PFF Posted 12 July , 2005 Share Posted 12 July , 2005 In August 1918 was a British Minelayer blown up in the North Sea with loss of all hands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kin47 Posted 12 July , 2005 Share Posted 12 July , 2005 Hello Checking the George Ransome list for WW I casualties, there are no minelayers lost in August 1918. There are instances that may fit, but not in this time frame. don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 12 July , 2005 Share Posted 12 July , 2005 1/2 August 1918 Vehement, British, V class Destroyer Ariel, British, Acheron class Destroyer Both ships were part of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla that was undertaking a mine laying operation in the Heligoland Bight. Vehement was hit by a mine which caused a magazine explosion blowing off her bow. Attempts to tow her failed and her remains were scuttled. Whilst attempting to leave the minefield that had sunk Vehement Ariel also had her bow blown off by a mine and she sank in less than an hour. Vehement was completed as a minelayer with 60 mines and operated out of Immingham. Sorry I have no casualty details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kin47 Posted 12 July , 2005 Share Posted 12 July , 2005 Hello ARIEL and VEHEMENT were both destroyer minelayers. ARIEL lost 4 officers and 45 ratings and VEHEMENT lost 1 officer and 47 ratings. Neither were lost without surviours. don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carninyj Posted 12 July , 2005 Share Posted 12 July , 2005 One of the HMS Ariel men who died was J/36501 Able Seaman David Foster. Aged 20, he was the eldest son of David & Elizabeth Foster, Ballycraigy, Ballymena. Regards Carninyj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted 13 July , 2005 Share Posted 13 July , 2005 Hi, I have found a little further information for you. It is taken from “The Admiralty Regrets”: 1st-2nd August 1918 HMS VEHEMENT On the 1st August 1918 The 20th Destroyer Fleet sailed from the Humber to lay a minefield at the seaward end of one the German-swept channels through their minefield in the Heligoland Bight. All was going to plan and the force was within 20 miles of its objective when, at 23:47 hours, VEHEMENT struck a mine and exploded her forward magazine and blew off the whole forward section of the ship forward of the forward funnel. VEHEMENT was taken in tow by ABDIEL and after an hour or so, and when all fires had been extinguished, there seemed every hope of saving the ship. However, at 04:00 hours on the 2nd VEHEMENT’s stern suddenly rose into the air and it was clear that the tow could not be continued. After all hull valves had been opened and the survivors taken off, VEHEMENT was sunk by gunfire from TELEMACHUS and VANQUISHER. Disasters at Sea during the Age of Steam: Her official complement was 110. On the 2nd August 1918 HMS ARIEL ARIEL was the second victim of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla’s sortie into the Bight. While trying to manoeuvre clear of the mine field she also struck a mine. Her bows were blown clean away and she sank in less than 50 minutes. Her survivors were rescued by HMS VANOC. Disasters at Sea during the Age of Steam: Her official complement was 172. However, she was more than likely carrying more than this number at the time of her loss. Regards Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Llewellyn Posted 7 February , 2008 Share Posted 7 February , 2008 Hello All, Petty Officer Stoker John William Bonser K/7761 Royal Navy HMS Ariel Death Date 2.8.1918. John is on the Anstey memorial and I'm trying to find any further information on his service record. I've tried a search on the new Naval records available on Ancestry, but I can't get a match. Would anyone have any tips on other place's to look or information for myself. The only information that I have on John is from CWGC and his links to Anstey. Regards. Llew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARABIS Posted 7 February , 2008 Share Posted 7 February , 2008 Hello Llew, You can get his service record on-line from the National Archives for £3-50p. Date of birth 2/4/1892, place of birth Leicester. I'm afraid I don't know how to use the link to his file. Regards, ARABIS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 7 February , 2008 Share Posted 7 February , 2008 For official number searches R.N. don't put in a / or a - between the letter and the numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Llewellyn Posted 7 February , 2008 Share Posted 7 February , 2008 Your time, advise and links have been very much appreciated and have helped me in my quest to research the Anstey Memorial. Regards. Llew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 8 February , 2008 Share Posted 8 February , 2008 Picture of Ariel http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/ache...htm#HMS%20Ariel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Llewellyn Posted 8 February , 2008 Share Posted 8 February , 2008 Thank you per ardua. A image for my records. Regards. Llew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padre Bill Posted 17 October , 2021 Share Posted 17 October , 2021 Signaller William Cobham (aged 20) of Mawdesley, Lancashire, was lost with Ariel. He is commemorated on his family grave at St Peter's Mawdesley along with his elder brothers, Reuben and Edwin, who died with the Australian Forces in 1915 and 1916. His parents also paid for a wooden reredos bearing their names to be erected behind the altar of the church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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