 10th October, was a native of 'Macduff and the son of Mrs Pirie, 68 Wales Street, Aberdeen. Before enlisting was in employment of Charles Gill, butcher, Macduff.
Banffshire Reporter - Wednesday 31 October 1917
OFFICIAL intimation has come to hand of the death of A.B. James Pirie, late of Tarlair Street, Macduff. He was the son of James Pirie, fisherman. The lad lost at sea through the explosion of a mine. Before leaving Macduff, A.B. Pirie was in the employment of Messrs G. and C. Gill, fleshers.
PLAYFORD, John (26), Deckhand (no. 10703DA)
POLLARD, Thomas Edward , Deckhand (no. 12923DA)
SCAMBLER, William, Trimmer Cook (no. 712/TC) Born 1887 in Lennoxtown, Campsie, Stirlingshire. Son of James and Elizabeth Harriot (Dryden) Scambler of Elmscleugh, Innerwick.
In 1911 William was a rabbit catcher living with his parents and family at Branxton, Innerwick. He enlisted in March 1916 and served on a number of hired trawlers before he joined the Thomas Stratton on 1 October 1917 (info Gordon Simpson)
Husband of Alice (Patterson) Scambler of Branxton, Innerwick and of High Street, Dunbar who he married in 1915 in Edinburgh.
Berwick Advertiser - Friday 02 November 1917
Information has been received that the body of Seaman William Scambler, who was on board a mine sweeper in the North, was recovered Monday. Deceased who was formerly a rabbit catcher at Branxton, Oldhamstocks, is survived by a widow and one child. He was greatly respected this district and much sympathy is felt for his widow.
Berwickshire News and General Advertiser - Tuesday 13 November 1917
KILLED Mrs Scambler has official information that her husband. Wm. Scambler, is killed at sea, and was buried with full naval honours. He was formerly a gamekeeper, and was the eldest son of Mr. James Scrambler, Oldhamstocks.
In 1911 William was a rabbit catcher living with his parents and family at Branxton, Innerwick. He enlisted in March 1916 and served on a number of hired trawlers before he joined the Thomas Stratton on 1 October 1917 (info Gordon Simpson)
Husband of Alice (Patterson) Scambler of Branxton, Innerwick and of High Street, Dunbar who he married in 1915 in Edinburgh.
Berwick Advertiser - Friday 02 November 1917
Information has been received that the body of Seaman William Scambler, who was on board a mine sweeper in the North, was recovered Monday. Deceased who was formerly a rabbit catcher at Branxton, Oldhamstocks, is survived by a widow and one child. He was greatly respected this district and much sympathy is felt for his widow.
Berwickshire News and General Advertiser - Tuesday 13 November 1917
KILLED Mrs Scambler has official information that her husband. Wm. Scambler, is killed at sea, and was buried with full naval honours. He was formerly a gamekeeper, and was the eldest son of Mr. James Scrambler, Oldhamstocks.
ADM 242: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War
Grave in Stornoway, Lewis Photo: Guido Blokland, Findagrave.com
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Memorial on Family Headstone,
Oldhamstocks Photo: Gordon Simpson
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William is remembered on the Innerwick War Memorial. Photo: Gordon Simpson
