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Remembered Today:

S S Combe (London


Jukes

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The COMBE (Official No.135180) was a steel-hulled 2,030-ton steam cargo ship that measured: 275ft 2in with a 39ft beam. Wood, Skinner & Co., Ltd., at Bill Quay on Tyne, near Newcastle completed her as Yard No.180 in December 1912 for Stephenson Clarke & Co., London. Her steel screw was powered by an aft positioned 3-cyl triple expansion steam engine.

The ship was missing from 14 October 1915 while voyaging from Liverpool (left on 12 Oct) to Archangelsk, with ammunition

The men who died:

BRUCE, W. Fireman & Trimmer MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

DAVID, H. A. Sam MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

DICKER, J Able Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

EDMONSTONE, J. 2ndEnge MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

GOWING, Wilfred Donkeyman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

JONES, C. L. Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

KEELEY, Francis Mess Steward MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

LAWRENCE, William Henderson Master MM Combe (London) 14.10.15

LEWIS, William Henry Arthur Boatswain (Bosun) MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

LINCOLN, Chas, Steward MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

MATTHEWS, T. R.1st Mate MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

McDONALD, F. Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

McTAGGART, Sidney Fireman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

MONAGHAN, E. Fireman & Trimmer MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

MONAGHAN, Sidney Fireman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

PENNINGTON, A. Fireman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

SHORTER, Sydney Smithers Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

STEEL, Ernest Ship’s Cook MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

SWANSON, William Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

WALKER, F. W. 2nd Engineer MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

WALKER, Robert 3rd Engineer MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

WHARTON, J. Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15

NORFOLK, Arthur G, Seaman, RNR, C 34, Combe, steamship, 14 October 1915, ship lost, drowned

Maybe Michael will know if a U-boat sank her?

Cheers Ron

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She was a hired ammunition carrier, disappeared without trace, no cause for lost identified. Somewhere I think I still have information. Few years ago i sold a medal awarded to one of her crew.

Mick

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Many thank to you both, this was the missing jig saw piece in respect of several of the crew from North Sheilds. Jukes

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Will look for research later. From memory, she was last seen sailing out of convoy. Not seen again and reported as lost. There was no cause of sinking given. She was I believe the only ammunition ship lost during WW1. This brings back memories because it was the first WW1 major research I undertook, 1987, I even had a special readers ticket for the Greenwich Maritime Museum and had dreams of Naval research, then moved to North Yorkshire where not much Navy info was accessible.

Mick

It was William Swansons medal I sold so it will still be about somewhere.

Mick

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Ron/Jukes,

Thia looks to be a non-U-boat related loss -- this is one of those periods when U-boats just weren't very active. There is a mine hazard worth mentioning though: the auxiliary minelayer Meteor had laid a bunch mines in the White Sea in June 1915, and ships continued to hit them through about this time.

Other than that, it's either weather or Combe's cargo going boom.

Best wishes,

Michael

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Will look for research later. From memory, she was last seen sailing out of convoy. Not seen again and reported as lost. There was no cause of sinking given. She was I believe the only ammunition ship lost during WW1. This brings back memories because it was the first WW1 major research I undertook, 1987, I even had a special readers ticket for the Greenwich Maritime Museum and had dreams of Naval research, then moved to North Yorkshire where not much Navy info was accessible.

Mick

It was William Swansons medal I sold so it will still be about somewhere.

Mick

Many thanks for addional information. Regards Jukes

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Ron/Jukes,

Thia looks to be a non-U-boat related loss -- this is one of those periods when U-boats just weren't very active. There is a mine hazard worth mentioning though: the auxiliary minelayer Meteor had laid a bunch mines in the White Sea in June 1915, and ships continued to hit them through about this time.

Other than that, it's either weather or Combe's cargo going boom.

Best wishes,

Michael

As the ship was reported missing two day out of Liverpool it was doubtful whether it reached the White sea. Greatfull for all replies. Regards Jukes.

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As (with the exception of the French coal trade and the 'beef runs' to the Netherlands) convoy was not introduced until June 1917, the circumstances of this loss would be enlightening.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 years later...

My Grandfather was Sidney Monaghan, his brother was Edward Monaghan. His uncle was Sidney McTaggart and his brother in law was William Bruce. Four members of my family perished on the SS Combe. This sinking destroyed our family for generations to come. My father was put in an orphanage after the sinking and never knew the name of his father (Sidney) or what happened to him until the day he died in 2002. I found my grandfather on Ancestry.com in 2011. I have since shared the missing information of the Combe with the rest of the family. We can now close this chapter of family history. (War is hell.)

John Patrick Monaghan

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  • 3 years later...
On 7/10/2009 at 23:35, Ghost said:

The Walkers were father and son. Chief and 3rd Engineers.

Alan

 

Hi All,

 

I've just found this thread whilst researching a couple of relatives on my wife's side - the Walkers. I was just wondering if any more information had come to light about this now?

 

Thanks a lot,

 

Michael

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  • 1 year later...

My Great Uncle was Francis Keeley, I was given his name of Francis in memory of him, David FRANCIS Keeley, would appreciate any information or if possible photos of ship and crew. Thank you. 😎

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Lloyd's War Losses, in the 'Missing and Untraced Merchant Vessels' list on p298, states:

 

"1915, Dec 29.M [missing]. Combe. Br [British] 2030 Gross Tons. Liverpool Oct 12 1915 to Archangel (Admy cargo). Parted escort Oct 14 1914" 

 

Oct 14 does not seem to be the date the ship was reported missing, but rather the date of last known sighting, with the actual date of loss, reason for loss, and location not known. The loss could therefore have been anytime between 14 Oct and the scheduled arrival time into Archangel. The 29 December date appears to be when the ship was listed as missing, having been overdue into Archangel by that time. Am I interpreting the Lloyd's entry correctly? 

 

Mike

Edited by MKC
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7 hours ago, MKC said:

Lloyd's War Losses, in the 'Missing and Untraced Merchant Vessels' list on p298, states:

 

"1915, Dec 29.M [missing]. Combe. Br [British] 2030 Gross Tons. Liverpool Oct 12 1915 to Archangel (Admy cargo). Parted escort Oct 14 1914" 

 

Oct 14 does not seem to be the date the ship was reported missing, but rather the date of last known sighting, with the actual date of loss, reason for loss, and location not known. The loss could therefore have been anytime between 14 Oct and the scheduled arrival time into Archangel. The 29 December date appears to be when the ship was listed as missing, having been overdue into Archangel by that time. Am I interpreting the Lloyd's entry correctly? 

 

Mike

 

You are interpreting it correctly -- would just say that Combe was well overdue into Archangel by December 29, 1915.

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On 07/10/2018 at 05:43, David Keeley said:

My Great Uncle was Francis Keeley, I was given his name of Francis in memory of him, David FRANCIS Keeley, would appreciate any information or if possible photos of ship and crew. Thank you. 😎

I don't have a Stevie Clarkes fleet list to hand, and there doesn't seem to be one online, but cannot find another later SS Combe in the Mercantile Navy List so am fairly sure this is the Combe in question

Tony

Combe.jpg

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