U.S.S. Richard Bulkeley
USS Richard Bulkeley
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.
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.
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.
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.
US Mine-sweeping Flotilla at Kirkwall, Orkney.
On the evening of the 12th July 1919 while sweeping ''group 11'' field in Area ''A'' the U.S.S 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 U.S.S George Clark picked up 12 survivors. The U.S.S 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 U.S.S Richard Bulkeley's Ship’s Cook First Class Antino Perfido who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and hypothermia.
A total of 7 were lost.
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 U.S.S George Clark picked up 12 survivors. The U.S.S 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 U.S.S Richard Bulkeley's Ship’s Cook First Class Antino Perfido who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and hypothermia.
A total of 7 were lost.
Survivors from the USS Richard Bulkeley
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
“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
Belfast News-Letter - Wednesday 16 July 1919
AMERICAN MINESWEEPER
Sunk While Operating in North Sea.
Tuesday. It is announced that one officer and six men were killed, and two officers injured in the destruction of the American minesweeper, Richard Bulkley: owing to the explosion of a mine on Saturday last. The ship was removing the mine barrage in the North Sea and when she hauled in her sweeping cable a mine exploded under her stern. The vessel sank in six minutes. ‘The Commander remained on the bridge to the last moment directing his crew, and went down with his ship .—Reuter.
AMERICAN MINESWEEPER
Sunk While Operating in North Sea.
Tuesday. It is announced that one officer and six men were killed, and two officers injured in the destruction of the American minesweeper, Richard Bulkley: owing to the explosion of a mine on Saturday last. The ship was removing the mine barrage in the North Sea and when she hauled in her sweeping cable a mine exploded under her stern. The vessel sank in six minutes. ‘The Commander remained on the bridge to the last moment directing his crew, and went down with his ship .—Reuter.
Inverness Courier - Friday 31 October 1919
SWEEPING UP THE MINES STORIES OF THE AMERICANS IN THE NORTH SEA.
The smaller craft of the United States Navy, which remained in British waters to help to sweep up the minefield's, have left our ports for Brest, where they are preparing for the Atlantic crossing. By the completion of their task these month they claim to have accomplished in one seasons work which was expected to occupy two years, The Americans made their base at Kirkwall, and employed over 80 vessels, including 36 sweepers, 24 submarine chasers, 20 trawlers, 2 repair ships, 2 oil fuel ships, gasoline fuel ship, and water tanks, and their crews numbered in all over 4000 men. They swept up something like 21,000 mines. Out of the thirty odd sweepers, only four vessels escaped damage which necessitated repair. During one operation a mine became fouled by the bobolink. Lieutenant Bruce went aft and attempted to secure the kite. He ordered all the crew forward to a place of safety. No sooner had they got there, when the mine, which was only a few yards astern, exploded. Lieut. Bruce was killed, and two assistants were blown 100 ft. from the ship into the water. They were rescued. A similar accident befell the Patuxent, Lieutenant Horner being injured. Then there was the case of the Richard Bulkeley, which sighted a fouled mine when the steel hawser was being hauled in. Before the wire could be paid out again the mine exploded. The ship at once began to sink by the stern, and although sister ships steamed hard to her assistance she sank before she could be reached. Commander King, who was in command of all the trawlers, was lost together with six men. At the time of the accident he was on the bridge, and although he could not swim he threw his lifebelt to someone else, and went down with the ship. One of the new destroyers was named after the gallant commander. Soon after this the Pelican had a mine explode directly beneath her. Listing sharply she began to go down. Fortunately some of her watertight bulkheads held, and five other sweepers got to her. Captain Bulmer, detachment commander, was in the Auk at the time, and he ordered that vessel and the Ida alongside the Pelican, The Pelican was swung on wires and made fast between them, and a towing rope attached from the Test. A volunteer crew was asked for, and scores wanted the job of remaining on board the Pelican, which might sink at any moment. Yet in the most anxious moments this crew were gaily singing, “Hail, hail, the gangs all here.” But she did not sink and was safely towed first to Scapa and subsequently to the Tyne for repair.
SWEEPING UP THE MINES STORIES OF THE AMERICANS IN THE NORTH SEA.
The smaller craft of the United States Navy, which remained in British waters to help to sweep up the minefield's, have left our ports for Brest, where they are preparing for the Atlantic crossing. By the completion of their task these month they claim to have accomplished in one seasons work which was expected to occupy two years, The Americans made their base at Kirkwall, and employed over 80 vessels, including 36 sweepers, 24 submarine chasers, 20 trawlers, 2 repair ships, 2 oil fuel ships, gasoline fuel ship, and water tanks, and their crews numbered in all over 4000 men. They swept up something like 21,000 mines. Out of the thirty odd sweepers, only four vessels escaped damage which necessitated repair. During one operation a mine became fouled by the bobolink. Lieutenant Bruce went aft and attempted to secure the kite. He ordered all the crew forward to a place of safety. No sooner had they got there, when the mine, which was only a few yards astern, exploded. Lieut. Bruce was killed, and two assistants were blown 100 ft. from the ship into the water. They were rescued. A similar accident befell the Patuxent, Lieutenant Horner being injured. Then there was the case of the Richard Bulkeley, which sighted a fouled mine when the steel hawser was being hauled in. Before the wire could be paid out again the mine exploded. The ship at once began to sink by the stern, and although sister ships steamed hard to her assistance she sank before she could be reached. Commander King, who was in command of all the trawlers, was lost together with six men. At the time of the accident he was on the bridge, and although he could not swim he threw his lifebelt to someone else, and went down with the ship. One of the new destroyers was named after the gallant commander. Soon after this the Pelican had a mine explode directly beneath her. Listing sharply she began to go down. Fortunately some of her watertight bulkheads held, and five other sweepers got to her. Captain Bulmer, detachment commander, was in the Auk at the time, and he ordered that vessel and the Ida alongside the Pelican, The Pelican was swung on wires and made fast between them, and a towing rope attached from the Test. A volunteer crew was asked for, and scores wanted the job of remaining on board the Pelican, which might sink at any moment. Yet in the most anxious moments this crew were gaily singing, “Hail, hail, the gangs all here.” But she did not sink and was safely towed first to Scapa and subsequently to the Tyne for repair.
