H.M. Water Tanker ''Progress''
HM Progress . 20 or 21/12/1916
Displacement: 204 grt.
Length: 39.7 m. Beam: 6.4 m. Draught: 3.2 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 2cyl, 1 screw
Machinery: Muir & Houston Ltd., Glasgow
Complement: 12
Men Lost: 12
Armament:
Displacement: 204 grt.
Length: 39.7 m. Beam: 6.4 m. Draught: 3.2 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 2cyl, 1 screw
Machinery: Muir & Houston Ltd., Glasgow
Complement: 12
Men Lost: 12
Armament:
Iron fish transportation vessel built in 1880 by Murdoch & Murray, Brown Street, Port Glasgow as Yard No 48.
Owners
1880 The Great Northern Steam Ship Fishing Co. Ltd, Hull.
1881 John W. Smith. London
1881 Hewett and Co. London.
1901 Watts, Watts & Co. London.
1901 converted to a cargo boat.
1902 Gale Shipping Co, Ltd. Liverpool.
1903 Thomas Byrne. Liverpool.
1904 Progress Steamship Co, Ltd. Liverpool.
1909 H. Barnett. London.
1912 British Phosphate Co, Ltd. London.
In WW1 taken over by the Admiralty and used in Scapa Flow as a Water Carrier for the Fleet.
Owners
1880 The Great Northern Steam Ship Fishing Co. Ltd, Hull.
1881 John W. Smith. London
1881 Hewett and Co. London.
1901 Watts, Watts & Co. London.
1901 converted to a cargo boat.
1902 Gale Shipping Co, Ltd. Liverpool.
1903 Thomas Byrne. Liverpool.
1904 Progress Steamship Co, Ltd. Liverpool.
1909 H. Barnett. London.
1912 British Phosphate Co, Ltd. London.
In WW1 taken over by the Admiralty and used in Scapa Flow as a Water Carrier for the Fleet.
Vessel History
1880
Glasgow Evening Citizen - Saturday 27 March 1880
GREENOCK AND PORT-GLASGOW LAUNCHES. Messrs. Murdoch & Murray, Port- Glasgow, launched an iron screw-steamer named Progress, of 250 tons, for Great Northern Fish Carrying Company; also an iron screw-steamer named Miramar, of about 1000 tons, for Raeburn & Viril, of Glasgow, for general trade.
GREENOCK AND PORT-GLASGOW LAUNCHES. Messrs. Murdoch & Murray, Port- Glasgow, launched an iron screw-steamer named Progress, of 250 tons, for Great Northern Fish Carrying Company; also an iron screw-steamer named Miramar, of about 1000 tons, for Raeburn & Viril, of Glasgow, for general trade.
Greenock Advertiser - Monday 19 April 1880
Trial Trip.— The screw - steamer Progress, which proceeded down the river Saturday on her official trial trip attained speed of fourteen miles per hour, which was the speed guaranteed when the contract was signed. The Progress has been built specially for the trade of the Great Northern Fish-Carrying Co., whose fleet of run between the fishing fleet in the North Sea and Hull. On arriving at Hull the fish are discharged at Billingsgate repacked and sent off by passenger trains various parts England, London getting the largest share. bringing the fish from the fleet to port with all possible speed is of great importance, and the Great Northern Company, with a view to beat any of the steamers in the trade, contracted with Messrs Murdoch & Murray for three steamer. The first was delivered some time since, and giving satisfaction to the owners and fish merchants, the Progress will be the station at the end of this week, and the third steamer will launched on Wednesday first.
Trial Trip.— The screw - steamer Progress, which proceeded down the river Saturday on her official trial trip attained speed of fourteen miles per hour, which was the speed guaranteed when the contract was signed. The Progress has been built specially for the trade of the Great Northern Fish-Carrying Co., whose fleet of run between the fishing fleet in the North Sea and Hull. On arriving at Hull the fish are discharged at Billingsgate repacked and sent off by passenger trains various parts England, London getting the largest share. bringing the fish from the fleet to port with all possible speed is of great importance, and the Great Northern Company, with a view to beat any of the steamers in the trade, contracted with Messrs Murdoch & Murray for three steamer. The first was delivered some time since, and giving satisfaction to the owners and fish merchants, the Progress will be the station at the end of this week, and the third steamer will launched on Wednesday first.
Greenock Advertiser - Friday 31 December 1880
Messrs Murdoch & Murray launched 8 vessels, of an aggregate tonnage 3412 tons and 570 h.p., compared with 4 vessels and 1935 tons during 1879. Details Miramar (s.s.), 1190 tons and 110 h.p., for the China trade of Messrs Raeburn & Verel ; the Leda (yacht), 70 tons and 25 H.P.. for Mr David Law ; the Onward, the Progress, and the Vigilant, each 177 tons and 65 h.p., for the Great Northern Steamship Fishing Company ; the Thracian (s.s.), 864 tons and 110 h.p., for the Continental trade of Messrs J. & J. M'Farlane ; and the Romeo (s.s.) 85 h.p., and capable of carrying 480 tons dead weight, for the Manilla trade of the Marquis de Campo.
Messrs Murdoch & Murray launched 8 vessels, of an aggregate tonnage 3412 tons and 570 h.p., compared with 4 vessels and 1935 tons during 1879. Details Miramar (s.s.), 1190 tons and 110 h.p., for the China trade of Messrs Raeburn & Verel ; the Leda (yacht), 70 tons and 25 H.P.. for Mr David Law ; the Onward, the Progress, and the Vigilant, each 177 tons and 65 h.p., for the Great Northern Steamship Fishing Company ; the Thracian (s.s.), 864 tons and 110 h.p., for the Continental trade of Messrs J. & J. M'Farlane ; and the Romeo (s.s.) 85 h.p., and capable of carrying 480 tons dead weight, for the Manilla trade of the Marquis de Campo.
1881
The Scotsman - Thursday 10 February 1881
THE crews of the steam cutter Progress and the smack Sirius have arrived at Hull The two vessels were In collision and sank. The mate of the Progress and a lad on board the smack were drowned . The others were rescued by a Trinity House yacht.
THE crews of the steam cutter Progress and the smack Sirius have arrived at Hull The two vessels were In collision and sank. The mate of the Progress and a lad on board the smack were drowned . The others were rescued by a Trinity House yacht.
Hull Packet - Friday 18 February 1881
FATAL COLLISION IN THE HUMBER,.-The following is the statement of John Wood, master of the screw steam cutter Progress, of Hull, 94 tons register. The ship left Hull on the 8th February, at 1.15 p.m., the wind WNW. At 3 p.m., the tide being ebb and the V weather clear, wind moderate, the ship going at the rate of seven miles an hour, proceeding down the Humber, I when about half-a-mile to the west of Clee Ness Buoy, off Cleethorpes, the fishing-smack Sirius, which was a working up the river on the starboard tack, heading about WSW, came into collision with us, striking our port a quarter, and cutting us down to the water's edge. The Progress sank immediately, and the Sirius also sank in a 1 minute or two. We were steering SE at the time of the e collision, one man being on the look-out forward, and two men on the bridge. The mate of the Progress went I down with her, and a lad, who was going out to join the fishing fleet, jumped on board the Sirius, and was lost with her when she went down. The crew of the Progress was rescued by the Trinity House yacht, which was out on a survey: and the crew of the Sirius were saved in their own boat. The Progress had a crew of 12. The loss on the Progress is estimated at a £7,000. The ship was insured in a sum of £5,500. The cause of the casualty was, in my opinion, a bad look-out son the part of the smack. Joseph Kitchin, master of the fishing-smack Sirius, of Hull, 91 tons register, states that the smack was built in1877, was classed 100 A1, and had a crew of five men, and a cargo of nine tons of fish. On Tuesday, at 2 p.m., being in the Humber with all plain 3 sails set, the second hand at the helm saw the screw steam cutter Progress coming down the river, and steering straight for us. We continued our course, expecting the steamer to go under our stern. Our port bow collided with the steamer's port quarter, and cut her down to the water's edge, so that she sunk in about two minutes. Our vessel sank at the same time. The Progress had her mainsail set which, I think, obscured the view. I did not see anyone on the forecastle 'at the time. We were brought to Hull in the Trinity House yacht. The loss on the ship is estimated at £1,700, on the cargo at £150. The ship was insured for £1,200; there was no insurance on the cargo. In my opinion, the cause I of the casualty was want of proper look-out on board the steamer.
Shields Daily Gazette - Tuesday 22 February 1881
THE RECENT FATAL COLLISION ON THE HUMBER. During the past week the diving cutter Try-all, belonging to Messrs New on Brothers, has been down the Humber to the wrecks of the steam fishing cutter Progress and the iron smack Sirius, which were sunk in collision and two lives lost on the 8th inst. The underwriters of the smack ordered survey of the vessel by diver, who found that the bows of the smack were completely stove in. It has been determined to raise both vessels, and operations have been commenced with the smack, the Messrs Skelton, of Hull, having undertaken the work. The first attempt to raise the smack was made on Thursday, but from some cause it was not successful. The easterly winds which prevailed during the week have retarded operations by causing swell to run up the river. While operations were progressing the diver, at the request the master of the steamer, descended into the cabin of the Progress, and was successful recovering £40 in gold and gold watch and guard, which had been left there when the vessel foundered. Several bags of clothes which were being sent cut to the crews of smacks, were subsequently brought up. It is expected that with fine weather there will not much difficulty experienced in raising both vessels.
York Herald - Friday 17 June 1881
MARITIME NOTES AND CASUALTIES. GRIMSBY.—June 15: The Progress of Hull, sunk in the Humber by collision with the trawling smack Sirius, of Hull, has been raised, and towed to the east mud for temporary repairs.
The Loss
The water tanker 'Progress' left Aberdeen about 2.45 p.m. on the 20th December 1916 for Longhope Orkney with a crew of 12 onboard.
On the night of the 20th to 21st December there was a ''heavy gale'' blowing off the Aberdeen shire coast.
On the 21st December 1916 a mast was discovered off Slains Castle and small ships boats were washed ashore at Peterhead.
From the colour of the mast and the name on one of the boats at Peterhead it was concluded that these belonged to 'Progress' and that she had founded off Port Erroll during bad weather.
On the night of the 20th to 21st December there was a ''heavy gale'' blowing off the Aberdeen shire coast.
On the 21st December 1916 a mast was discovered off Slains Castle and small ships boats were washed ashore at Peterhead.
From the colour of the mast and the name on one of the boats at Peterhead it was concluded that these belonged to 'Progress' and that she had founded off Port Erroll during bad weather.
Port Erroll and Slains Castle Port Erroll to Peterhead . (UKHO)
There were two routes allowed for passing up the coast from Aberdeen, the inner and outer route. The enquiry into the loss found that 'Progress' had been ordered to Longhope via the outer route which would have left the vessel more exposed to bad weather but thought this was chosen by the Commanding Officer as the vessel may have to anchor if sent by the inner route only had a hand capstan and also he had sailed to Aberdeen via the outer route.
Another reason for the outer route was part of her sailing orders ''You are on no account to pass to the westward of 1.55'W between the latitude of 57.15'N and 57.18'N''. This was due to the presence of indicator nets in that area. It was just north of this area that the mast, thought to be off 'Progress', was seen.
The sailing orders do not state the date the vessel should sail nor that any discretion had been given to the Commanding Officer as regards to weather on sailing or taking refuge en route.
The prevailing weather was favourable when HM Progress left Aberdeen, but the barometer was falling and wind was increasing and changing direction. The enquiry were of the opinion that it would have been desirable to have postponed the sailing until it was clear what the weather was going to do.
The weather forecast for Aberdeen issued at 7 a.m. (received at Rosyth at noon) was favourable but the 1 p.m. forecast (received at Rosyth at 5 p.m.) was very unfavourable, but would not have been received in time to prevent 'Progress' from sailing.
(Information from HD 1917/144)
Crew Lost 21/12/1916
Progress, water tanker, RFA, lost in North Sea, cause unknown. all drowned
BOWES, Ernest W, Officer's Steward, MMR, 906258
COX, William, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNR.
Birmingham Daily Post - Saturday 30 December 1916
NAVAL CASUALTIES
DROWNED
COX, Sub Lieutenant W., R.N.R.
North Down Herald and County Down Independent - Friday 05 January 1917
DEATH OF LEIUT. COX. R.N. Lieutenant Wm. Cox, R.N.R., whose death whilst on active service is announced, was a native of Belfast. For a short time, he was in the service of the Corporation Gas Office under the late Mr. Alexander Turnbull. He later chose the sea as his profession, and served his apprenticeship on the Belfast' built sailing ship Walter H. Wilson. For a time, he served as an officer on the Port Denison, trading between London and Australia. Afterwards he went East. joining the Straits Steamship Company, where he rapidly rose to command several of their mail steamers. He was in home waters when the war broke out, and.at once volunteered for the senior service. He has done noble duty and had many narrow escapes. Lieut. Cox ' was at home for a few days two weeks ago. The intimation of his death will come as a great shock to a wide circle of friends to whom he had endeared himself by his manly, cheery, and attractive personality. Deep sympathy will be extended to his widow and two young children, who reside in Bangor, and to his other relatives.
Galway Express - Saturday 06 January 1917
The Late Capt. As we announced in last week's issue, a dear friend passed away, but he died as he would have wished is die, nobly doing his duty to King and Country. Captain Wm. Cox so affectionately known as Captain "Barney" whilst in the Straits Settlement, and in the service of many leading steamship companies trading from Singapore to London and Liverpool for fourteen years, was for several years first officer of the "Granuaile," a steamer which, under the control of Coastguard districts Board rendered valuable service in the delivery of seed potatoes, timber, oil, salt, etc., to the impoverished inhabitants in the West of Ireland. Mr Cox was beloved by the sailor men who served under him, and it may be added that before his death be had several narrow escapes. On two occasions his patrol vessels was mined, and only last June his ship was blown to pieces and Captain Cox was nine hours in the water before being rescued. He died a hero's death.
The following paragraph appeared in the Irish Times of Friday's issue "Lieutenant William Cox, Royal Naval Reserve, husband of Mrs Maud Cox, 41 Southwell road, Bangor, County Down, was drowned whilst on active services week ago. He was a Belfast man, and after serving in the Gas Department of the Belfast Corporation, joined the Merchant Sea Service, ultimately leading to the command of several steamers of the Straits Steamship Company, Singapore. Joining the Naval Reserve on the outbreak of the war, he saw a lot of service in the North Sea operations. He was on leave a fortnight ago, so that his death must have taken place within a week of his return to duty.''
Lieutenant Cox has his bos'an , Galway man, Colman Nee, who was also lost, and the two comrade, between whom a very sincere friendship existed, went down together. Mr Nee succeeded in following his beloved Commander from ship to ship, and the last time we the pleasure of seeing the both together was at the North Wall, when the Granuaile was about to be sold to a Scotch firm. In reference to the above the Editor of the Galway Express has received the following :— The secretary of the Admiralty begs to inform Mr H. D. Fisher, in reply to letter of the 30th instant, that the vessel in which Lieutenant William Co, R.N.R„ was serving was lost at sea, but no particulars of how the loss occurred are known. "Admiralty, 2nd January, 1917."
Birmingham Daily Post - Saturday 30 December 1916
NAVAL CASUALTIES
DROWNED
COX, Sub Lieutenant W., R.N.R.
North Down Herald and County Down Independent - Friday 05 January 1917
DEATH OF LEIUT. COX. R.N. Lieutenant Wm. Cox, R.N.R., whose death whilst on active service is announced, was a native of Belfast. For a short time, he was in the service of the Corporation Gas Office under the late Mr. Alexander Turnbull. He later chose the sea as his profession, and served his apprenticeship on the Belfast' built sailing ship Walter H. Wilson. For a time, he served as an officer on the Port Denison, trading between London and Australia. Afterwards he went East. joining the Straits Steamship Company, where he rapidly rose to command several of their mail steamers. He was in home waters when the war broke out, and.at once volunteered for the senior service. He has done noble duty and had many narrow escapes. Lieut. Cox ' was at home for a few days two weeks ago. The intimation of his death will come as a great shock to a wide circle of friends to whom he had endeared himself by his manly, cheery, and attractive personality. Deep sympathy will be extended to his widow and two young children, who reside in Bangor, and to his other relatives.
Galway Express - Saturday 06 January 1917
The Late Capt. As we announced in last week's issue, a dear friend passed away, but he died as he would have wished is die, nobly doing his duty to King and Country. Captain Wm. Cox so affectionately known as Captain "Barney" whilst in the Straits Settlement, and in the service of many leading steamship companies trading from Singapore to London and Liverpool for fourteen years, was for several years first officer of the "Granuaile," a steamer which, under the control of Coastguard districts Board rendered valuable service in the delivery of seed potatoes, timber, oil, salt, etc., to the impoverished inhabitants in the West of Ireland. Mr Cox was beloved by the sailor men who served under him, and it may be added that before his death be had several narrow escapes. On two occasions his patrol vessels was mined, and only last June his ship was blown to pieces and Captain Cox was nine hours in the water before being rescued. He died a hero's death.
The following paragraph appeared in the Irish Times of Friday's issue "Lieutenant William Cox, Royal Naval Reserve, husband of Mrs Maud Cox, 41 Southwell road, Bangor, County Down, was drowned whilst on active services week ago. He was a Belfast man, and after serving in the Gas Department of the Belfast Corporation, joined the Merchant Sea Service, ultimately leading to the command of several steamers of the Straits Steamship Company, Singapore. Joining the Naval Reserve on the outbreak of the war, he saw a lot of service in the North Sea operations. He was on leave a fortnight ago, so that his death must have taken place within a week of his return to duty.''
Lieutenant Cox has his bos'an , Galway man, Colman Nee, who was also lost, and the two comrade, between whom a very sincere friendship existed, went down together. Mr Nee succeeded in following his beloved Commander from ship to ship, and the last time we the pleasure of seeing the both together was at the North Wall, when the Granuaile was about to be sold to a Scotch firm. In reference to the above the Editor of the Galway Express has received the following :— The secretary of the Admiralty begs to inform Mr H. D. Fisher, in reply to letter of the 30th instant, that the vessel in which Lieutenant William Co, R.N.R„ was serving was lost at sea, but no particulars of how the loss occurred are known. "Admiralty, 2nd January, 1917."
FARQUHAR, George, Fireman, MMR, (no service number listed)
Aberdeen Evening Express - Saturday 30 December 1916
Roll of Honour
FARQUHAR—Lost off HMS. ''Progress," 20th inst., George, youngest end beloved son of John and Mary Jane Farquhar, 17 Clement Street, aged 23 years.
Aberdeen Evening Express - Saturday 30 December 1916
Roll of Honour
FARQUHAR—Lost off HMS. ''Progress," 20th inst., George, youngest end beloved son of John and Mary Jane Farquhar, 17 Clement Street, aged 23 years.
FULLER, John J, Ty/Engineer Sub Lieutenant, RNR
Birmingham Daily Post - Saturday 30 December 1916
NAVAL CASUALTIES
DROWNED
FULLER, Engineer Sub Lieutenant J. J.. R.N.R,
NAVAL CASUALTIES
DROWNED
FULLER, Engineer Sub Lieutenant J. J.. R.N.R,
MCNEE, Thomas, Junior Engineer, MMR, (no service number listed)
MITCHELL, George W, Able Seaman, MMR, (no service number listed)
Aberdeen Evening Express - Friday 29 December 1916
Seaman C. W. Mitchel, Aberdeen. Information has been received in Aberdeen that Seaman George W Mitchell. only son Mrs Mitchell, 19 Chapel Street, Aberdeen, was drowned off one of H.M. ships 0n 20th December. Seaman Mitchell, who was 29 years of age, was previously employed on a transport, it was only recently that he joined the Navy. He is survived by a widow.
Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser - Tuesday 02 January 1917
Mitchell.—Drowned off H.M.S. Progress, on 20th December, George W. Mitchell, only and beloved son of Mrs Mitchell, 19 Chapel Street, Aberdeen, late of Peterhead, and husband Mary Christie, Port Glasgow, 29 years. Deeply mourned.
Aberdeen Evening Express - Friday 29 December 1916
Seaman C. W. Mitchel, Aberdeen. Information has been received in Aberdeen that Seaman George W Mitchell. only son Mrs Mitchell, 19 Chapel Street, Aberdeen, was drowned off one of H.M. ships 0n 20th December. Seaman Mitchell, who was 29 years of age, was previously employed on a transport, it was only recently that he joined the Navy. He is survived by a widow.
Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser - Tuesday 02 January 1917
Mitchell.—Drowned off H.M.S. Progress, on 20th December, George W. Mitchell, only and beloved son of Mrs Mitchell, 19 Chapel Street, Aberdeen, late of Peterhead, and husband Mary Christie, Port Glasgow, 29 years. Deeply mourned.
Cruden Graveyard, Hatton, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Photo: GariochGraver
NEE, Colman, Boatswain, MMR, (no service number listed)
Cruden Graveyard, Hatton, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Photo: GariochGraver
SHEARER, Frank S, Fireman, MMR, (no service number listed
Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Wednesday 24 January 1917
SHEARER—Lost on one of H.M. ships on or about the 20th December, Frank Simpson Shearer, aged 28 years, youngest son of the late John Shearer, of Messrs J. A. Shearer & Son, and of Mrs Shearer, Rosebank, Stromness —Deeply mourned.
Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Wednesday 24 January 1917
SHEARER—Lost on one of H.M. ships on or about the 20th December, Frank Simpson Shearer, aged 28 years, youngest son of the late John Shearer, of Messrs J. A. Shearer & Son, and of Mrs Shearer, Rosebank, Stromness —Deeply mourned.
Stromness War Memorial. Photo: K Heath
SIMPSON, John, Able Seaman, MMR, (no service number listed) of Greamsay, Orkney.
SPREADBOROUGH, Charles, Officer's Steward, MMR, (no service number listed)
WILLOUGHBY, Percy, Able Seaman, MMR, (no service number listed)
Aberdeen Evening Express - Tuesday 02 January 1917
WILLOUGHBY —Lost. with all hands, off H.M.S. " Progress," on 20th December, Percy Willoughby (''Sam'') Deeply regretted by his friends at 10 Justice Street.
Aberdeen Evening Express - Tuesday 02 January 1917
WILLOUGHBY —Lost. with all hands, off H.M.S. " Progress," on 20th December, Percy Willoughby (''Sam'') Deeply regretted by his friends at 10 Justice Street.
Cruden Graveyard, Hatton, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Photo: GariochGraver
YOUNG, David, Cook, MMR, (no service number listed)
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 02 January 1917
Young - Lost off H.M.S. "Progress," on the 20th' uIt'' David James (''Jim"), youngest son of the late William Young, fish curer. Buckie, and of Mrs Young, 87 George Street—deeply mourned R.I.P
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 02 January 1917
Young - Lost off H.M.S. "Progress," on the 20th' uIt'' David James (''Jim"), youngest son of the late William Young, fish curer. Buckie, and of Mrs Young, 87 George Street—deeply mourned R.I.P
6 Unidentified Dead off HM Water Carrier Progress
Cruden Graveyard,Hatton, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Photos: GariochGraver
