Flower-class Sloops fitted for Kite Balloons.

[Ian Burns]

The Flower-class Sloop came in numerous variations and numbers. Some were fitted for Kite Balloons... But, and this is my question, which ones?

Is there a list available?

I am attaching a photo and drawing for your interest.

 

[Archer]

There's nothing worse than someone sticking an oar in to talk about themselves, so forgive me...

I came across this reference in an Australian newspaper:

“Mr. Whittington served in a sloop which used to send men aloft in a kite balloon to see whether there were any submarines in the vicinity. Observing was not Mr. Whittington’s duty, but he went up once or twice for the experience and found it rough, with the sloop constantly zig-zagging in convoy” (Newcastle Morning Herald (Saturday, 16 May 1953), p. 5).

So I looked the gentleman up. He served in H.M.S. Magnolia, 1 200 tons, one of twenty-four Acacia-class sweeping sloops built by Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., and launched in June 1915. When he received his draft, she was commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Herbert E.W.C. Whyte, r.n.  According to the “Pink List,” dated 2 January, 1918, she was listed as a patrol and escort ship doing duty in Egyptian waters and the Red Sea. The log of H.M.S. Hannibal records that on 21 October 1918 she entered Alexandria harbour at 3.00 p.m., “with balloon.”

I know this is not exactly what you were asking for...

:cheers:

William

 

[Ian Burns]

Au contraire, that's just the sort of information I find useful.

I am currently mostly interested in the Egypt based sloops, because of a book project, but I also have an ongoing interest in naval kite balloons.

Magnolia I had previously identified as a possible balloon sloop (for lack of a better term) so confirmation is great!

The Egypt based sloops came from the 13^th Sloop Flotilla, comprising at various times: Amaryllis, Bryony, Cornflower, Gardenia, Ivy, Lily, Mallow, Magnolia, Nigella, Valerian, and Verbena. But which of these actually were fitted for balloons I have no idea.

The received their KB from the Balloon Station at Alexandria which was located off Mex Road 'just inside the breakwater' close to the entrance to the harbour. But, again, I have been unable to determine the exact location of the base.

Oh. What rank and rate was Mr Whittington?

Cheers

Ian

[Archer]

Quote What rank and rate was Mr Whittington? Whittington joined the Royal Navy for the duration of hostilities as Ordinary Seaman, No. J74978, Chatham Division, on 2 August 1917. He was taken as Ordinary Seaman onto the books of H.M.S. Egmont, List 12 (men borne for service in tenders), for duty at the Royal Naval Depot, Port Said  on 11 March 1918. It is unclear when he was drafted into H.M.S. Magnolia - probably in May 1918 [per the Egmont June 1918 ledger]. No non-substantive rating noted in his record.

Edited 3 May , 2024 by Archer

[KizmeRD]

I was recently looking at sloops that were engaged on Gibraltar-Bizerte convoys during 1918, and can confirm that the followings ships had balloons fitted…

CALENDINE

CHRYSANTHEMUM

CLEMATIS

MAGNOLIA*

MARGUERITA

PENTSEMON

SNAPDRAGON

* fitted prior to her arrival in Alexandria, where she was eventually based.

mb

Edited 10 May , 2024 by KizmeRD

[Ian Burns]

Good stuff.

As mentioned above, the13^th Sloop Flotilla, based at Port Said/Alexandria, comprised at various times: Amaryllis, Bryony, Cornflower, Gardenia, Ivy, Lily, Mallow, Magnolia, Nigella, Valerian, and Verbena.

I suspect all were pre-fitted with the balloon 'decks', etcetera, in the UK (?) prior to being sent to the Mediterranean. Possibly whilst building.

The Kite Balloon Station at Alexandria was established in mid to late 1918 - I do not yet have an exact date - so it is likely that balloons were not widely used from Egypt.

 

[ARABIS]

Bruce Robertson wrote an article "Balloonatics" for the Summer 1986 Sea Classic International magazine about the use of kite balloons with ships.  At the end is a list of ships parenting lighter-than-air craft 1914-19 & the Flower class sloops listed are Berberis, Cyclamen, Honeysuckle, Penstemon & Snapdragon.

ARABIS. 

[Ian Burns]

Quote

Bruce Robertson wrote an article "Balloonatics" for the Summer 1986 Sea Classic International magazine

That is very interesting. Could you let me have the Volume/Issue number and pages?

Thanks

Ian

[ARABIS]

39 minutes ago, Ian Burns said:

That is very interesting. Could you let me have the Volume/Issue number and pages?

Thanks

Ian

It was an Argus Specialist Publication, Summer 1986, pages 6-10. I can try & scan the pages for you, I think I have your e-mail address or I can try via PM.

David.

[MaureenE]

Ian Burns, I don't know whether the following online account falls within your interests

"Spotting Mines from a Balloon" by Lieut. Audrey L C White pages 37-38 and page 56 Popular Aviation January 1931. Google Books. Post war mine clearing the sea for shipping and reopening the port of Constantinople.

Maureen

[Ian Burns]

Thanks Maureen,

An interesting article to add to my file on Navak KBs

Ian