RFA Beacon Light
SS Beacon Light.
RFA Beacon Light. 19/02/1918
Displacement: 2,768 grt.
Length: 95 m. Beam: 12 m. Draught: 8 m
.
Propulsion: 1 x 2 cyl; Compound expansion steam engine, three boilers, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: ?? officers and men.
Men Lost: 33
Armament: Yes.
Displacement: 2,768 grt.
Length: 95 m. Beam: 12 m. Draught: 8 m
.
Propulsion: 1 x 2 cyl; Compound expansion steam engine, three boilers, single shaft, 1 screw
Complement: ?? officers and men.
Men Lost: 33
Armament: Yes.
SS Beacon Light, steel tanker built by Armstrong & Mitchell Co. Ltd., Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1890 for the Beacon Light Steamship Co Ltd (R Stewart & Co), Liverpool. In 1898 the ship was sold to the Bear Creek Oil & Shipping Co., Ltd (CT Bowring & Co Ltd), Liverpool.
1914 requisitioned for Admiralty service as a tanker with Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service.
On the 19th February 1918 the armed RFA Beacon Light was on route from Liverpool to Scapa Flow with a cargo of fuel oil. The ship was torpedoed 15 miles SE of Butt of Lewis by U-91, (Kapitänleutnant Alfred von Glasenapp). 33 crew were lost including 3 servicemen.
1914 requisitioned for Admiralty service as a tanker with Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service.
On the 19th February 1918 the armed RFA Beacon Light was on route from Liverpool to Scapa Flow with a cargo of fuel oil. The ship was torpedoed 15 miles SE of Butt of Lewis by U-91, (Kapitänleutnant Alfred von Glasenapp). 33 crew were lost including 3 servicemen.
SM U-91 KTB.
19/02/1918.
The KTB of U-81 shows that at 5.00 am (Berlin time) a large tanker is seen steaming from Stornoway in the direction of Cape Wrath. U 81 is going to attack on the surface.
6.10 am (Berlin time) One G 7 torpedo is fired accidentally. U 91 then prepares for another attack.
6.28 am(Berlin time) One G 7 torpedo fired from 660 meters, ship is hit and U boat submerges.
7.10 am (Berlin time) U 91 surfaces. Tanker is leaning over 40 deg and down by the bow. Destroyers are seen 300 meters away. Submerges and loads a torpedo for a finishing shot.
10.15 am surfaced. The tanker and escorts are gone so it is assumed tanker has sunk.
The KTB of U-81 shows that at 5.00 am (Berlin time) a large tanker is seen steaming from Stornoway in the direction of Cape Wrath. U 81 is going to attack on the surface.
6.10 am (Berlin time) One G 7 torpedo is fired accidentally. U 91 then prepares for another attack.
6.28 am(Berlin time) One G 7 torpedo fired from 660 meters, ship is hit and U boat submerges.
7.10 am (Berlin time) U 91 surfaces. Tanker is leaning over 40 deg and down by the bow. Destroyers are seen 300 meters away. Submerges and loads a torpedo for a finishing shot.
10.15 am surfaced. The tanker and escorts are gone so it is assumed tanker has sunk.
Torpedo Log Sheet U-91 Chart U-91
The Wreck.
Above: North Coast of Scotland - Cape Wrath to the Flannan Isles including the northern parts of The North Minch and Lewis 1924 (UKHO)
The SS Beacon Light has Wreck Card 802. The card was created in 1919. The wreck was added the the chart as ''old wreck symbol (1918) PA'' in position 582400N, 054900W.
In 1929 this was amended to NDW (non-Dangerous Wreck)
In 1954 the wreck was reported located by SONAR, good echo.
1970 Not found during survey by HMS Fawn, but some contacts that were not examined located in 582320N 054724W.
In 1984 a wreck was located 90m long by 15m wide and 8m high was located in 58°27,375'N 05°45,056'W. The wreck sits in 112m of water and appears upright and orientated 049/229 deg.
Crew Lost. (Research into crew ongoing)
LAPPER, Jack, Able Seaman, RNVR, Bristol Z 9827
LONG, Samuel J, Leading Seaman, RNVR, Wales Z 2838
WAGGOTT, John T, Able Seaman, RNVR, Tyneside Z 9438
Crew Serving in Mercantile Marine, SS Beacon Light †19/02/1918. Remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.
BARNARD, THOMAS HENRY (20), Fourth Engineer Officer, Son of Thomas Henry Barnard, and Nellie Emma Barnard (nee Vince), of 63, Maynard Rd., Walthamstow, Essex. Born at Walthamstow,
BEASHEL, PATRICK (26), Able Seaman, Mercantile Marine Medal 1914-1918, 1891 ~ 1918, Son of Thomas and Catherine Beashel (nee Knight), of Main St., Rush, Co. Dublin.
BEASHEL, WILLIAM (32), Fireman, Son of Richard and Margaret Beashel (nee Ohram), of Main St., Rush, Co. Dublin.
BRADSHAW, LAWRENCE (28), Second Cook, Son of the late Lawrence and Elizabeth Bradshaw; husband of Gwendoline Olive Bradshaw (nee Pain), of 101, Liverpool Rd., St. Helens, Lancs. Born at Birkenhead.
CLARKE, EDWARD (53), Able Seaman, Son of the late Thomas and Ann Clarke. Born at Port St. Mary, Isle of Man.
DAVIES, WILLIAM LEWIS (25), Second Engineer, Son of James and Maud Davies (nee Evans), of Blaenwaun Farm, Mount, Cardigan. Born at St. Marys, Cardigan.
DOCTER, ALLAN PROCTOR (49), Chief Mate, Son of the late Alexander Docter; husband of Isabella Beattie Docter (nee Gordon), of 31, Mellor Rd., Prenton, Birkenhead. Born at Arbroath.
FLOWER, ROBERT HENRY (33), Chief Engineer, Son of Robert Henry and the late Bessie Flower; husband of Elsie Maggie Flower (nee Mowatt). of 48, East India Dock Rd., Poplar, London. Born at Portsmouth.
GANNON, JAMES (44), Boatswain, Son of the late Thomas and Martha Gannon; husband of Margaret Gannon (nee Downey), of 47, South Chester St., Liverpool. Born in Co. Wexford.
HARRISON, HERBERT (28), Seaman, Son of William Harrison, of Bridge House, Ramsgill, Yorks, and the late Mary Harrison.
HARTE, JOHN (41), Fireman, Son of James Harte, of 99, Beaufort St., Liverpool, and the late Catherine Harte.
HOWLETT, FRANCIS JAMES (23), Second Mate, Son of John James and Catherine Annie Howlett, of 4, Firdale Rd., Walton, Liverpool. Born at Liverpool.
JACOBSON, LEONARD (28), Ship's Cook, Son of the late Bernard and Mary Jacobson; husband of Ruby May Hopegood (formerly Jacobson, nee Shepherd), of 59, Eversley St., Liverpool. Born at Liverpool.
JOHNSTON, JOHN (51), Fireman & Trimmer, Son of the late John and Mary Anne Johnston; husband of Mary Jane Johnston (nee O'Rielly), of 51, Gt. Richmond St., Liverpool. Born at Belfast.
KIERNAN, JOHN JOSEPH (16), Seaman, Son of Bridget Kiernan (nee McDonagh), of 51, Elizabeth St., Liverpool, and the late Brian Kiernan. Born at Ryehill, Galway.
KINSEY, ROBERT WILLIAM YELLOLY (36), Engineers' Steward, Son of the late William and Mary Jane Kinsey. Born at Liverpool.
KNIGHT, ERNEST THOMAS (32), 2nd Steward, Son of the late Richard and Ann Knight; husband of Gladys Ethel Knight (nee Snaith), of 32, Mark St., Cardiff. Born at Exeter.
MACMILLAN, STUART GORDON (23), Chief Steward, Born at Fort William, Inverness.
MULHOLLAND, LOUIS (28), Able Seaman, Son of Marian Mulholland, of 17, Hereford Rd., Seaforth, Liverpool, and the late Patrick Mulholland. Born at Waterloo. Liverpool.
MULLEN, MICHAEL (45), Fireman & Trimmer, Son of Mary and the late Charles Mullen; husband of Annie Mullen (nee Doyle), of 11, Seldon St., Liverpool. Born at Liverpool.
NUTTER, JOHN (29), Fireman, Son of Martha Nutter, of 18, Sharp St., Askam-in-Furness, Lancs. Born at Burnley.
OWEN , J Master.
OWEN, WILLIAM JAMES (40), Carpenter, Son of the late James and Jane Owen; husband of Grace Alice Owen (nee Roberts), of Bodfewing, Upper Llandurog, Carnarvonshire. Born at Nevin.
RIEBELT, JAMES (26), Donkeyman, Born in Australia.
ROBERTSON, JAMES FARQUHARSON (22), Third Mate, Son of the late Charles and Jane Robertson (nee Walker). Born at Dundee.
ROSS, THOMAS (49), Seaman, Born in Newfoundland.
RYAN, BERNARD (45), Fireman, Son of John Ryan, of Foughilstra, Flurrybridge, Newry, Co. Armagh, and the late Catherine Ryan.
SEDDON, BERNARD (25), Third Engineer, Son of Joseph and Cecilia Seddon, of Shirley Rd., Acocks Green, Birmingham. Born at Sheffield.
SHIELDS, JOHN (40), Fireman, Son of the late John and Mary Shields. Born at Skelmersdale.
WATKIN, THOMAS (36), Fireman, Son of James and Lizzie Watkin; husband of Margaret Watkin (nee Simon), of 20, Greenside, Brunswick Rd., Everton, Lancs. Born at Liverpool.
