Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow and Gary Hicks
Technical
Official Number: 102955
Yard Number: 122
Completed: 1894
Gross Tonnage: 150
Net Tonnage: 62
Length: 103.3 ft
Breadth: 20.8 ft
Depth: 10.7 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Hull
Engine: 276ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
History
5.6.1894: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Hull (Yd.No.122) for Samuel T. White & George T. Armitage, Hull and James Chant, Plymouth as CHANTICLEER.
22.6.1894: Completed and registered at Hull (H254). Samuel T. White designated managing owner.
8.1898: Sold to James Chant & Mrs M. J. Padden, Plymouth. James Chant designated managing owner.
12.8.1898: Hull registry closed.
13.8.1898: Registered at Plymouth (PH402).
8.6.1905: In the morning, sailed Plymouth for the fishing grounds (Sk. Richard Johns). When outside the Sound to the west end of the breakwater observed HM Submarine A8 coming in. As the submarine drew closer they heard someone onboard shouting “ What are you doing; you will have us overboard” and at 30 to 50 yards watched as she fell over to starboard and went down by the head, four men being in the water. Sk. Johns ordered the boat to be launched and manned by the mate, James Phillips and deckhand Edward Knox, pulled over and picked up the CO, Lieut. Algernon H. C. Candy RN, Sub Lieut. H. C. Murdoch RN, PO William Waller and Act Ldg Stoker George Watt. Sk. Johns took the survivors onboard and was thanked by Lieut Candy who said they could not render any further assistance. With that the four survivors were transferred to HM Torpedo Boat 70 and Sk. Johns proceeded to sea. There were no survivors, other than the four picked up from the water *.
12.6.1905: Submarine raised, a sprung rivet was found in the forward tank. Later repaired and returned to service.
21.6.1905: At the Court-martial of Lieut. Candy and Sub Lieut. Murdoch assembled onboard HMS EMPRESS of INDIA at Devonport, Rear Admiral C. G. Robinson presiding, it was stated that HM Submarine A8 in company with A7 and escorted by HM Torpedo Boat 80 (Cdr Hall RN in overall charge), had left Devonport for an area just outside the breakwater for trimming, preparatory to proceeding on a gas engine to a position off Looe there to dive. On getting underway the submarine, for some unexplained cause changed buoyancy and trim and down by the head, started to dive and list to starboard, throwing the four men in the conning tower into the water as she capsized and went under. Sk. Johns, mate, James Phillips and deckhand Edward Knox gave evidence and on conclusion, Admiral Robinson said “The Court are very much obliged to you and your crew for your prompt assistance.” Captain Johns responded “Thank you, sir.” After further evidence from the survivors the Court acquitted Lieut. Candy and Sub Lieut. Murdoch of all blame and returned them their swords.
10.1906: Lengthened 114.4 ft 173.42g 72.16n Part deck renewed.
10.1906: New boiler by James Neilson & Son Ltd, Glasgow.
11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.921).
1919: Returned to owner.
3.1919: Sold to William Thomas Sinderson (64/64), Grimsby. William Thomas Sinderson designated managing owner.
20.3.1919: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) top National Provincial & Union Bank of England Ltd, London (A).
3.1919: Plymouth registry closed.
20.3.1919: Registered at Grimsby (GY124).
25.3.1919: Mortgage (A) discharged.
4.7.1919: Sold to Wharncliffe Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
4.7.1919: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial & Union Bank of England Ltd, London (B).
26.8.1919: William Thomas Sinderson appointed manager.
15.2.1924: Mortgagee re-styled National Provincial Bank Ltd, London.
7.8.1925: Sold by order of the mortgagee under mortgage (B) to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby,
4.9.1925: Basil Arthur Parkes, Grimsby designated manager.
1926: Re-measured 180g 48n.
12.1926: Sold to G. Honoré, Boulogne.
9.12.1926: Grimsby registry closed.
12.1926: Registered at Boulogne as Henriville (B.??).
1938: Sold to shipbreakers and broken up.
Note – * Lost crew of HM Submarine A8 – Sub Lieut. Edward T. Fletcher RN; PO William George Ayloff, PO Arthur B. Crew; Ldg Sea. Thomas Cusack, Ldg Sea. John Kerswell, Ldg Sea.James W. Simpson, Ldg Sea. Joseph Thomas; AB Stephen Birch, AB John McKnight, AB Arthur Rylands; ERA George Beedham, ERA William G. Bruckland, ERA Frederick Vickers; Ch Stoker Thomas S. Reeve; Stoker Edmond Greene.
Changelog
10/06/2010: Page published. 3 updates since then.
12/08/2018: Information updated.
19/11/2019: Information updated.