Seeking any information on a vessel called Silver Beam which was in a collision with another unamed vessel on the 13th February 1945. The body of George Wilcox was recovered from the Silver Beam after this vessel had been salvaged from Llanreath Flats just a couple of miles from where I now live. George does not appear to be listed CWGC? Tks in advance Rgds Oriel Benfro
An elusive ship the Silverbeam as she is not listed in Lloyds, that I can find. However there are copies of her 1945 Log Book & Crew Agreements at Kew at the following link available to order. Detecting your browser settings The Deaths at Sea Register for March 1945 records five men who drowned from the ship as a result of a collision. Two of those are recorded as passengers at the time who had been loaned to the ship for "mooring work"
I think she was a tug and according to this site www.thamestugs.co.uk was requsitioned by the RN in 1940 Built 1901 at Papendrecht, Holland. L72'. B17'. D8.65'. 60.21grt. 70nhp 2cyl compound steam engine by Mordey, Carney Ltd., Newport.. Acquired 1901. Disposed 1938. Scrapped 1965. ON114804. 1901 Delivered to W.H.J. Alexander Ltd., London. 12-1914 Sunk by ship while attending WW1 Pontoon bridge between Tilbury and Gravesend. Salved. 3-10-1938 Sold to Silvertown Services Ltd (£1500), renamed Silverbeam. 2-1940 Req by RN. 1947 Returned to Owners. 1948 Sold to Milford Dock Company, Milford Haven, renamed St. Govans. 1965 Scrapped by C. Purdy, Milford Haven. Regards Hugh
Hugh, That would be the reason I could not find her in the Lloyd's Register as there is a separate register for vessels under 500grt and would also explain the two crew loaned for mooring work.
My gratefull if belated (apologies) thanks for the info, your help has also expanded my over 2,500 military pembrokeshire headstones(1722 to 2004) by another 4. Rgds Oriel Benfro ORIEL a welsh window on a surname
Unfortunately he is not eligible for commemoration by CWGC due to fact that his death was not due to increased war risk. The fact that the vessels collided was not due to military action Chris
Good Evening, Firstly thank you for the information already posted here. Billey Mcgee do you have by any chance have an expanded view of the deceased seamen page that you posted that might show the names of the deceased or any further information? One of those that died was a relative of mine that I am researching for my family tree, and he has been quite elusive up until tonight. I did find one document that led me here (see attached). I'm also wondering if any of you might be able to understand the YC112 reference (apparently a location/ship he was loaned from). Thanks in advance
For Oriel - but they may have this information by now England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Name: George Wilcox Death Age: 47 Birth Date: abt 1898 Registration Date: Jul 1945 [Aug 1945] [Sep 1945] Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep Registration District: Pembroke Inferred County: Pembrokeshire Volume: 11a Page: 937 TD Billy and Hugh are best placed to help you here but using the Silver Beam number throws up a file at The National Archives which may include some details about Frederick Noakes movements - I would suggest waiting for them to comment 114755; 114801; 114804; 114808; 114844; 114903; 114909; 114910; 114912; 114914; 114924;... | The National Archives
Morning Guys, much appreciated for your assistance, its going to be a big help. Ill definitely check out that entry at the National Archives and see what comes up.
Gareth, TD, The file that may help you is the ships official logbook. The file that TD has come up with is for 1942 so is not the one for you. You need BT 381/3216 which is held at Kew for the year 1945 - the year of his death. Check the narrative section of the logbook for any entry of deaths. According to the DAS Register he was an AB and loaned from YC 112 for mooring work which suggests to me he was on possibly a harbour tug by that name but at this stage I cannot find any details. Regards Hugh
I think Oriel Benfro is the same person as Owen Ap Benfro. Same birthday. Same interest. He was the chap who said he had 3 types of cancer awhile back.
First time I have seen this thread so posted the info - see OP hasnt been seen since 2012 but maybe just maybe ................ For Gareth/Hugh Miscellaneous Photo Index Cant find a YC-112 but where these the type pf craft do you think, and I presume they would have been brought over from the US - just a thought TD
I think YC-112 may be some kind of Admiralty Yard Craft. The answer lies on this page somewhere : Royal Navy Support and Harbour vessels of World War 1, based on British Warships, 1914-1919 by Dittmar and Colledge
Good Evening/Morning, I think we may have had a possible breakthrough. It looks like there were two YC ships built in Yorkshire for use at Milford Haven and Devenport. They were dumb mooring lighters which would fit with Frederick being borrowed from them for mooring work.
