Egyptian Gunboats in the Red Sea

[Ian Burns]

I have been looking through the Journal of Midshipman M Parkes-Buchanan, HMS Minerva and found the following intriguing entry:

Entry for 2 January 1915:

We arrived at Tor [on eastern coast of southern end of Gulf of Suez] shortly after 3.30 pm; the Northbrook was there at anchor when we arrived; there was also one of the Kedival [sic] mail steamers in the harbour onboard which all the European inhabitants of Tor had taken shelter from the impending attacks by Arab raiders. About 4 pm one of the Egyptian gunboats arrived and anchored in the harbour. After dark the Northbrook swept the shore with her searchlights.

Now, Egyptian gunboats? I know there were a handful surviving along the Nile, but in the Red Sea?

Any suggestions, solutions, photos, discussion, etc welcomed.

 

 

[michaeldr]

Ian,

 

Jane's lists the following River Gunboats for Egypt:

 

Melik, Sheik and Sultan - 1897, 140 tons, speed 11kts, 2 screws in tunnel.

Guns: 1-12pdr + 1-24pdr howitzer, 3 machine

 

The others are stern-wheel steamers (which feature was not mentioned ?)

Fateh, Nasir, & Zafir -1896, 128 tons, speed 12kts, 

Guns: 1-12pdr = 1-24pdr howitzer, 4 machine

Abu Klea, Hafir, Metemmeh & Tamal (no date or weight given)

Guns: 1-22pdr in first, 1-9pdr in others

 

"Also 24 other River Steamers built 1885-1908"

 

[michaeldr]

For the Melik see https://www.melik.org.uk/discover/nile-gunboats/gunboat-melik/

 

[horatio2]

Ian, You have probably seen the transcription of MINERVA's log but for others:-

She arrived at Tor at 3.40pm and anchored, NORTHBROOK is recorded as "present". The only movement noted is "5.25pm: Nour-el-Bahr arrived (the private yacht of the Sultan of Maskat)". MINERVA left Tor at 4.15 am the next day [i.e. during the night}. No other movements recorded.

Has the yacht been mis-identified as a gunboat?

http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM_53-49449/ADM 53-49449-103_1.jpg

 

Edited 19 March , 2019 by horatio2

[michaeldr]

4 minutes ago, horatio2 said:

Has the yacht been mis-identified as a gunboat

 

Nour-el-Bahr sported one 3pdr so could possibly have been so mis-identified

 

edit to add: Jane's has her down as a Customs Cruiser

Edited 19 March , 2019 by michaeldr

[horatio2]

This link has her as Egyptian Coastguard. - https://uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/4476.html

[Ian Burns]

Mea Culpa...

I should have checked Minerva's log books before making this post. Minerva's are summarized here : http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-05-HMS_Minerva.htm

The Old Weather is a new source to me. Thanks I shall explore.

 

There is a web site https://www.naval-encyclopedia.com/ww1/fourth-rank-navies that mentions the Egyptian Navy in WW1. It contains the comment "6 coastguards, Noor el Bahr, Nesim, Marda, Zarif, Saria and Abbas, dating from 1884 to 1891. The last was torpedoed by the U35 in Bay of Solloum in Nov. 1915. Armed Yachts Mahroussa, Emirighain, and Abdul Monaym (1865-1902)."

Noor el Bahr [sic] gets a mention, albeit without details. Good old Jane's!.

 

Checking the U-boat net - Nour el Bahr was attacked at Sollum on 5 Nov 1915. There is a summary of the attack, which also sank the Abbas by gunfire not torpedo, in The Sanusi's Little War by Russell McGuirk (Arabian Publishing,2007) on p.8. Also a reference to ADM 137/193, no.184.

 

My question is answered. Thank you all.