seanryan Posted 24 January , 2011 Share Posted 24 January , 2011 Ian (MedalHunter) posted the following in 2004. William Ryan was my Granduncle. I would be interested to hear from Ian Posted 22 October 2004 - 12:16 PM Hi All, Merchant seamen will be found on CWGC website. I looked up a William Ryan who's Mercantile Marine medal I have. He was a 'Donkeyman' and died 12/05/1918 aged 38. Unit/ship given as S.S. "Inniscarra" (Cork). Unfortunately that's as far as I got with him as I don't live near London and most of the records. Can anyone help with the ship details? Was the ship sunk? The only advice on your relative is to keep asking and looking. Something will turn up and start a whole line of info. Usually though each answer you get brings with it more questions!! Good luck. Regards Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piorun Posted 24 January , 2011 Share Posted 24 January , 2011 The SS Iniscarra was sunk by a torpedo from U-86 in May 1918 ten miles south east of Ballycottin Island on the approaches to Cork en route from Fishguard. Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 25 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 25 January , 2011 Thanks Anthony, I knew when it was sunk and most of the details but did not know the actual submarine. The SS Iniscarra was sunk by a torpedo from U-86 in May 1918 ten miles south east of Ballycottin Island on the approaches to Cork en route from Fishguard. Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piorun Posted 25 January , 2011 Share Posted 25 January , 2011 Sorry, Seank. I misinterpreted your quote as your post. Glad I could add a wee bit anyway. All the best, Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Underdown Posted 25 January , 2011 Share Posted 25 January , 2011 Sean, Do you know any more about him? 26 men of the mercantile marine named William Ryan qualified for war medals http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=first_name%3dwilliam%7clast_name%3dryan&catid=45&pagenumber=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=* of these, with the information from CWGC that his parents lived in Cork and he was 38, the most likely candidate would appear to be http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=8525877 born Waterford 1879. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 25 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 25 January , 2011 No need to be sorry Anthony, I was delighted with the info. Sean Sorry, Seank. I misinterpreted your quote as your post. Glad I could add a wee bit anyway. All the best, Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 25 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 25 January , 2011 This is my Grand Uncle William. William was born to Hugh and Margaret Ryan in Johnstown, Glounthaune, Co Cork on 16th of June 1879. In Memory of Donkeyman WILLIAM RYAN S.S. "Inniscarra" (Cork), Mercantile Marine who died age 38 on 12 May 1918 Son of Margaret and the late Hugh Ryan, of 7, Mahoney's Avenue, Lower Rd., Cork. Remembered with honour TOWER HILL MEMORIAL<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"> Sean, Do you know any more about him? 26 men of the mercantile marine named William Ryan qualified for war medals http://www.nationala...=1&mediaarray=* of these, with the information from CWGC that his parents lived in Cork and he was 38, the most likely candidate would appear to be http://www.nationala...Edoc_Id=8525877 born Waterford 1879. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaelgoir Posted 26 January , 2011 Share Posted 26 January , 2011 Inniscara would have been owned by Cork Steam packet company, she was attacked previously and missed by a torpedo in st Georges channel 11-11-1917. When sunk 28 lives were lost. She did a nightly Cork Fishguard journey She was owned by Cork steam packet company was taken over by B&I line i believe and they became Irish Continental or ICG who still exist but i do not know what records survive or where. There is an account in "Quenstown for orders" byDr JM Barry including a list of those drowned and mentioning some survivors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 26 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 26 January , 2011 Thanks Gaelgóir, I will try to get my hands on a copy of "Quenstown For orders" by Dr JM Barry Seán Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandy hall Posted 26 January , 2011 Share Posted 26 January , 2011 Sean MedalHunter has not been active on forum since 16 September 2010. If you go to members and search on the name MedalHunter you will get their details up, another 2 posts and you will be able to send them a message. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 27 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 27 January , 2011 Mandy Thank you for the information Seán Sean MedalHunter has not been active on forum since 16 September 2010. If you go to members and search on the name MedalHunter you will get their details up, another 2 posts and you will be able to send them a message. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 27 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 27 January , 2011 Gaelgóir, Ba chóir dom a rá, go raibh maith agat ( For the rest of the world I am just saying I should have said thank you in Irish) Seán Thanks Gaelgóir, I will try to get my hands on a copy of "Quenstown For orders" by Dr JM Barry Seán Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 1 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 1 February , 2011 Can anybody tell me if there was just one medal awarded (Widows Penny) The reason I am trying to contact MedalHunter is that he states (in 2004) he has William's Medal. WILLIAMS MEDAL IS IN THE FAMILY HOME IN CORK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 6 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 6 February , 2011 Anybody know if any of the bodies of the "Inniscarra" crew were found? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piorun Posted 6 February , 2011 Share Posted 6 February , 2011 28 were lost. Her normal crew was 33 with a complement of 2. Captain was P.F. Kelly. Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 6 February , 2011 Share Posted 6 February , 2011 Sean, they may have been, but not in a state to be identified.... These are the ones on the CWGC database, all commemorated at Tower Hill. 001 ATTRIDGE A - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 002 BUCKLEY F - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 003 CLARKE G - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 004 COX P - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 005 DRISCOLL D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 006 EVANS W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 007 FORDE M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 008 GEARY M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 009 HARRINGTON J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 010 HARRIS J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 011 HAYES R - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 012 MULLANE J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 013 MURPHY M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 014 NEILL W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 015 O'BRIEN J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 016 O'CONNELL L - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 017 O'CONNELL J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 018 O'HARE M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 019 O'MAHONY D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 020 O'SHEA D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 021 O'SULLIVAN M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 022 PAGE JG BRISTOL/Z/5062 SS INNISCARRA 12/05/1918 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE 023 PETERS RJ - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 024 RYAN W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 025 TUCKER G WALES/Z/3713 SS INNISCARRA 12/05/1918 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE The Irishshipwrecks website has this information:- LOSS OF A CORK BOAT. FIVE SURVIVORS. News has been received at Queenstown that the City of Cork Steam Packet Company's passenger steamer Inniscarra bound from Fishguard to Cork has been sunk by a German submarine. All on board were lost except the captain the chief engineer and three seamen who were landed at Queenstown. The captain was injured. The remaining 37 men who were on board are missing. The vessel sank within a very short time after being torpedoed and some of the ropes attached to one of the boats got entangled and the occupants were thrown into the water. One of the survivors succeeded in getting into a boat and was taken on board the submarine. Another reached a raft. * The Inniscarra, which had a gross tonnage of 1,412, was built at Newcastle by Wigham Richardson, and Co. in 1903. The Times, Saturday, May 25, 1918 No doubt there were passengers to make up the 37 missing, but I haven't found any List of those. Incidentally, with reference to the William Ryan of the initial post, have you seen this photo? William Ryan (Hmmm. doesn't seem to want to go "live".... try http://irishconstabulary.com/topic/940/Constable-Whelan--Queenstown-Junction-Railway-Station--1895) It allegedly shows William as a young boy...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 6 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 6 February , 2011 Kevin Thank you for your help The Irishshipwrecks website is being nice to the sub. According to the Captain (survived) the crew of the sub fired over their heads to prevent them rescuing their shipmates. They took one of the survivors on board to interrogate him about the officers of the ship and then put him back in the lifeboat. I presume that those eventually wahed ashore were just buried unidentified where they were found? Thanks again Sean Sean, they may have been, but not in a state to be identified.... These are the ones on the CWGC database, all commemorated at Tower Hill. 001 ATTRIDGE A - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 002 BUCKLEY F - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 003 CLARKE G - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 004 COX P - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 005 DRISCOLL D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 006 EVANS W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 007 FORDE M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 008 GEARY M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 009 HARRINGTON J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 010 HARRIS J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 011 HAYES R - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 012 MULLANE J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 013 MURPHY M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 014 NEILL W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 015 O'BRIEN J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 016 O'CONNELL L - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 017 O'CONNELL J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 018 O'HARE M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 019 O'MAHONY D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 020 O'SHEA D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 021 O'SULLIVAN M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 022 PAGE JG BRISTOL/Z/5062 SS INNISCARRA 12/05/1918 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE 023 PETERS RJ - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 024 RYAN W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 025 TUCKER G WALES/Z/3713 SS INNISCARRA 12/05/1918 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE The Irishshipwrecks website has this information:- LOSS OF A CORK BOAT. FIVE SURVIVORS. News has been received at Queenstown that the City of Cork Steam Packet Company's passenger steamer Inniscarra bound from Fishguard to Cork has been sunk by a German submarine. All on board were lost except the captain the chief engineer and three seamen who were landed at Queenstown. The captain was injured. The remaining 37 men who were on board are missing. The vessel sank within a very short time after being torpedoed and some of the ropes attached to one of the boats got entangled and the occupants were thrown into the water. One of the survivors succeeded in getting into a boat and was taken on board the submarine. Another reached a raft. * The Inniscarra, which had a gross tonnage of 1,412, was built at Newcastle by Wigham Richardson, and Co. in 1903. The Times, Saturday, May 25, 1918 No doubt there were passengers to make up the 37 missing, but I haven't found any List of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 6 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 6 February , 2011 Kevin I missed your bit on the photograph of William in the Royal Irish Constabulary site. That is indeed William in the front of the photo, it was taken around 1895 or possibly a bit earlier.. William was born on 16th June 1879. I put it up there. He had three brothers in the RIC ; Christopher (my Grandfather) , Michael Joseph and James. His father was the Station Master at Queenstown Junction Railway Station. Sean Sean, they may have been, but not in a state to be identified.... These are the ones on the CWGC database, all commemorated at Tower Hill. 001 ATTRIDGE A - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 002 BUCKLEY F - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 003 CLARKE G - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 004 COX P - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 005 DRISCOLL D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 006 EVANS W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 007 FORDE M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 008 GEARY M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 009 HARRINGTON J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 010 HARRIS J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 011 HAYES R - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 012 MULLANE J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 013 MURPHY M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 014 NEILL W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 015 O'BRIEN J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 016 O'CONNELL L - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 017 O'CONNELL J - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 018 O'HARE M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 019 O'MAHONY D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 020 O'SHEA D - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 021 O'SULLIVAN M - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 022 PAGE JG BRISTOL/Z/5062 SS INNISCARRA 12/05/1918 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE 023 PETERS RJ - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 024 RYAN W - SS INNISCARRA CORK 12/05/1918 MERCANTILE MARINE 025 TUCKER G WALES/Z/3713 SS INNISCARRA 12/05/1918 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE The Irishshipwrecks website has this information:- LOSS OF A CORK BOAT. FIVE SURVIVORS. News has been received at Queenstown that the City of Cork Steam Packet Company's passenger steamer Inniscarra bound from Fishguard to Cork has been sunk by a German submarine. All on board were lost except the captain the chief engineer and three seamen who were landed at Queenstown. The captain was injured. The remaining 37 men who were on board are missing. The vessel sank within a very short time after being torpedoed and some of the ropes attached to one of the boats got entangled and the occupants were thrown into the water. One of the survivors succeeded in getting into a boat and was taken on board the submarine. Another reached a raft. * The Inniscarra, which had a gross tonnage of 1,412, was built at Newcastle by Wigham Richardson, and Co. in 1903. The Times, Saturday, May 25, 1918 No doubt there were passengers to make up the 37 missing, but I haven't found any List of those. Incidentally, with reference to the William Ryan of the initial post, have you seen this photo? William Ryan (Hmmm. doesn't seem to want to go "live".... try http://irishconstabu...y-Station--1895) It allegedly shows William as a young boy...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 6 February , 2011 Share Posted 6 February , 2011 Sorry, I didn't know it was a boomerang to your own info!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 6 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 6 February , 2011 Thanks again Anthony Sean 28 were lost. Her normal crew was 33 with a complement of 2. Captain was P.F. Kelly. Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 6 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 6 February , 2011 Thanks again Kevin, your help and effort was much appreciated. Every liittle bit helps to build up the picture. Sean Sorry, I didn't know it was a boomerang to your own info!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 16 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 16 February , 2011 Is there a difference between a Mercantile Marine Medal and the "Widows Penny" or is it the same thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piorun Posted 16 February , 2011 Share Posted 16 February , 2011 Yes. The Widow's Penny was the large bronze plaque issued in the name of any soldier killed during the War. It was sent to the family, together with the Memorial Scroll and other such offerings of gratitude from HMG. The Mercantile Marine Medal was issued to Mercant Navy men who made one or more voyages through a "danger zone". It was standard medal size, bronze, and had a red and green ribbon with a white centre stripe. Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 16 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 16 February , 2011 Thanks again Anthony and that explains a lot for me. "Medal Hunter" appears to be in possession of my Granduncle William's medal and the Widows Penny is in William's family home in Cork. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanryan Posted 12 May , 2011 Author Share Posted 12 May , 2011 On this day the 12th May in the year 1918, WILLIAM RYAN from Cork was drowned together with thirty of his shipmates when at 4.20 a.m. the S.S. 'Inniscarra' (Cork) was torpedoed by the German Submarine U 86. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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