SPEEDWELL V  BF328

Official No: 127329   Port and Year:   Banff, 1911

Description: Side drifter / trawler, steel; steam screw, coal burning.  Ketch rigged.

Crew:  10 men

Built: 1911, by J. Duthie, Torry Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Aberdeen.  (Yard no. 354)

Tonnage: 92 grt  38 net.

Length / breadth / depth (feet): 86 / 18.5 / 8.7

Engine: T-3Cyl.  42 nhp   Engine by W.V.V. Lidgerwood, Glasgow.

Owners:   1911: G & G Morrison, Banff.   1913: W. Blackhall & Others, Gardenstown,  Banff.

Landed at Milford: As Admiralty net vessel: 2 Jul 1915 - 22 Oct 1916

Skippers:

Notes:  Feb 1915: Requisitioned by the Admiralty; converted to a net vessel. (Admy no. 2264.) 28 Oct 1916: Foundered with the loss of all hands.  [See below.]

Accidents and Incidents

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 3rd November 1916:

 

    CREW OF TEN LOST

MILFORD HAVEN VESSEL BROKEN UP OFF ROSSLARE

 

    A gale of unprecedented ferocity swept over Wexford  during the week-end.  In the early hours of Saturday morning the steam drifter Speedwell of Milford Haven, when making for Rosslare Pier for shelter, was driven ashore on Splaugh Rock, off Greenore Point.  The vessel broke up quickly in the heavy sea, and the entire crew of ten were lost.

 

From a report by the Senior Naval Officer, Milford Haven, to the Admiralty:

 

            No definite information can be obtained with regard to the cause of H.M.D. No. 2264 "Speedwell V" stranding on the Splaugh Rock.  The Commanding Officer of H.M.D. No. 2712 "Verdant", belonging to the same group, and who was in company with her shortly before, states that an exceptionally strong Southerly tide was experienced when entering Rosslare.

            The South Long Bank Buoy Light was extinguished and violent rain squalls were frequently passing over, which caused the lights of Rosslare to be obscured for long intervals.

            It is considered that the wreck of the "Speedwell V" was due to the difficulties of navigation on this particular night.

 

From B.T. and R. Larn (2002):   Shipwreck Index of Ireland  

SPEEDWELL V        28/10/1916

Co. Wexford, Greenore Point, Splaugh Rock    52.14N 06.18W

Voyage: Greenore - War patrol & return

..........

This net drifter was hired by the Admiralty in 1915, armed and converted to a minesweeper.  She drove ashore during a SE gale and although her distress signals were seen and reported to the coastguard, the sea conditions were such that no help was possible.  Her crew were buried in Kilscoran Church, the wreck left showing only her masts and the top of her funnel.

 

 

 

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