HMY Zarefah
HMY Zarefah. (No 046) 08/05/1917
Displacement: 279 grt.
Length: 39.4 m. Beam: 6.7 m. Draught: 3.6 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3-cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw, 1 boiler
Machinery:
Complement: officers and men.
Armament: 2 x 3pdr.
Displacement: 279 grt.
Length: 39.4 m. Beam: 6.7 m. Draught: 3.6 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3-cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw, 1 boiler
Machinery:
Complement: officers and men.
Armament: 2 x 3pdr.
The yacht Zarefah, built as Maretanza V by George Brown & Co., Greenock in 1905 for Sir John Denison-Pender, . Zarefah was hired by the Royal Navy in 1914 and then purchased in 1916.
At 6.30 pm on the evening of the 8th May 1917 HMY Zarefah reported that several mines had been discovered, just showing, off Mull Head, near Kirkwall, Orkney.
At 7.12 one mine was destroyed by HMY Zarefah despite a warning for the yacht to stay clear.
At 7.15 pm HMY Zarefah then struck a mine and sank with the loss of 16 crew.
Motor launches approached the area and found that mines that were reported just showing on the surface had now dipped in the tide.
The next day a seaplane was used to help spot the mines for the motor launches.
Over the next few days the remaining 7 mines were destroyed or swept by minesweepers. (ADM 116-1517. Bi Monthly Mine-sweeping Reports, 1st to 15th June 1917. (120))
At 6.30 pm on the evening of the 8th May 1917 HMY Zarefah reported that several mines had been discovered, just showing, off Mull Head, near Kirkwall, Orkney.
At 7.12 one mine was destroyed by HMY Zarefah despite a warning for the yacht to stay clear.
At 7.15 pm HMY Zarefah then struck a mine and sank with the loss of 16 crew.
Motor launches approached the area and found that mines that were reported just showing on the surface had now dipped in the tide.
The next day a seaplane was used to help spot the mines for the motor launches.
Over the next few days the remaining 7 mines were destroyed or swept by minesweepers. (ADM 116-1517. Bi Monthly Mine-sweeping Reports, 1st to 15th June 1917. (120))
UC-31
HMY Zarefah struck a mine that had been laid one and a half hours earlier by UC-31 ( Kptlt.Otto von Schrader).
The KTB shows that at 7.22 pm (Berlin Time) 08/05/1917 UC-31 started laying the first of 3 mine lines, each consisting of 3 mines. Two lines were laid across the east end of The String and one line laid off Mull Head.
At 9 14 pm (Berlin Time) A detonation is heard but cannot estimate distance. Propeller noises are then heard passing over the U Boat.
The KTB then reports that since the boat has not been seen and no tracking of the boat has taken place, it is likely that the results of the mine laying will be successful.
UC-31 mine lines 8/5/1917. (UKHO)
The Wreck Today
UKHO wreck card 1297.
1917 wreck was recorded in position 585920N, 024130W.
1926 inserted on chart NDWPA (1917) (Non Dangerous Wreck Position Approximate (1917))
2002 The wreck of the HMY Zarefah was located by Andy Cuthbertson of the dive vessel MV Jean Elaine in position
58°59,23'N 02°41,523'W.
1917 wreck was recorded in position 585920N, 024130W.
1926 inserted on chart NDWPA (1917) (Non Dangerous Wreck Position Approximate (1917))
2002 The wreck of the HMY Zarefah was located by Andy Cuthbertson of the dive vessel MV Jean Elaine in position
58°59,23'N 02°41,523'W.
Gary Playfoot was one of the first divers on the wreck and kindly allowed us to use his story which can be downloaded here..
| zarefah_story.pdf |
The Crew - (Research ongoing)
RNR
CUTHBERT, Benjamin, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNR
GILBERT, Alfred S, Lieutenant, RNR
KANE, James F, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNR
MACIVER, Roderick, Seaman, RNR, A 5466
SMITH, Edward H, Signalman, RNVR
STEPHEN, Alexander P, Ty/Lieutenant, RNR
WALLACE, Herbert K, Leading Telegraphist, RNVR
MMR
CARTER, John A, Assistant Steward, MMR
GILBERT, William, Fireman, MMR
GREEN, Albert E, Assistant Steward, MMR
MAIN, Percy, Able Seaman, MMR, 746037
MIDDLEWICK, William T, 2nd Engineer, MMR
MUIR, Stanley, Fireman, MMR
ST LEDGER, John H, Able Seaman, MMR
TYLER, Peter, Able Seaman, MMR, 602114
WEITZEL, Herbert E, Cook, MMR
