George Barrett, H.M. Drifter "Silver Queen", KIA Dover barrage

[midshipmanrayley]

George Barrett, 1874-1918, resident of Great Yarmouth served as Deck Hand 4411/DA in Royal Naval Reserve.

Killed in action 15th February 1918 aboard H.M.Drifter "Silver Queen" whilst serving on the Dover barrage and attacked and sunk by German destroyers.

(The enemy destroyers are mentioned as being T.B. destroyers which I take to mean torpedo boat destroyers).

I would like to discover more about George's service and the attack on the Dover barrage. Any guidance gratefully received.

[tootrock]

George Barrett has a file at the National Archives (BT 377/7/50885) which can be downloaded for £3.30

Martin

[little bob]

Swept Cannels by Taffrail, - Captain Taprell Dorling.

" On the night of February 14-15 1918 , an enemy submarine was reported in the minefield by the drifters, and heavy firing began. The "P" boats, monitors and destroyers on patrol concluded that the firing was at the submarine. They were unaware that a flotilla of German destroyers had steamed through the patrol and were attacking the paddle minesweepers, trawlers and drifters who were burning lights to assist in illuminating the minefield.

The trawler James Pond , commanded by Chief Skipper A.E.berry, D.S.C., R.N.R., was burning her flares near the French coast when he saw three destroyers approaching from the eastward at high speed. Flashing past at very close range, they each fired salvoes. It was impossible to miss. The raiders disappeared into the darkness, to leave the trawler damaged and blazing.

The enemy destroyers had not finished. After passing the James Pond they turned sharply to the north-north-west along the line of drifters, firing salvoes into them as they steamed by. These little ships did not hesitate to return the fire with the tiny guns they possessed; but 3- and 6 pounders were nothing of a match for the 4.1's of the enemy. The Christina Craig, Clover Bank, Cosmos. Jeannie Murray, Silver Queen, Veracity and W Elliott, all between 60 and 96 tons, were sunk one after the other. Still more were damaged."

Bob

[horatio2]

A Lowestoft drifter, SILVER QUEEN was taken up by the Admiralty (Admiralty No.764) for the Auxiliary Patrol on 11 Jan 1915. After five days fitting-out she was transferred to Dover (HMS ATTENTIVE II/III) and had served there for more than three years when sunk.

[midshipmanrayley]

Bob, Martin and horatio2, many thanks for all you efforts.

[sadsac]

Little info on SILVER QUEEN ;

BROWN Leonard N/E Skipper RNR 79D014a Silver Queen

Vice Admiral Dover Patrol 25.07.16 Gazetted

Dover Patrol Operations 03.12.15 - 29.05.16

M in D Recommended for good service.

Possibly C/O at the time of loss ???

Sadsac

[horatio2]

Yes, Skipper BROWN was lost in the SILVER QUEEN.

[midshipmanrayley]

Many thanks Sadsac. Been ploughing through the Great Yarmouth Roll of Honour for other "Silver Queen" crew members without success so far.

[horatio2]

Silver Queen, hired net drifter, sunk

ABLETT, Montague S, Engineman, RNR, ES 1822

BARRETT, George, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 4411

BLACK, Joseph, Ordinary Seaman, J 79789 (Dev)

BLOWER, William, 2nd Hand, RNR, DA 8477

BROWN, Leonard, Ty/Skipper, RNR

GALLOWAY, Thomas, Deck Hand, RNR, SD 2376

ROURKE, Michael, Engineman, RNR, ES 1336

WATCHAM, James C, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 16505

WOOLNER, Edward W, Trimmer, RNR, DA 3341

{FROM NAVAL-HISTORY.NET}

[midshipmanrayley]

Many thanks horatio2.

[little bob]

Deckhand 3341DA Edward William Woolner son of Amos Edward and Margaret Woolner, 30 Stafford Road, Southtown, Great Yarmouth.

Bob

[midshipmanrayley]

Thanks Bob.

[KevinBattle]

Much more available at this site which has much more detail

Massacre of the drifters

http://sussexhistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=5204.0

I believe courts martial followed as the German destroyers were allowed to pass even though they failed to respond to challenges.

 

 

 

[midshipmanrayley]

Nice one Kevin, many thanks.