LOSTINWATERSDEEP.CO.UK
  • Home
  • About Us
  • ROYAL NAVY SHIPS
    • HM BATTLESHIPS >
      • HMS VANGUARD
    • HM CRUISERS >
      • HMS HAMPSHIRE
    • HM MINESWEEPERS >
      • HMS JASON
    • HM DESTROYERS >
      • HMS ALBACORE
      • HMS PHEASANT
      • HMS CHEERFUL
      • HMS MARMION
      • HMS ITCHEN
      • HMS HOSTE
      • HMS NEGRO
      • HMS NESSUS
      • HMS GOLDFINCH
      • HMS ERNE
      • HMS SUCCESS
    • HM TRAWLERS (North) >
      • HMT KIRKLAND
      • HMT LAUREL CROWN
      • HMT LOCH GARRY
      • HMT ASIA
      • HMT ORSINO
      • HMT SARAH ALICE
      • HMT NEATH CASTLE
      • HMT TERN
      • HMT STRATHGARRY
      • HMT ENDEAVOUR
      • HMT LORENZO
      • HMT RESPONSO
      • HMT RONDO
      • HMT VULTURE II
    • HM TRAWLERS (West) >
      • HMT THOMAS STRATTON
      • HMT ROBERT SMITH
      • HMT CALLIOPE II
      • HMT CRATHIE
      • HMT RHODESIA
      • HMT ROLULO
      • HMT JOHN G. WATSON
      • HMT EDISON
    • HM TRAWLER (East) >
      • HMT PITSTRUAN
      • HMT KNOT
      • HMT YESSO
      • HMT GELSINA
      • HMT OTHONNA
      • HMT PLETHOS
      • HMT TEAL
    • HM DRIFTERS >
      • HMD SOUTH ESK
      • HMD LUSTRING
      • HMD CHANCE
      • HMD SUSIE ROSS
      • HMD LEONARD
    • HM AUXILIARY VESSELS >
      • HMS OTWAY
      • HMS DUKE OF ALBANY
      • HMS FIONA
      • HMS GRIVE
      • HMS ROEDEAN
      • HMHS MAINE
    • HM YACHTS >
      • HMY CONQUEROR II
      • HMY ZAREFAH
    • HM TUGS >
      • HM TUG OCEANA
    • HM SLOOPS >
      • HMS RHODODENDRON
      • HMS CARNATION
      • HMS BLACKMOREVALE
    • HM SUBMARINES >
      • HMS C34
      • HMS E-49
    • ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY >
      • RFA BEACON LIGHT
      • RFA OAKLEAF
    • HM STEAM PINNACE >
      • Steam Pinnace 288
      • Steam Pinnace 499
      • Steam Pinnace 588
      • Steam Pinnace Unknown
    • HM LIGHTER >
      • HMS X-138
      • HMS X-172
    • HM WATER CARRIER >
      • WATER TANKER PROGRESS
    • HM MOTOR LAUNCH >
      • HM M.L. 62
      • HM M.L. 191
      • HM M.L. 18
    • HM PUFFER >
      • S.P. DRONE
  • MERCHANT SHIPS
    • S.S. RUBY
    • S.S. EXPRESS
    • S.S. ARGUS
    • S.S. REMUS
    • S.S. SWIFTSURE
    • TRAWLER AMADAVAT
    • S.V. URANIA
    • S.S, ANGLO DANE
  • OTHER TRAGEDIES
    • RNAS AVIATION >
      • SSP 2
      • SSP 4
      • Short 74 Seaplane ''77''
    • ORKNEY >
      • Orkney Tragedies
      • Lieut. Gerald F.W. Addison
      • Diver P.O. Alfred Edwin Church
      • A.B. William Sydney Wooldridge
      • A.B. Charles James Moody
      • Houton ''whaler'' tragedy
      • The Murder of Kuno Eversberg
      • Orkney Rescues
    • SHETLAND >
      • Shetland Tragedies
      • Lieut. James Winstanley-Pochin R.N.
      • Lerwick Explosion
    • U BOATS >
      • WW1 U BOAT TYPES
      • SM U 18
      • SM U 36
      • SM U 77
      • SM U 92
      • SM U 102
      • SM UC 55
    • INTERNATIONAL >
      • U.S.S RICHARD BULKELEY
      • U.S.S. Curlew
      • USS WILLIAM ROCKEFELLER
  • MAP
  • MEDALS & AWARDS
  • Acknowledgements
  • Abbreviations
  • LINKS
  • Contact

USS Richard Bulkeley

Picture
USS Richard Bulkeley
Picture

 ​USS Richard Bulkeley. 12/07/1919
​
Mersey Class Trawler. 

Displacement: 324  grt.

Length: 42.1  m.    Beam: 7 m.   Draught: 4 m.

Propulsion: 1 x 3-cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw, 1 boiler .

Complement:  19 + officers and men.

​Crew Lost: 7

Armament: ​​​1 x 12 pdr gun,

​

​Richard Bulkeley was a wooden Mersey Class trawler built by  Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd of Selby. Originally built for the Royal Navy as HMT Richard Bulkeley but in 1919 was loaned to the US navy to act as a minesweeper to assist in sweeping the mines in the joint US/British minefield known as The Northern Barrage or the North Sea Barrage. 

​The Northern Barrage was a large number of individual minefields that stretched from Orkney in the west across the North Sea to Norway.

The minefield was an attempt to keep the German U boats in the North Sea and deny access to the Atlantic Ocean and west coast of Britain via the northern route. The project began in the summer of 1918 and when finished 70,263 mines had been laid, 56,611 by the Americans, and 13,652 by the British.
Picture
USS Richard Bulkeley was lost in Group 11, which ran from about 59°15'N, 0°20'W to 59°45'N, 1°30'E. This field was laid on October 4, 1918.
The fields were divided into three areas which were ''Area A'' ''Area B'' and '' Area C''. Area ''B'' was a series of fields closest to Orkney,  

In 1919 a massive effort to sweep the mine barrage was conducted.

In early July 43 minesweepers and supporting vessels left Kirkwall to conduct the forth of the seven proposed sweeping operations. One of these vessels was USS Richard Bulkeley commanded by Commander Frank Ragan King USN. 




Picture
US Mine-sweeping Flotilla at Kirkwall, Orkney.
On the evening of the 12th July 1919 while  sweeping ''group 11'' field in Area ''A'' the USS Richard Bulkeley fouled an American Mk VI antenna mine in the kite sweep which detonated under her stern which caused massive damage. The explosion killed several crew members in the engine room.

Commander King ordered abandon ship and then commenced to search the vessel for any injured crew. Having given his life jacket to a crew-member, Commander King then joined with signaller, Seaman 2nd Class John V Mallon, in the wheelhouse where Mallon was sending out a MAYDAY messages.

Both remained at their post onboard and went down with the vessel  

​The USS George Clark picked up 12 survivors. The USS William Johnson also assisted search for survivors and when an unconscious man was seen floating Commander Ellis Lando USN jumped into the cold water to retrieve him.
​The unconscious man turned out to be the the USS Richard Bulkeley's  Ship’s Cook First Class Antino Perfido who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and hypothermia.      

​A total of 7 were lost.   
​
Picture
Survivors from the USS Richard Bulkeley
​
Picture
Both Commander King & Seaman 2nd Class John V Mallon were awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The Citation on Commander King's reads......

​“For exceptional meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as commander of a division of trawlers, engaged in the difficult and hazardous operation of sweeping for and removing mines in the North Sea Barrage; and especially for his heroic actions on the destruction by mine explosion of his flagship, the RICHARD BULKELEY, of which he was the commanding officer. Although stunned by the explosion, he made every effort to save the lives of and to rescue men trapped by steam in the fire-room. The rapid sinking of the vessel prevented his success in the undertaking. Finding the ship about to sink, he proceeded to the bridge, where he took his station, and went down with the ship.”




​The Destroyer USS King (DD242) launched in 1920 was named in honour of Commander King.

 
More information can be found HERE 
​


Picture
CREW INFORMATION
Picture
HOMER PERDUE

Born: 22nd April 1880
Place of Birth: Fayette County, Ohio
Died: 12th July 1919
Rate: Seaman 2nd Class, US Navy Reserve Forces - Enlisted 6th August 1918 at Recruiting Station Cincinnati, Ohio
Service # 152-72-11

Grave: Mentioned on the Tablets of the Missing at Suresnes American Cemetery - body not recovered.
Father: Thomas Perdue
Mother: Jane (Smith)


Details - One of 9 children, Homer was recorded on the 1880 census aged 2 months, 1900 census aged 20, living with family at Washington Avenue, Fayette, working as a boot maker and the 1910 census aged 30, working as a lineman for a telephone company.  Naval training station - Great Lakes III, receiving ship - Philadelphia until November 1918, USS Carola until November 11th 1918.

​
Sources:
U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
1880, 1900 & 1910 United States Federal Census
Ohio, Soldier Grave Registrations, 1804-1958 
​Ohio Soldiers in WWI, 1917-1918
U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

Researched by Wendy Sadler


PictureFloyd Harman
 FLOYD HARMAN
 Born: 10th Dec 1891
 Place of Birth: Roann, Indiana, United States
 Died: 12th July 1919
 Rate: Engineman 1st Class, US Navy Reserve Forces - Enlisted 15th February 1918 at Recruiting Station Indianapolis, Indiana.
 Service # Not known

 Grave: Mentioned on the Tablets of the Missing at Suresnes American Cemetery - body not recovered.
 Father: Jacob
 Mother: Emma
 Details - 8 Siblings - brothers Fred, Russell, Ray and George Jr. and sisters Isa, Maud and Mamie.  Worked as an automobile mechanic 
 Sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Chicago, Ill. Transferred to Hampton Roads, Va.; assigned to duty on the Kentucky. Transferred to the mine   sweeper Richard Buckley. Lost his life when vessel was sunk, July 12, 1919, Kirkwall, Scotland.

1900 US Federal Census - Floyd was aged 8, living in Perry, Indiana
1910 US Federal Census - Floyd was aged 18, working as a labourer on a farm.



Sources:
1900 & 1910 US Federal Census
U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Registration State: Indiana; Registration County: Miami; Roll: 1653567
WWI, WWII, and Korean War Casualty Listings
Indiana Gold Star Honor Roll, 1914-1918
Photo source - findagrave

Researched by Wendy Sadler


GEORGE PAUL REZAB
Born: 23rd November 1886
Place of Birth: Minnesota
Died: 12th July 1917
Rate: Fireman 2nd Class, US Navy Reserve Forces - Enlisted June 1917, aged 30.
​Service # Not known

Grave: Mentioned on the Tablets of the Missing at Suresnes American Cemetery - body not recovered.
Father: Jacob
Mother: Katherine

Details - Worked as a farmer prior to enlisting, it was noted on his draft form that his father was dependent upon him.  Both his parents were born in Austria and had emigrated to the USA.  George was one of 6 children.

1900 - US Federal Census - aged 13, living in Viola, Olmsted, Minnesota
1905 Minnesota, Territorial and State Census - aged 18, working as a farm labourer,
1910 US Federal Census - aged 22, living in Viola, Olmsted, Minnesota

Picture
Sources:
1900 & 1910 US Census
Minnesota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 
Global, Find A Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current 
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 
U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941 
WWI, WWII, and Korean War Casualty Listings 
Signature from Draft Registration Card
Researched by Wendy Sadler

​ANTINO PERFIDIO
​
 Born: 15th March 1889
​Place of Birth: Italy
Died: 12th July 1919
Rate: Ship’s Cook 1st Class, US Navy Reserve Forces - Enlisted 27th July 1917, aged 26 at the Naval Recruiting Station, Seattle, Washington, as a Ship’s Cook, 4th Class
Service # 152-85-57
Grave: 625 Jamaica Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11208
Father:  Not known
Mother:   Not known

​
1905 - New York State Census - living at Canton, St Lawrence, New York, USA as a boarder, aged 16
1910 US Federal Census - living in New Haven County, Connecticut, aged 21, as a boarder.

Details - Worked as a labourer prior to enlisting, it was noted on his draft form that his father was dependent upon him and at the time of enlisting was on parole.  He had emigrated to the United States in 1897.
Aboard receiving ship until 18th Jan 1918; transferred to USS Northern Pacific until 7th May 1918 (as Cook, 3rd Class); transferred to USS Maartensdijk until 11th November 1918 (as Cook, 2nd Class).  Transferred to USS Richard Bulkeley where he became a casualty when the ship hit a mine.  At first unconscious, in the water, he was rescued by Commander Ellis Lando.  Sadly Antino did not survive his injuries and hypothermia. His body was returned to America where he was buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
                                                                                        Antino Perfidio's headstone.  images courtesy Tina Lampropoulos Weil & Smadar Levy
​
Picture
                                                            
Sources:
New York, Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917-1919
1905 & 1910 Federal and State Census
U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Registration State: Washington; Registration County: Snohomish; Roll: 1992015; Draft Board: 1
U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
U.S. National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962
​Cemetery image Tina Lampropoulos Weil & Smadar Levy.

Researched by Wendy Sadler.

GEORGE M SOWERS

Born: 28th October 1890
Place of Birth: Glasgow, Kentucky
Died: 12th July 1919
Rate: Fireman 1st Class, US Navy Reserve Forces - Enlisted 5th June 1917 in the city of Franklin, Iowa
Service # Not Known

Grave: Suresnes, Departement des Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France - Body not recovered
Father: John
Mother: Mary    
Details - Prior to enlisting George worked on a farm employed by a Mr A Hamilton.  He originally claimed exemption from joining any forces, due to the type of work he was employed in.  He was noted as tall, of a slender build, with brown eyes and light brown hair.

​Unfortunately no records can be found of George’s service in the Navy.

1900 US Federal Census - Temple Hill, Barren, Kentucky, aged 9, living with parents and siblings
1910 US Federal Census - Slick Rock, Barren, Kentucky, aged 19, living with parents and siblings, working as a labourer
Picture
​Sources:
1900 & 1910 US Federal Census
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Registration State: Iowa; Registration County: Franklin; Roll: 1643087
Registration State: Iowa; Registration County: Franklin; Roll: 1643087
Global, Find A Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current
U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941

Researched by Wendy Sadler

JOHN VINCENT MALLON
Born: January 1900
Place of Birth: 
Died: 12th July 1919
Rate: Seaman 2nd Class, US Navy - Enlisted 15th June 1917 at the Recruiting Station in Brooklyn, New York, as an Apprentice Seaman, aged 17.
Service # 141-48-17
Grave: Suresnes, Departement des Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France - body not recovered
Father: 
Mother: 
Details - John was just a teenager when enlisting with the United States Navy, his home address given as 712 Jefferson Avenue, New York.
He stayed at the Naval Training Station for a month, awaiting a posting and sent to Newport T-R-I on 18th July 1917 to 23rd Aug 1917. Next receiving ship was USS KANSAS from 24th Aug 1917 to 21st Dec 1917, then to NORFOLK, Virginia until 24th March 1918 for Armed Draft Detail.  Returned to Navy Yard until 25th May 1918.  Posted to SS LAKE OTISCO until 7th October 1918 - Transferred to Naval Base in Cardiff, Wales until 11th November 1918.

Sources:
New York, Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917-1919
U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
Tablets of the Missing at Suresnes American Cemetery

Researched by Wendy Sadler


​FRANK RAGAN KING

Born: 15th October 1884
​Place of Birth: Montevallo, Shelby County, Alabama, United States of America
Died: 12th July 1919
Rate: Commander
Grave: Suresnes, Departement des Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France - body not recovered
Father: Frank R King, former Attorney General of Louisiana 
Mother: Francis “Fannie” Snodgrass

Details - Frank’s father died 3 months before he was born and his mother passed when Frank was just 12 years old.  He was sent to live with distant relatives Mr & Mrs R E Saunders, where they secured an appointment for Frank to the U.S Naval Academy at Annapolis.
King was appointed midshipman at the Naval Academy 6th May 1903 and graduated 11th February 1907. After serving as a midshipman, he was commissioned Ensign 12th February 1909. He served in Arkansas, Hartford, Milwaukee, Pennsylvania, and Illinois before attaining the rank of Commander on the 21st September 1918. 

Commander King assumed command of the trawler Richard Buckley on 7th July 1919 during minesweeping operations in the North Sea. On 12th July 1919 his ship struck a mine and went down in only seven minutes. During the crisis King exerted himself to see that all of his crew might be saved. King's feeling for his men was evidenced by the fact that his final act before going down with his ship was to strap his own life preserver to a stunned sailor and help him over the side. Comdr. King received the Distinguished Service Medal for his valor. Photo of Midshipman Frank Ragan King, Class of 1907, courtesy of the USNA Alumni Association (pic 1 below).
Picturepic 1 - Frank King Midshipman
R1910 - United States Federal Census - An Officer, aged 25, within the USS Princeton

​27th March 1917 - Frank married Allene Adams

August 1919 - Following Frank’s death, Allene filed to administer Frank’s estate as he did not leave a will.  Frank would never get to meet his daughter who was born on 24th January 1920.  She was given his full name - Frank Ragan King.
​

14th October 1920 - For King’s gallant actions, a new destroyer was launched bearing his name - his widow was at the launching (pic2)
 
​



​Sources:

1910 - US Federal Census
Alabama, Wills and Probate Records, 1753-1999 Morgan County, Alabama Probate Court Estate Files, Ca. 1820-1915; Author: Alabama. Probate Court (Morgan County); Probate Place: Morgan, Alabama
U.S., Navy and Marine Corps Registries, 1814-1992 Navy Department Library - Naval History and Heritage Command; Washington, D.C.; U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Registry; Year: 1903
U.S., Select Military Registers, 1862-1985
District of Columbia, Compiled Marriage Index, 1830-1921
Global, Find A Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current
U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
Ancestry.com

Researched by Wendy Sadler


Picture
pic 2 - Allene King at the launch of USS KING 1920
Sponsors (click on logo)
(c)  Copyright 2022. Lost In Waters Deep
 
 All rights reserved. Due to the immense amount of research that enabled us to build this site we would like to point out that all material on this website is owned by Lost In Waters Deep though photos are credited to their respect
ive owners. Anyone wishing to use material for their own website or any other purpose are requested to contact us first expressing their wishes. Permission will usually be granted to none profit making ventures, i.e. websites for educational and/or historical purposes, though a link to this website and acknowledgement to the original owners of any photographs will usually be requested.
Thank You, Kevin & Wendy 
​
  • Home
  • About Us
  • ROYAL NAVY SHIPS
    • HM BATTLESHIPS >
      • HMS VANGUARD
    • HM CRUISERS >
      • HMS HAMPSHIRE
    • HM MINESWEEPERS >
      • HMS JASON
    • HM DESTROYERS >
      • HMS ALBACORE
      • HMS PHEASANT
      • HMS CHEERFUL
      • HMS MARMION
      • HMS ITCHEN
      • HMS HOSTE
      • HMS NEGRO
      • HMS NESSUS
      • HMS GOLDFINCH
      • HMS ERNE
      • HMS SUCCESS
    • HM TRAWLERS (North) >
      • HMT KIRKLAND
      • HMT LAUREL CROWN
      • HMT LOCH GARRY
      • HMT ASIA
      • HMT ORSINO
      • HMT SARAH ALICE
      • HMT NEATH CASTLE
      • HMT TERN
      • HMT STRATHGARRY
      • HMT ENDEAVOUR
      • HMT LORENZO
      • HMT RESPONSO
      • HMT RONDO
      • HMT VULTURE II
    • HM TRAWLERS (West) >
      • HMT THOMAS STRATTON
      • HMT ROBERT SMITH
      • HMT CALLIOPE II
      • HMT CRATHIE
      • HMT RHODESIA
      • HMT ROLULO
      • HMT JOHN G. WATSON
      • HMT EDISON
    • HM TRAWLER (East) >
      • HMT PITSTRUAN
      • HMT KNOT
      • HMT YESSO
      • HMT GELSINA
      • HMT OTHONNA
      • HMT PLETHOS
      • HMT TEAL
    • HM DRIFTERS >
      • HMD SOUTH ESK
      • HMD LUSTRING
      • HMD CHANCE
      • HMD SUSIE ROSS
      • HMD LEONARD
    • HM AUXILIARY VESSELS >
      • HMS OTWAY
      • HMS DUKE OF ALBANY
      • HMS FIONA
      • HMS GRIVE
      • HMS ROEDEAN
      • HMHS MAINE
    • HM YACHTS >
      • HMY CONQUEROR II
      • HMY ZAREFAH
    • HM TUGS >
      • HM TUG OCEANA
    • HM SLOOPS >
      • HMS RHODODENDRON
      • HMS CARNATION
      • HMS BLACKMOREVALE
    • HM SUBMARINES >
      • HMS C34
      • HMS E-49
    • ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY >
      • RFA BEACON LIGHT
      • RFA OAKLEAF
    • HM STEAM PINNACE >
      • Steam Pinnace 288
      • Steam Pinnace 499
      • Steam Pinnace 588
      • Steam Pinnace Unknown
    • HM LIGHTER >
      • HMS X-138
      • HMS X-172
    • HM WATER CARRIER >
      • WATER TANKER PROGRESS
    • HM MOTOR LAUNCH >
      • HM M.L. 62
      • HM M.L. 191
      • HM M.L. 18
    • HM PUFFER >
      • S.P. DRONE
  • MERCHANT SHIPS
    • S.S. RUBY
    • S.S. EXPRESS
    • S.S. ARGUS
    • S.S. REMUS
    • S.S. SWIFTSURE
    • TRAWLER AMADAVAT
    • S.V. URANIA
    • S.S, ANGLO DANE
  • OTHER TRAGEDIES
    • RNAS AVIATION >
      • SSP 2
      • SSP 4
      • Short 74 Seaplane ''77''
    • ORKNEY >
      • Orkney Tragedies
      • Lieut. Gerald F.W. Addison
      • Diver P.O. Alfred Edwin Church
      • A.B. William Sydney Wooldridge
      • A.B. Charles James Moody
      • Houton ''whaler'' tragedy
      • The Murder of Kuno Eversberg
      • Orkney Rescues
    • SHETLAND >
      • Shetland Tragedies
      • Lieut. James Winstanley-Pochin R.N.
      • Lerwick Explosion
    • U BOATS >
      • WW1 U BOAT TYPES
      • SM U 18
      • SM U 36
      • SM U 77
      • SM U 92
      • SM U 102
      • SM UC 55
    • INTERNATIONAL >
      • U.S.S RICHARD BULKELEY
      • U.S.S. Curlew
      • USS WILLIAM ROCKEFELLER
  • MAP
  • MEDALS & AWARDS
  • Acknowledgements
  • Abbreviations
  • LINKS
  • Contact