Ss islesworth 1918

[angela thomas]

Hi guys, looking for some information on SS ISLESWORTH sank in 1918. My grand-uncle was a sailor on this ship. I know it got sunk by a Uboat, and thats it.
My grand-uncles name was William Heatley, he was a casualty of this attack and drowned aged 26.
Would love to find out more about him.
Any information gratefully recieved.

[Gulliver]

Welcome Angela.

s.s .ISLEWORTH(note spelling-same as the London borough) was the second vessel of that name(Official No. 106607) and was a general cargo ship of 2,866 gross tons,launched originally as EVERSLEY in October 1896.


In 1916 she was renamed ISLEWORTH by Watts,Watts & Co,London.
On 30/4/18 she was submarine torpedoed without warning by UC-17 (comdr.Erich Stephan) whilst on a voyage from Bilbao-Middlesbrough with 4,200 tons ore;in position 3 nm SW of Ventnor Pier,Isle of Wight.29 Crew lost.

A book reference from Wrecksite.south_coast_shipwrecks_david_wendes.jpg

Best Regards

Gulliver

[Captain Kong]

SS Isleworth, built by R. Thompson & Sons, Sunderland in 1896 and owned at the time of her loss by Britain SS. Co. Ltd. (Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd.), London, was a British steamer of 2871 tons.

On April 30th, 1918, Isleworth, on a voyage from Bilbao to Middlesbrough with a cargo of ore, was sunk by the German submarine UC-17 (Erich Stephan), 3 miles southwest of Ventnor Pier, Isle of Wight. 29 persons were lost.
.
. SAME AS GULLIVER.
Cheers
Brian

[Doc Vernon]

Single Ship Report for "1106607"



IDNo:
1106607
Year:
1896

Name:
EVERSLEY
Keel:


Type:
Cargo ship
Launch Date:
22.9.96

Flag:
GBR
Date of completion:
10.96


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Tons:
2866
Link:
1520

DWT:

Yard No:
193

Length overall:

Ship Design:


LPP:
97.6
Country of build:
GBR

Beam:
14.0
Builder:
Thompson, R.

Material of build:

Location of yard:
Southwick

Number of
screws/Mchy/
Speed(kn):
1T-


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Naval or paramilitary marking :


A:
*

End:
1918


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Subsequent History:

16 ISLEWORTH

Disposal Data:

sm/t 3nm SW Ventnor Pier 30.4.18 (29*)


http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?1263

[Gulliver]

Info most likely known to you.

HEATLEY, Sailor, WILLIAM. S.S. “Isleworth”. Mercantile Marine.
Drowned as aresult of an attack by an enemy submarine. 30th April 1918. Age 26.
Son of James and Catherine Heatley of 15 Water Street, Taibach
Tower Hill Memorial

Sadly it appears another young man,maybe his friend, from the same village or area was also killed with him.
WILLIAMS, Able Seaman, PHILIP REES. S.S. “Isleworth”. Mercantile Marine
30th April 1918. Age 22.
Son of David and the late Mary Ann Williams of 1 Woodfield Row, Taibach
Tower Hill Memorial.


LINK HERE

[Tony Wilding]

unfortunately i do not have a photo of that ss isleworth, only a wrecked one , tony w.

[wightspirit]

Hello Angela

I've researched the loss of this ship and can help you with further information about the circumstances of loss. I'm the author of the book shown in post No 2 above and the Isleworth is covered in it, though there's quite a lot more information which wasn't included. If you're interested to know more, send me a PM.

Dave W

[Gulliver]

Hello Angela

I've researched the loss of this ship and can help you with further information about the circumstances of loss. I'm the author of the book shown in post No 2 above and the Isleworth is covered in it, though there's quite a lot more information which wasn't included. If you're interested to know more, send me a PM.

Dave W

Hello Dave,I'm the contributor of Post # 2.
As we are mostly ex MN on this site,it would be useful and enlightening to assist us ,and future researchers,by expounding a bit more on the circumstances of her loss,please....or do you expect us all to buy your book!.......,?(if we only all could)

All the Best
Gulliver

[wightspirit]

Hello Gulliver

Yes, please buy the book! It covers mainly steamship losses 1870-1979 off the Isle of Wight, as far south as mid Channel and between 1 and 2 degrees west. I'd better not say any more - don't want to be admonished by the moderators!

Anyway, the Isleworth. The basis of my research centres on documents at the National Archives, specifically these: ADM137/4015: Enemy submarines; particulars of attacks on merchant shipping in home waters. ADM137/1478: English Channel; German submarines, April 1918. ADM53/61976: Extract from the log of HMS Sweeper (Auxiliary Patrol) who picked up survivors. BT110/334: Transcript of Register etc, closure of registry due to ship loss. As has been stated above, Isleworth was on voyage Bilbao for Middlesbrough with 4300 tons of mineral in the form of iron ore. She was heavily laden and had been hugging the coast from Falmouth as she headed up Channel, zig-zagging as she went. The ship was armed with a 12 pounder stern gun, which was manned, though no U-boats were seen. Steaming at her full speed of 8 knots, she was attacked without warning about 1.30pm on 30 April 1918 when in position about 3 miles east of Ventnor, in an area known as St Catherine's Deep. The U-boat was the minelayer UC-17 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Erich Stephan. The torpedo struck the ship on the starboard side by No 3 hatch, and the Master estimated the whole side of the ship was blown away. The Master, named as R K Douglas, survived along with 3 other men; 29 lost their lives. He describes, 'the whole thing happened in about 10 seconds' which may account for such heavy loss of life - there wasn't time to escape. Those lost included the Chief and 2nd Officers, Carpenter, Boatswain, 6 Seamen, 4 Apprentices, 3 Engineers, 1 Donkeyman, 6 Firemen, 2 Stewards, 2 Cooks and the W/T Operator. The Master stated they were either killed by the explosion or drowned. Apart from the Master, the 3rd Officer and 2 Gunners were picked up by HMS Sweeper and landed at Ventnor.

The wreck lies in 70 metres of water in the trench of St Catherine's Deep and is substantial, protected to the immediate south by a wall of rock which rises to 20 metres below the surface. The Isleworth sits upright at the foot of this underwater cliff.

Dave W

[angela thomas]

I would like to thank everyone for the information regarding this ship. This has been a great help to me.
Dave thanks for the detailed information, this was so sad to read but at least i now know what happened.
Big thanks to all.
Angela.