Guest Posted 25 October , 2006 Share Posted 25 October , 2006 I am trying to find out information about my great grandfather. From the information we have on his children's birth certificates he was in the the Royal Naval Reserves in 1920. Prior to this he was on the trawlers and we believe he was on the minesweepers during WW1. one of the documents lists him as a " trimmer" on HMS Vitality ( minesweeper) in 1917. He may have been based at Lowestoft at this time. Does anyone have any information about this ship? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kath Posted 25 October , 2006 Share Posted 25 October , 2006 http://www.naval-history.net/WW1RNLossesM-Z.htm National Archives catalogue search for Vitality: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...;accessmethod=0 Kath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spithead Posted 25 October , 2006 Share Posted 25 October , 2006 Hello Lisa HMS VITALITY was a Scarborough fishing vessel Lanched in 1914, requisitioned by the Admiralty in May and converted to a Minesweeper. Lost by mine off Orford Ness Suffolk 20th October 1917. Displacement 202TG, Admiralty No. 1481, Port Reg. SH 63 Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Lowrey Posted 25 October , 2006 Share Posted 25 October , 2006 The mine Vitality sank one was laid by the small German minelaying submarine UC 4. Best wishes, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historydavid Posted 25 October , 2006 Share Posted 25 October , 2006 Lisa, Welcome to the forum. The trawler Vitality, 202 tons, reqisitioned by the Admiralty, was mined on 20th October 1917 off Orfordness, North Sea on mine laid by the German submarine UC 4. Two men died. Best wishes David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historydavid Posted 25 October , 2006 Share Posted 25 October , 2006 Lisa, a little further info. 20 October 1917 VITALITY (Admiralty trawler no.1481) trawler. Hired 1915; 202 tons; Lieutenant Joseph MacLaren Young RNVR in command. Former Scarborough trawler, employed as a minesweeper. Employed with a group of five other minesweepers clearing a field of mines discovered that morning off Orford Ness. Five mines had already been swept and disposed of, and the group were preparing to recommence operations. At 1.50pm as she was preparing to connect up to her partner, the Craigmore, there were two large explosions under the stern of the Vitality, and she broke up and sank. Two men were killed in the explosion. The mines had been laid by the submarine UC.4 earlier that same day. taken from British Warship Losses in the Ironclad Era 1860-1919 by David Hepper. Best wishes David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milner Posted 26 October , 2006 Share Posted 26 October , 2006 There are records which can be downloaded from Kew. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...;accessmethod=0 Record Summary Scope and content Loss of H.M. Trawler VITALITY Covering dates 1917 Availability Open Document, Open Description, Normal Closure before FOI Act: 30 years Note Extracted from ADM 137/1381 Held by The National Archives, Kew Regards Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 26 October , 2006 Share Posted 26 October , 2006 Thany you all so mucjh for your help. I've been looking for ages for info on this ship, i've obviously been looking in the wrong places! Now you've given me loads to go on. I really appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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