Information courtesy of David Shuttleworth

Arthur Walker Shuttleworth was born in Scultcoates, Hull, Yorkshire, in 1887, to parents Samuel Shuttleworth and Rose Howell. The family moved to Fleetwood at the turn of the 19th century and most commenced work in the fledgling fishing industry.

Arthur married Jennette Wilson in 1910 and lived in Warwick Place and then Carr Road. They had 2 children John (the father of David who was good enough to provide this information in) in 1911 and Nora in 1916.

Arthur was called upon for active service at the outbreak of hostilities and remained in the RNR until the war’s end. However, one documented action occurred on March 9th, the sinking of SS Silverdale .
Arthur Shuttleworth was sailing as master of HMT Clementina II during the First World War. It was during this period that he was instrumental in rescuing the crew of the SS Silverdale in a position that would seem to put her off Corsica. I am quite happy to be corrected on this. In the picture below, Arthur is seated holding the fish.

Click to enlarge image

Arthur Shuttleworth

Captain Shuttleworth was subsequently presented with quite an ornate, medium sized, teapot with the inscription…

“Presented to Capt. A. Shuttleworth in recognition of gallant services rendered to Capt. McLeod and his crew, of the transport Silverdale, March 9th 1918” .

After WW1 he fished out of Fleetwood until his death in 1947. He skippered many vessels for Boston and Clifton Steam Trawlers and delivered the steam trawler Bonthorpe to Australia in 1929

Two pictures of HMT Clementina II

The following items are three letters from Captain McLeod, master of the Silverdale.

D.V.T.O.

Dear Sir
On March 9th at 00:35am, a torpedo was seen approaching the SS Silverdale on the port side forward, by my second officer Mr. J. Jappy, which struck the vessel abreast the foremast on about No 1 bulkhead port side, causing her to sink down forward rapidly.
I immediately rung the telegraph to stop and rung her off, as a signal to the engineers to come on deck. The boats were then quickly lowered into the water, and manned by the crew, and finally myself, as vessel was rapidly sinking. She disappeared about 2 minutes after we got into the boats, sinking bows foremost in Lat.37.31N by 10.40E at about 00:44am.
Great praise is due to the master of HMT Clementina II, Mr A. Shuttleworth, for the promptness and seamanlike manner in which he steamed to the scene of the disaster. and picked us up from our lifeboats within 5 minutes of the sinking of SS Silverdale, and the kind treatment provided to us, with food and clothing.

Yours Faithfully Capt. W. Mcleod

Achany Rd.
Dingwall
RossShire
20/6/18

Dear Capt Shuttleworth
Your very kind letter, and photo of your good self and ship at last at hand, after tracking me from Shildon to Lockinver, Sunderlandshire, hence here, for which accept our united thanks dear boy.
You may be sure that they will be highly appreciated for many years to come, by us and co.
I do hope that they will at least leave you at home, for 6 months, after being on active duty for 2½ years.
I am gradually moving south to my Cardiff home, and when my little girl and I get our dials taken, we shall not forget another little home at 41 Carr Road, Fleetwood.
I shall now close with Kind Regards from my little wife and self, to each of you.

Norfolk Hotel
Paddington, London
19/4/18
Dear Madam

Herewith please fnd a small token of esteem, in recognition of a brave, unselfish action rendered by your husband in picking up myself and crew, a few minutes after being torpedoed, on March 9th, on this year, at midnight.
I have put this brave action, before the Admiralty, both at Bizerta, London and Cardiff, and my owners are putting the matter before the proper Authorities.
I am now on my honeymoon, and my wife, and self wish you to accept this small gift from ourselves.
Yours Sincerely Wm. Mcleod
Late Master SS Silverdale

Click to enlarge images

HMT Clementina

HMT Clementina