Category Archives: Vessel Loss

Beverley Minster, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

Plaque in Beverley Minster commemorating Lieutenant Mark Norman Rennie RNR d. 1917 in the loss of Q-ship HMS ‘Vala’

Location

Beverley Minster, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

Transcript

'Sacred to the Memory of / Lieutenant Mark Norman Rennie R.N.R. / WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN THE / BAY OF BISCAY / ON 21ST AUGUST 1917, / WHILST ON SPECIAL SERVICE / IN COMMAND OF H.M.S.'VALA' / AGED 29 YEARS / THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY HIS / LOVING WIFE AND CHILD. / DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI'

Details

Description: Plaque engraved with with RNR cap badge.
Type: Plaque
Position: South transept,west wall
Materials: Brass
Artists: J Newleve
Vessel: HMS Vala

Event Category

1914-1918 First World War

People

Rennie, Mark Norman
Age: 29
Date of Death: 21/8/1917
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Lieutenant RNR
Organisation: Royal Naval Reserve

Extra

Notes: HMS 'Vala', Hired as Decoy vessel (Q8) 8/1915. Sunk 21/8/17 by 'UB54' in the Atlantic.
Recorder: Alex Chatwin 1981; B. Tomlinson
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Church of St Michael the Archangel, Shalfleet, Isle of Wight, England

Memorial in Church of St Michael the Archangel, Shalfleet, Isle of Wight, commemorating Lieutenant Thomas Cole RN d. 1829

Location

Church of St Michael the Archangel, Shalfleet, Isle of Wight, England

Transcript

'In the Burial Ground of this Church are deposited the remains of THOMAS COLE, Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, son of Thomas Comyns Cole Esq, late of Chelsea and Mary Catherine his Wife. At the early age of 30 years and when returning from the West Indies invalided he perished at Sea in H.M.S. Nightingale on Saturday 17th February 1829. This deserving officer had served under those distinguished Commanders Sir James A Gordon, Sir W Hoste, Commodore Bowles and Rear-Admiral Lake, was appointed Signal Midshipman by Lord Exmouth at the memorable attack upon Algiers, in the year 1816, and acted as Flag Lieutenant to Sir Charles Rowley in the West Indies. He was brave, unassuming, religious, an affectionate brother and a dutiful son. This tablet was erected by his only sister 1829'

Details

Vessel: HMS Nightingale

Event

Bombardment of Algiers 1816

People

Cole, Thomas
Age: 30
Date of Death: 17/2/1829
Cause of Death: Vessel loss
Rank / Occupation: Lieutenant RN
Organisation: Royal Navy

Extra

Notes: 'Nightingale' wrecked 17 February 1829 on the Singles.
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Old Cemetery, Ipswich, Suffolk, England

Memorial at Old Cemetery, Ipswich, Suffolk commemorating George Butcher, d. 1890 in the loss of SS ‘Thanemore’

Location

Old Cemetery, Ipswich, Suffolk, England

Transcript

'George Frederick BUTCHER, eldest son of George Frederick and Louisa Susan Butcher, who lost his life by the foundering in the Atlantic of the SS THANEMORE of Liverpool, November 27th 1890, aged 50 years'

Details

Vessel: SS Thanemore

People

Butcher, George Frederick
Age: 50
Date of Death: 27/11/1890
Cause of Death: Vessel loss
Rank / Occupation: Unknown
Organisation: Johnston Line

Extra

Notes: The SS 'Thanemore' burned and sank in heavy weather in the Atlantic, with the loss of 43 lives.
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Arundel Cathedral, Arundel, West Sussex, England

Brass in Arundel Cathedral commemorating Cuthbert Bernard Taylor d.1912 in the loss of ‘Titanic’

Location

Arundel Cathedral, Arundel, West Sussex, England

Transcript

'Of your charity pray for the Repose of the Soul of Cuthbert Bernard Taylor who perished in the wreck of the Titanic April 15 1912 aged 22 years. De Profundis Clamavi'

Details

Description: Engraved with a foul anchor.
Type: Brass
Position: North wall of nave
Vessel: RMS Titanic

People

Taylor, Cuthbert Bernard
Age: 22
Date of Death: 15/4/1912
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Steward
Organisation: White Star Line

Extra

Recorder: B. Tomlinson 1990
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Cathedral of St Thomas of Canterbury, Portsmouth, England

Plaque in Portsmouth dedicated to those lost with HMS ‘Isis’ in 1944

Location

Cathedral of St Thomas of Canterbury, Portsmouth, England

Transcript

'TO THE GLORY OF GOD / THE ARCHES ABOVE THIS PLACE / ARE GIVEN IN MEMORY OF/ THE OFFICERS AND MEN / OF HMS ISIS / LOST OFF THE COAST OF NORMANDY ON / JULY 20, 1944 DURING / COMBINED OPERATIONS FOR / THE LIBERATION OF EUROPE.'

Details

Description: Metal inscription plaque with a marble support, at the top is a carved, oval wreath of laurel leaves surrounding a bas relief in bronze of a WW2 destroyer. The inscrition is on the outer side of two doors which open to reveal a full list of casualties.


Type: Plaque
Materials: Brass
Vessel: HMS Isis

Extra

Notes: Destroyer HMS 'Isis', sank 20/7/1944 probably mined, with 154 of her crew.
Bibliography: David Saunders 'Maritime Memorials & Mementoes' (Yeovil, 1996), 97.
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Church, Ramsey, Isle of Man

Memorial at Ramsey, Isle of Man commemorating James Murray, 2nd officer of the ‘James Crossfield’ wrecked 1867

Location

Church, Ramsey, Isle of Man

Transcript

'MURRAY, Jane relict of John MURRAY died 18 Nov 1888 aged 82 years. Also MURRAY, James, son of above 2nd Officer of the ship JAMES CROSSFIELD lost off Langness point I of Man 6 Jan 1867 aged 23 years. Also MURRAY Jane Ellerton Daughter of the above Died 30th Aug 1898 age 60 years. Also MURRAY John of Gate house of Fleet Galloway died 1 Jan 1853 age 42 years'

Details

Vessel: James Crossfield

People

Murray, James
Age: 23
Date of Death: 6/1/1867
Cause of Death: Vessel loss
Rank / Occupation: 2nd Officer
Organisation: Pollard & Co

Extra

Notes: 'James Crossfield' iron clipper, ran aground at Dreswick on passage from Liverpool to Calcutta with the loss of 30 crew, 2 passengers and the master's son.
Recorder: C.D Flintham
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Grimsby Central Hall, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England

Window in Grimsby Central Hall commemorating the officers and crew of the steam trawler ‘Sheldon’ lost 1953

Location

Grimsby Central Hall, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England

Transcript

'ST PETER Patron saint of Fishermen', 'In memory of the Officers and Crew who were serving in the / S.T. Sheldon when she was lost in a heavy gale on Saturday 31st / January 1953 on her way from Grimsby to the Faroe Fishing Grounds / Their names are recorded below / T.R. Beesley, Skipper / R.T.Beesley, Mate / H.V. Wass, Ch. Eng. / B. Cullen, 2nd Eng. / H.Hess, Dk Hand / S.B. Blastland, Dk Hand / C.A. Robinson, Dk Hand / J.W. Swinson, Dk Hand / G.H. Young, Dk. Hand / T. Bell Trimmer / K. Barrett, Trimmer / S. Carlton, Trimmer / J. Hopward, Trimmer / S. King, Cook'

Details

Description: The window depicts St Peter clad in a short tunic and holding a net, seagulls behind. Below, a profile portrait of the trawler within a border of shells and fish. The names of the men are on panes bordered by fishing net. A lighthouse is placed at the bottom of the window.
Type: Window
Position: Fisherman's and Seaman's Memorial Chapel
Materials: Glass
Date Erected: 1954
Artists: G.E.R. Smith, A.K. Nicholson
Vessel: Sheldon

People

Barrett, K.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Trimmer
Organisation:
Beesley, T. R.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Trawler Skipper
Organisation:
Beesley, R.T.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Mate
Organisation:
Bell, T.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Trimmer
Organisation:
Blastland, S.B.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Deck hand
Organisation:
Carlton, S.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Trimmer
Organisation:
Cullen, B.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Trawlerman
Organisation:
Hess, H.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Trawlerman
Organisation:
Hopward, J.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Trimmer
Organisation:
King, S.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Cook
Organisation:
Robinson, C.A.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Deck hand
Organisation:
Swinson, J.W.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Deck hand
Organisation:
Wass, H.V.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Chief engineer
Organisation:
Young, G.H.
Age:
Date of Death: 31/1/1953
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Deck hand
Organisation:

Extra

Notes: Steam trawler 'Sheldon' lost radio contact and was presumed lost with all hands. The window was erected by her owners, Sir Thomas Robinson & Son at a cost of £150. It was originally placed in the Bethel Mission, Cleethorpes.
Bibliography: Alan J Worton 'The Fisherman's and Seaman's Memorial Chapel' (leaflet)
Photographer: B. Tomlinson
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South Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India, Rest of the World

Memorial at South Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata, India commemorating Thomas Gurr, d. 1838 in the wreck of  the ‘Raj Ranee’

Location

South Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India, Rest of the World

Transcript

'In Memory of Mr. Thomas Gurr, Master Pilot / who was lost by the wreck of the Ship / Raj Ranee on the eastern reef, on the 1st August / 1838, aged 45 years, 4 months and 12 days / He was a loving and affectionate husband / My Saviour shall my soul restore / And raise me from my dark abode, / My flesh and Soul shall part no more, but dwell forever near my God. / This tablet is inscribed by his disconsolate / wife, Maria Gurr.'

Details

Vessel: Raj Ranee

People

Gurr, Thomas
Age: 45
Date of Death: 1/8/1838
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Master Pilot
Organisation: Bengal Pilot Service

Extra

Bibliography: 'The Bengal Obituary or a record to perpetuate the memory of departed worth' (Calcutta, 1848) p.164.
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All Saints' Church, Brightlingsea, Essex, England

Memorial tile in All Saints’ Church, Brightlingsea, Essex, commemorating Benjamin Chaplin d. 1883

Location

All Saints' Church, Brightlingsea, Essex, England

Transcript

'BENJAMIN CHAPLAIN / aged 51 / lost in the Smack / ‘Pride’, / in the North Sea / Dec, 12 1883'

Details

Type: Memorial tile
Vessel: Pride

People

Chaplin, Benjamin
Age: 51
Date of Death: 12/12/1883
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Fisherman
Organisation: Unknown

Extra

Bibliography: Alfred L. Wakeling and Peter Moon 'Tiles of Tragedy' (Brightlingsea, 2001)

Photographer: P Lacey
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St John's Church, Old Haymarket, Liverpool, England

Memorial at St John’s Church, Old Haymarket, Liverpool commemorating Captain Robert Lampert, Patrick Welsh, James Pierce and James Welch d. 1820 in the loss of the ‘Mary Betty’

Location

St John's Church, Old Haymarket, Liverpool, England

Transcript

'Captain Thomas Lampert of the schooner Mary Betty of and for Wexford bound to Liverpool and was lost off the Red Noses near Liverpool on 26th October 1820 age 36. Also Patrick Welsh age 22, James Pierce age 30, James Welsh age 19'

Details

Vessel: Mary Betty

People

Lampert, Thomas
Age: 36
Date of Death: 26/10/1820
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Master
Organisation:
Pierce, James
Age: 30
Date of Death: 26/10/1820
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation:
Organisation:
Welsh, James
Age: 19
Date of Death: 26/10/1820
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation:
Organisation:
Welsh, Patrick
Age: 22
Date of Death: 26/10/1820
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation:
Organisation:

Extra

Notes: From a MS in Liverpool Record Office. Compiled by James Gibson d. 1886, vol. 1, p. 636. Church demolished in 1898.
Recorder: Captain J. P. Brand
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