brimacombe Posted 26 October , 2023 Share Posted 26 October , 2023 Hello all! I'm trying to put together a piece about submarine H8, and particularly the incident of 22 March 1916, when she struck a British mine which caused considerable damage to her bow section. Sinking to the bottom, the crew (under Canadian B. L. Johnson, RNR - the only RNR officer to command a submarine during the war) managed to resurface the vessel and make the journey back to Harwich. I had promised to put together some detail for the relative of an ERA4 who was on the boat during the incident (which only came to light after discovering a yellowing newspaper cutting, written by an American journalist at the time of the event - though mentioning no vessel by name of course). I've got a couple of questions - one of which is more of a unobtainable wish I expect! Firstly, does anyone have a crew list for H8 at the time of the incident (I know - a big ask!) or for the opening months of 1916. Secondly, the compliment of the H-class submarines was 22. Can anyone explain how this compliment was made up - I know there would, of course be variations, but, typically, what did the crew consist of (what trades, officers etc) I'd really appreciate your help guys With thanks, as always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KizmeRD Posted 26 October , 2023 Share Posted 26 October , 2023 Why start a new thread on pretty much the same topic as your previous one? It just makes things messy and difficult to follow - for that reason, we generally try to avoid doing it on the Forum. MB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimacombe Posted 26 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 26 October , 2023 Apologies MB, However, I started a new thread because I felt the title of this new thread was far more specific, (including the specific submarine and date) and may attract attention by forum members who might not otherwise have taken a look - my earlier request showed neither. Best wishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 26 October , 2023 Share Posted 26 October , 2023 (edited) For example, the loss of H.6 afew weeks aerlier on 19 Jan 1916 (from naval-history.net):- H.6, submarine, ran aground on Dutch coast, all crew survived, two officers, coxswain, chief ERA and 8 ratings taken off, rest interned Beebe, Arthur William, Stoker 1c, K 11810, survivor, interned Beer, John William Bath, Stoker 1c, K 4194, survivor, interned Brown, Cuthbert Leslie, Lieutenant, RNR, survivor Burnett, John, Ordinary Telegraphist, J 26636, survivor, interned Chandler, Harry, Able Seaman, J 1795, survivor, interned Charman, William Albert, Boy Telegraphist, J 31362, survivor Cooper, David William, Able Seaman, 219705, survivor, interned Darvill, Frederick Albert, Able Seaman, 236159, survivor Davis, Frederick Charles, Stoker 1c, K 11937, survivor Dudley, Leonard, Able Seaman, 236955, survivor, interned Elderfield, William Francis, Stoker 1c, K 10483, survivor, interned Gibson, Arthur, Petty Officer, 179798, survivor, interned Hawkins, Sidney Victor, Leading Stoker, 308323, survivor Keys, Frank, Engine Room Artificer 3c, M 5105, survivor King, Cecil Hanks, Able Seaman, J 790, survivor Manley, Joseph, Engine Room Artificer 2c, 272478, survivor Ridding, Ernest Henry, Leading Seaman, 220966, survivor, interned Robinson, Frederick James, Stoker Petty Officer, 308214, survivor, interned Ryder, Dudley William, Lieutenant, RN, survivor Saunders, Henry George, Petty Officer, 194067, survivor Stopford, Robert Neville, Lieutenant, RN, survivor, interned Whitelaw, Thomas Broomfield, Engine Room Artificer 1c, 936 EA, survivor, interned Edited 26 October , 2023 by horatio2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimacombe Posted 26 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 26 October , 2023 Brilliant - thanks Horatio! That's exactly the detail I was looking for - thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KizmeRD Posted 26 October , 2023 Share Posted 26 October , 2023 2 hours ago, brimacombe said: .. the crew (under Canadian B. L. Johnson, RNR - the only RNR officer to command a submarine during the war) managed to resurface the vessel and make the journey back to Harwich. Worse than being RNR (in the eyes of regular navy submariners) Barney Johnson was officially serving as an RNCVR officer up until after he’d already completed the trans-Atlantic delivery voyage. This utterly appalled his fellow RN officers (as can’t have people believing that amateur sailors might be capable of commanding advanced naval technology) and before he was begrudgingly allowed to take command of an operational submarine, he was required to accept an RNR commission (based on his prior mercantile marine experience and Master Mariners qualification). MB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimacombe Posted 26 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 26 October , 2023 Thanks MD Apparently, he was initially offered a commission in the RN, which he refused, accepting (as you say) a commission in the RNR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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