bruce Posted 8 January , 2009 Share Posted 8 January , 2009 I am quite prepared to admit that I know next to nothing about the war at sea. Ayesha's great uncle, Frederick Mason Guest was born in 1874 in Holyhead. His war service seems to have been on the SS Harmattan, a Harrison Line ship, built by Swan Hunter in 1911, of 4,792 tons, capable of 10 knots, and she was a defensively armed merchant ship. She was sunk after striking a mine on May 5th 1917 when seven miles north of Cape Rosa, Algeria. Thirty six lives were lost, including FM Guest, the second engineer, and her Master. There were also 3 RN casualties (on board to man the guns?). The ship's steward, V. Agius, is commemorated on the Valetta Marine War Memorial. FM Guest's name appears on the Tower Hill Memorial. I would be delighted to gobsmack Ayesha with any further information available about her great uncle. Being a land-lubber, I don't know where else to look. Any help and advice will be much appreciated. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrecktec Posted 8 January , 2009 Share Posted 8 January , 2009 I would be delighted to gobsmack Ayesha with any further information available about her great uncle. Being a land-lubber, I don't know where else to look. Any help and advice will be much appreciated. Bruce Hello Bruce GUEST, Frederick Mason lst Engineer MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 I have the names of most of the ship's crew and gunners if you need them? You can get a little more about him from the Commomwaelth War Graves Commission site at http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...asualty=2887410 Cheers Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmor58 Posted 8 January , 2009 Share Posted 8 January , 2009 Bruce, If you enter SS Harmatten into google there is a site with info on this ship, her crew and there is also a picture of her. Hope this is of help. jasmor58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 8 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 8 January , 2009 Thanks, Ron. If you can easily send the names of the rest of the crew, that would be great! Thanks, also Jas. I will do just that! I knew i could rely on Pals to help!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted 8 January , 2009 Share Posted 8 January , 2009 Hi, Checked the archives for NY Times, Washington Post, Boston Daily Globe and LA Times for that period and struck out. I'll keep poking around and see if I turn anything up. -Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 8 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 8 January , 2009 Wow! Now I never thought of looking in American papers! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted 8 January , 2009 Share Posted 8 January , 2009 Bruce, If you enter SS Harmatten into google there is a site with info on this ship, her crew and there is also a picture of her. Hope this is of help. jasmor58 Hi, Do you have the link handy? -Daniel Wow! Now I never thought of looking in American papers! Thanks Bruce, I also found the following: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/r...9-08/0934728778 Have you tried to track down this fellow? It is an old post and the email trail might be cold but it might be an interesting conversation if you can find him. -Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence Munson Posted 8 January , 2009 Share Posted 8 January , 2009 Hi, A touch more info: The minefield was laid by UC 37 commanded by Otto Launburg (Oberleutnant zur See) Cheers, Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 8 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 8 January , 2009 Thanks for all of this! Now I have to decide how much longer I can wait before presenting all your info to Ayesha. I reckon her smack will rarely have been more gobbed! Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted 8 January , 2009 Share Posted 8 January , 2009 I reckon her smack will rarely have been more gobbed! Thanks all. That will be my new quote of the day! -Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrecktec Posted 9 January , 2009 Share Posted 9 January , 2009 Hello Bruce Here is the list of names that I could find: AGIUS, Vincenzo Ordinary Seaman MM SS Harmattan (London) drowned 5.5.17 ANDERSON, Peter Donkeyman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 BAKER, Moses Greaser MM SS Harmattan (London) drowned 5.5.17 BENJAMIN, A. Fireman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 BENJAMIN, Zachariah Assistant Cook MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 BESTMAN, Thomas Fireman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 BULL, John Fireman & Trimmer MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 DOE, Jim Fireman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 DUTTON, Hugh Assistant Cook MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 FARQUHARSON, Henry Master MM SS Harmattan (London) drowned 5.5.17 GORDON, C. G. WO MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 GOUDIE, P. 1st Mate MM SS Harmattan drowned 5.5.17 GRETS, G. Sailor MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 GROVES, Walter William Fireman MMR 803936 HMS Stephen Furness killed 13.12.17 GROW, D. Able Seaman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 GUEST, Frederick Mason l Engineer MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 HINTON, Joe Fireman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 JAMES, Thomas WO MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 MACKIE, Harry George Chief Steward MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 MASON, Vaughan 4th Engineer MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 MENDI, Levy Fireman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 MOORE, George Fireman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 NILSEN, F. Sailor MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 PAJU, K..Sailor MM SS Harnattan (London) killed 5.5.17 PARKINSON, G. E. Ship’s Cook MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 PARRY, James Gordon 2nd Mate MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 ROBERTS, Richard 2nd Engineer MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 SEHLESSTE, F. Slr MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 THORN, A. Fireman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 TORBOTOH, John Greaser MM served as LIVERPOOL SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 WADE, John William Mess Steward MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 WALKER, Sam Fireman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 WATT, William Able Seaman MM SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 WOOLDRIDGE, William George Assistant Steward MM SS SS Harmattan (London) killed 5.5.17 HOOK, Frank LdgSmn RN 217413 (D) SS Harmattan killed 5.5.17 LAMB, Arthur AB RNVR Mersey3.170 (D) SS Harmattan killed 5.5.17 SUTTON, William Charles Seaman RNR 3563£ (D) SS Harmattan killed 5.5.17 Cheers Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 9 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 9 January , 2009 Great stuff! Many thanks all I will present all this to Ayesha......and report back on her reaction! Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmania Posted 9 January , 2009 Share Posted 9 January , 2009 Bruce F M Guest's birth was registered in Holyhead in the June Qtr of 1874. His father William was a Railway Traffic Superintendant with the LNWR and the family lived at 8 Church Terrace, Holyhead. By the 1901 Census he was a 3rd Engineer on the SS Manhattan which was at the Royal Albert Dock but he himself was staying at the home of his future mother-in-law, Elizabet Larence, at 5 Heathland Road, Stoke Newington. His mariage to Ethel Agnes Ada Larence was registered in Hackney in the December Qtr of 1906. He was the Chief Engineer on the SS Harmattan when she arrived at San Francisco from Valparaiso on the 19th September 1913. On the 19th February 1914 the ship was back in San Francisco, this time from Newcastle, New South Wales and on the 12th May she was back in Australia, in Sydney. Aled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 9 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 9 January , 2009 Many thanks for this, Aled. With all the movements across the Pacific,one wonders how his wife too it? I suppose she must have known she was marrying a mariner, but would she really have known how long at a time he would be away? He seems to have worked his way up the promotional ladder with the Harrison Line, reaching the status of Chief Engineer, and stayingwith the harmattan from at least 1913 through to its sinking in 1917. I am really getting to get a picture of this man now. I hope Ayesha does too! Thanks again Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmor58 Posted 9 January , 2009 Share Posted 9 January , 2009 Daniel, Sorry, I made a mistake. The ship shown in the link is the Nova Scotia and not the Harmattan. Sorry about that. Jasmor58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 10 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 10 January , 2009 many thanks all of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huw Davies Posted 5 December , 2009 Share Posted 5 December , 2009 The wireless operator on the S S Harmattan was one Tom James of Henllan, Cardiganshire, who according to Mr. B. Sanderson (one of the survivors) stayed at his post sending out Mayday messages whilst the ship went down. His devotion to duty cost him his life and he is commemorated on the war memorial at Aberbanc. Do you happen to have any photos of the crew and/or ship? I'm researching Tom James and would love to know more about the Harmattan. I have a photograph of Tom and an account of the memorial service that was held at Gwernllwyn chapel if they would be of interest to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickW Posted 5 December , 2009 Share Posted 5 December , 2009 I am quite prepared to admit that I know next to nothing about the war at sea. Ayesha's great uncle, Frederick Mason Guest was born in 1874 in Holyhead. His war service seems to have been on the SS Harmattan, a Harrison Line ship, built by Swan Hunter in 1911, of 4,792 tons, capable of 10 knots, and she was a defensively armed merchant ship. She was sunk after striking a mine on May 5th 1917 when seven miles north of Cape Rosa, Algeria. Thirty six lives were lost, including FM Guest, the second engineer, and her Master. There were also 3 RN casualties (on board to man the guns?). The ship's steward, V. Agius, is commemorated on the Valetta Marine War Memorial. FM Guest's name appears on the Tower Hill Memorial. I would be delighted to gobsmack Ayesha with any further information available about her great uncle. Being a land-lubber, I don't know where else to look. Any help and advice will be much appreciated. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrecktec Posted 5 December , 2009 Share Posted 5 December , 2009 Rick What is the point of doing that ??????? Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 5 December , 2009 Share Posted 5 December , 2009 Rick What is the point of doing that ??????? Ron Patience, he's a beginner like we were once. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aigburth Posted 5 December , 2009 Share Posted 5 December , 2009 I am quite prepared to admit that I know next to nothing about the war at sea. Ayesha's great uncle, Frederick Mason Guest was born in 1874 in Holyhead. His war service seems to have been on the SS Harmattan, a Harrison Line ship, built by Swan Hunter in 1911, of 4,792 tons, capable of 10 knots, and she was a defensively armed merchant ship. She was sunk after striking a mine on May 5th 1917 when seven miles north of Cape Rosa, Algeria. Thirty six lives were lost, including FM Guest, the second engineer, and her Master. There were also 3 RN casualties (on board to man the guns?). The ship's steward, V. Agius, is commemorated on the Valetta Marine War Memorial. FM Guest's name appears on the Tower Hill Memorial. I would be delighted to gobsmack Ayesha with any further information available about her great uncle. Being a land-lubber, I don't know where else to look. Any help and advice will be much appreciated. Bruce Bruce, There are 3 good pictures of "SS Harmattan" on Photoship.co.uk Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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