jack Posted 23 October , 2003 Share Posted 23 October , 2003 My grandfather K16869 Leading Stoker William Sewell served mainly on Cruisers before, during and after the the war but, during 1917-18 he was on the Depot Ship H.M.S. HECLA. What was her purpose ? Where did she serve during those years ? Was she attached to a specific squadron or flotilla ? What happened to her ? jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 23 October , 2003 Share Posted 23 October , 2003 HMS Hecla, (ex-"British Crown" ) launched 1878, 6,400 tons, 4-12 pdr guns. Originally torpedo depot ship and played important role in developing British torpedo forces she became a Destroyer Depot ship. For a chronological history see: http://www.cwparish.demon.co.uk/wparish/hms-hecla.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris basey Posted 2 November , 2003 Share Posted 2 November , 2003 Jack HMS Hecla was at Lough Swilly, County Donegal, Ireland as a Depot Ship certainly for the period 6th April 1918 to 17th April 1918. I suspect she was based there much longer as the Lough is very deep and was used by the Atlantic Fleet as a haven. My Grandfather and two other seamen were drowned in the Lough on 7th April 1918 when their ship (HMS Nicator) arrived. From the log of the Hecla I was able to see the arrangements for the burial party, the funeral party and the firing party - all of which came from the Hecla. Unfortunately I cannot find my note with the exact PRO(NA) reference but logs of HM Ships are generally in ADM53 - if you are able to get there it is easily located. It seems that the Hecla may have been stationed on the western side of the lough as my Grandfather is buried in Rathmullan churchyard which is to the west - a second is buried on 'the other side of the lough' in the churchyard of Lower Fahan Churchyard. This is described (CWGC) as being in the main street of Buncara "which was a Naval Base during the Great War". Sadly the body of the third man was never found and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Bodies of men from HMS Racoon and HMS Magic are also buried at Rathmullan which probably indicates that the lough was quite an important base. Have you traced your Grandfather's personal record? When I found mine you could still look up the entry in the original book. I believe that they have now been filmed. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest larpoll Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 Hi Jack, My great grandfather was Stoker 1st Class James William Pope on HMS Hecla between Nov 1914 and 19 April 1916 . From there he went to HMS Vivid for a year via HMS Diligence. It is suspected he was injured. He died in 1921 - he was invalided from the RN in 1919. Prior to WW1 he was a Stoker aboard the HMS Algerine at the Taku Forts during the Boxer Rebellion - I am lucky enough to have his China Medal with the Taku clasp. If you have found out any more information regarding HMS Hecla I would be grateful if you could share it. Sadly the family have no photographs of James William Pope and I am slowly trying to piece together his naval career. Regards Lara My grandfather K16869 Leading Stoker William Sewell served mainly on Cruisers before, during and after the the war but, during 1917-18 he was on the Depot Ship H.M.S. HECLA. What was her purpose ? Where did she serve during those years ? Was she attached to a specific squadron or flotilla ? What happened to her ? jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historydavid Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 The HECLA was rebuilt in 1912 as 5,600 tons with 4x4" guns. Best wishes David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted 3 May , 2008 Share Posted 3 May , 2008 Hi all, Here is all I can tell you about Hecla: Hecla, HMS (CH 6) 1912 - Rebuilt 1914 - Took part in rescue of passengers and crew of TSS California when she went aground on Tory Island 1926 - Sold for breaking-up at Preston. Thought I had a picture somewhere, but I was mistaken. Hope this helps. -Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ionia Posted 3 May , 2008 Share Posted 3 May , 2008 HMS HECLA (ex-"British Crown") At Buncrana September 1917 to December 1918 as Depot Ship for 2nd Destroyer Flotilla and Auxilliary Patrol. Prior to that had been at Chatham as Depot Ship 7th Submarine Flot. from 6/16. Back to Chatham 12/18. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halifax Posted 3 May , 2008 Share Posted 3 May , 2008 Try this link for a photograph of the Hecla; http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/depot_ships.htm Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tim Child Posted 12 May , 2009 Share Posted 12 May , 2009 My grandfather K16869 Leading Stoker William Sewell served mainly on Cruisers before, during and after the the war but, during 1917-18 he was on the Depot Ship H.M.S. HECLA. What was her purpose ? Where did she serve during those years ? Was she attached to a specific squadron or flotilla ? What happened to her ? jack HMS Hecla was a base ship and few actually served on her. When looking at the Naval records and base ships such as HMS Hecla and HMS Blake you should look for a name in brackets after the base ship. This will be the destroyer or patrol vessel the sailor actually served on. My relative Harry Hale had a base of HMS Hecles but he was actaully on HMS Fortune. She was sunk at the Battle of Jutland with the loss of 67 men. I have seen that there was only one survior which seems a little strange as her complimnet was 75. Anyhow he survived so if there was just one he was it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melliget Posted 12 May , 2009 Share Posted 12 May , 2009 .. My relative Harry Hale had a base of HMS Hecles but he was actaully on HMS Fortune. She was sunk at the Battle of Jutland with the loss of 67 men. I have seen that there was only one survior which seems a little strange as her complimnet was 75. Anyhow he survived so if there was just one he was it. Tim. According to figures I have, there was a total of 83 souls on HMS Fortune when sunk 01/06/1916: 66 were killed and there were 17 survivors. Here's a list of the latter: CLIFFORD, Thomas William, L/Seaman, 231328, Saved DAVIES, Thomas, Stoker P.O., 289400, Saved GLEWES, Thomas Henry, Stoker 1c, 301394, Saved HALE, Harry, Stoker 1c, K 19419, Saved HANNANT, Henry, Chief Stoker, 289748, Saved KEAN, James, L/Seaman, 213320, Saved KEMPSELL, Frederick Nelson, A.B., SS 4103, Saved LANGRISH, Percy James, L/Stoker, 309994, Saved MAY, Henry, Stoker P.O., 306922, Saved NEWMAN, Arthur George, Stoker, K26588, Wounded slightly PERRY, Percy Walter, A.B., J 11486, Saved PORTER, Ernest Edward, A.B., J 15699, Wounded SIMMONDS, James Arthur, A.B., J 9848, Saved SIMMONDS, Sidney Albert, P.O., 180242, Saved TOCHER, Edward, A.B., J 11057, Saved WARR, Arthur, A.B., 234879, Saved WHALL, William Henry, A.B., J 8352, Saved regards, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Webb Posted 13 May , 2009 Share Posted 13 May , 2009 Furtune was hit by shells from WESTFALEN, my great uncle Stoker Rainey perished Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Hesketh Posted 23 August , 2010 Share Posted 23 August , 2010 Posted on behalf of 'maverick51'. [Click on 'Add Reply' in the bottom right corner, rather than 'Report', to post a message] "My Grandfather was captain of the Hecla, 1917-1921, based at Buncrannan, he raise the gold ship, also took part in the board of enquiry into the loss of HMS Destroyer and resultant Court Marshal. He was awarded DSO, DSC, Coix de Guirre." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 25 April , 2019 Share Posted 25 April , 2019 This is an old thread but was wondering if anyone was still following it. My step grandfather was also posted to HMS Hecla ( Faulknor). I have found a photo of stokers from around 1914-1916 which is captioned as HMS Hecla. Unfortunately i am unable to name any of the crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin DavidOwen Posted 25 April , 2019 Admin Share Posted 25 April , 2019 2 hours ago, garyclarke300 said: This is an old thread but was wondering if anyone was still following it. My step grandfather was also posted to HMS Hecla ( Faulknor). I have found a photo of stokers from around 1914-1916 which is captioned as HMS Hecla. Unfortunately i am unable to name any of the crew. Welcome to the forum, Gary. No-one is actively following this thread at the moment but if you would like to post the photo either here or in a new thread I am sure it will be welcomed with interest. The Hecla's logs are at the National Archives but cannot be downloaded so a visit would be necessary to view them if you are interested. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted 26 April , 2019 Share Posted 26 April , 2019 I for one would be most interested in seeing the photograph if you are able to share it here. Welcome to the Forum! Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 8 November , 2020 Share Posted 8 November , 2020 On 25/04/2019 at 13:42, Guest said: My step grandfather was also posted to HMS Hecla ( Faulknor). I have found a photo of stokers from around 1914-1916 which is captioned as HMS Hecla. Unfortunately i am unable to name any of the crew. I believe this may be the photo in question ( stokers HMS Hecla) Photo source Ipernity.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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