RNLB Emma Constance (ON 693)
 RNLB Emma Constance (ON 693)
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Owner | Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) |
| Builder | Saunders Roe |
| Official Number: | ON 693 |
| Donor: | Legacy of John Mackie of York |
| Station | Aberdeen |
| Cost | £16,000 |
| Laid down | 1926 |
| Christened | 19 September 1927 by Lady Maud Carnegie |
| Fate | Sold out of fleet in 1951. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Barnett-class |
| Type | Motor lifeboat |
| Displacement | 44.5 tons |
| Length | 61 ft (19 m) overall |
| Beam | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Installed power | two RNLI DE6 petrol engines delivering 80Bhp |
| Propulsion | Twin Screw |
| Speed | 9.5 kn (17.6 km/h) |
| Range | 150 miles at full power |
| Crew | 6 |
RNLB Emma Constance (ON 693) was a Barnett-class lifeboat[1] stationed at Aberdeen Lifeboat Station,[2] in the Scottish city of Aberdeen from 1927[3] until August 1951. The lifeboat was designed by James R. Barnett[4] who was a consulting naval architect to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Description
The Emma Constance was a large lifeboat being 61 feet long and 15 feet wide, and was one of only three Barnett class Marks of this size. She had a draught of over 4 feet.[2] These lifeboats were the largest in the RNLI fleet at the time, and over the years has only been surpassed by the 70-foot Clyde-class lifeboats built in the 1960s. The Emma Constance was built in the yards of Saunders Roe of East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, and was laid down in 1926. She was driven through the water by means of twin screws with their power coming from twin RNLI DE6 petrol engines with each engine housed in its own separate watertight compartment.[2] These two compartments were two of a total of fourteen watertight compartments that made up the boat's hull. The lifeboat was able to carry a fuel load of 500 gallons which was distributed between three separate fuel tanks which were at the rear of the engine compartments. There was also an auxiliary petrol engine installed which powered a generator for the lighting the windlass at the front of the boat and a capstan to the back of the boat. Although the Emma Constance had the most up-to-date technology installed, the designers also covered all eventualities by providing a full set of sails[2] in case of motor power loss. Another feature of this 61 foot Barnett-class was a specially designed jumping net which was supported forward between the two side funnels and two stanchions aft. This net allowed potential rescuees to jump from their ship into the net and then be hauled on to the lifeboat.[2]
Christening
The christening of Emma Constance took place on 19 September 1927 in front of a gathered estimated crowd of 12,000 people. A small temporary jetty was erected for the ceremony and the Bandsman of the 4th Gordon Highlanders provided suitable music. The naming was performed by Lady Maude Carnegie. The proceedings ended with a short cruise for the V.I.P.s on the new lifeboat followed by a lifesaving demonstration.[5] The Emma Constance had in fact already been called out on her first service by the time of her christening when she was launched on 21 July to aid a trawler called Venetia which had run aground at Girdleness, although on arrival at the scene her assistance was not needed. On 6 September she also launched to the aid of the trawler Ben Torc.
Service and rescues
First rescue
The trawler Ben Torc was out of Aberdeen[6] and was returning to port when on 6 September she ran into a dense fog accompanied by heavy rain. A south-easterly wind then blew up, causing a heavy breaking sea. Just before 10 pm and only 1 mile from the harbour, the breaking seas turned the 188-ton Ben Torc almost 360°.[7] The skipper, George Ross got the trawler positioned pointing seaward, mustered his crew in the wheelhouse and sounded the siren to alert that his vessel was in distress. The seas were now breaking over the forward part of the trawler, but help was on the way. The coastguards, named Davis and Fenn, who were manning the Gregness station[8] had climbed down the Gregg Ness cliffs to the scene[9] and had managed to get a lifeline across to the trawler at great danger to themselves. The trawlermen were nevertheless not prepared to risk the lifeline and asked that the lifeboat should come to their aid. At 10:27 pm the Emma Constance was launched with Coxswain Tom Sinclair at the helm. When she arrived she used her searchlight to illuminate the scene of the casualty. The Ben Torc was now stricken on the rocky outcrop known as Gregness Point.[10] The area was full of half submerged rocky outcrops, and the lifeboat carefully picked its way to position itself alongside the Ben Torc. The trawler's five crew immediately jumped aboard the lifeboat but the skipper, George Ross fell into the raging sea but was hauled aboard by line, his bowler hat still on his head much to the amusement of everyone. With all six crewmen safely aboard the lifeboat returned to the station arriving back at her moorings by midnight. This ended the lifeboat's second service but her first life saving rescue.
Trawler George Stroud
A notable rescue performed by Emma Constance took place on 25 December 1935, but the rescue was only partly successful, with the loss of three crew men aboard the casualty. The Aberdeen trawler George Stroud[11] was returning to her berth in the harbour when disaster struck. The trawler was struck by an up-swell of sea which washed her starboard off her intended course and flung her against the wall of the North Pier. The trawler was then crashed and battered along the pier until she ran aground 200 yards from the seaward side of the pier. The master and crew all took refuge in the trawler's wheelhouse and waited for help. The North Pier Lifesaving Brigade was soon on the scene and lit up the area using the headlights from a motor car. The LSA soon got lifelines to the stricken vessel by means of rocket lines, but the crew of the trawler would not use the lines preferring to wait to be saved by the lifeboat. The Emma Constance was launched and made her way, in a strong south-easterly wind and heavy seas, to the scene of the incident. Coxswain Tom Sinclair[12] took the lifeboat between the pier and the trawler but crew of the trawler did not respond to the lifeboatmen's calls to jump aboard. Eventually one man made a safe transfer to the lifeboat. Following this a heavy sea broke across the lifeboat throwing her against the piers foundation damaging the lifeboat.[12] This swell also smashed away the wheelhouse of the trawler. Coxswain Sinclair then manoeuvred the lifeboat five more times into the narrow space between the pier wall and the wreck, despite the lifeboat's starboard propeller being fouled.[12] One crewman was spotted in the sea and although the lifeboat managed to get a line to him he disappeared below and was drowned. The lifeboat continued searching for the remaining crewman of the trawler with floodlights. On the remains of the smashed wheelhouse another crewman was seen desperately holding on to the wreckage. He was saved by the efforts of the LSA[12] operating from the pier. Although the tragedy saw the loss of three of the crew Coxswain Thomas Sinclair was awarded a Bronze Medal[12] for his part in the rescue and his determination and skill in taking the Emma Constance five times into the narrow space between the pier wall and the wreck despite the damage sustained to the lifeboat.
SS Fairy
On Saturday 23 January 1937[13][14] the full force of a south-easterly gale was blasting the east coast of Scotland. Fighting its way through the storm was the 249-ton[14] collier Fairy of Kings Lynn bound for Aberdeen from Goole. In the late afternoon of the next day the steamer arrived at the harbour only to find that the raging sea was being driven sideways across the harbour entrance and as a consequence the port was at this time declared shut. On Monday 25 January[14] the Fairy had made little progress and was thirty miles off-shore and the seas were filling the ship. The captain alerted the crew that he was turning back towards the coastline and that they should all start bailing. Nine miles from the coast the Fairy sent a distress signal to a nearby German trawler Hendrick, which immediately took the Fairy in to tow. By the evening the ships had made slow progress to a point just off Donmouth. Coastguards raised the alarm after flares were seen. Emma Constance was launched at 4:38 pm[13] with Coxswain Tom Sinclair at the wheel. When the lifeboat reached the two vessels she hailed the Fairy and asked if all was well and did they needed further assistance. The captain of the Fairy, George Croxford indicated that he would like to stay on his ship for as long as safely possible and so the lifeboat stood by. The Fairy and her towing ship made slow progress and some time later in the evening the towline parted. The Hendrick tried in vain to re-connect the towline but was unable to. At 10 pm the Fairy ran aground onto the sand[15] and the seas began to sweep over the ship. The Emma Constance made an approach toward the stricken ship but the violent seas lifted the body of the lifeboat across the rails of the Fairy. A second large surge lifted her back off the ship and she then made another approach and this time successfully rescued the seven crewmen. During the rescue one of the crew fell into the sea between the ship and the lifeboat, and at great personal risk life-boatman John Masson[5] grabbed hold of the crewman and hauled him aboard the Emma Constance. With the crew now safe the lifeboat asked the nearby ship Montrose that they radio Aberdeen that the rescue had been a success and all were safe and the lifeboat was returning. At this time the Emma Constance was not equipped with radio equipment. Later back at the North Pier a look out was kept for the returning lifeboat. Conditions were as bad as ever and the waiting parties were very concerned as to the whereabouts of the lifeboat. Coxswain Tom Sinclair had wisely ruled out risking a return to Aberdeen harbour with conditions as bad as they were. He headed for the calmer waters of the Moray Firth[5] but was unable to pass his intentions on to Aberdeen. Everyone at Aberdeen feared the worst for the Emma Constance and it was with great relief when word arrived of the safe arrival of the badly damaged lifeboat at Macduff in the Moray Firth on Wednesday 27 4:30 pm.[5] The lifeboat had been out for three days. For his part in the rescue Coxswain Sinclair received an RNLI Silver Medal.[14] Mechanic Alexander Weir and crew member John Masson were awarded Bronze medals[14] and The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum[14] was accorded to Second Coxswain George A Flett, Second Assistant Mechanic James Cowper, Assistant Mechanic Robert J B Esson, John M Noble and Alexander S Masson, in recognition of their meritorious conduct during this rescue.
Record of service and rescues
| RNLB Emma Constance (ON 693)
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Casualty | Wind/weather | Lives lost | Lives saved | Details |
| 1927 | |||||
| 27 July | Venetia | Heavy seas, moderate gale | Stood down when vessel towed to port by tug | ||
| 6 September | Ben Torc | Moderate south-easterly breeze, moderate seas | 6 | Casualty stranded off Gregness, took off six men | |
| 1928 | |||||
| 26/27 February | Isle of White | Medium south-south-west breeze, moderate seas | Casualty stranded off Belhelvie Beach, rescued by Newburgh lifeboat | ||
| 18 March | Agnes H Weatherly | South-south-west breeze | Casualty stranded 1 mile from Donmouth, no assistance required | ||
| 6 June | Regain | Strong south-westerly breeze, rough seas | 8 | Casualty stranded 1 mile off Belhelvie CG station, towed to safety | |
| 25 October | HM Drifter Lunar Bow[16] | South westerly fresh breeze, moderate sea | Stood by, towed to safety by tug | ||
| 25 October | HM Drifter Lunar Bow | South westerly fresh breeze, moderate sea | 2 | Rescued 1 injured naval rating and 1 midshipman | |
| 1929 | |||||
| 10 January | Shetland | South-easterly breeze, rough seas | 15 ft of water in vessel's hold, flooding taken under control | ||
| 29 November | Wild Rose | South-easterly strong breeze, rough seas | Vessel stranded on rocks, nine rescued from beach | ||
| 1930 | |||||
| 22 January | John G Watson | South westerly strong breeze, rough seas | Stranded 6½ miles north of Aberdeen, stood by, rescue achieved by No. 2 lifeboat | ||
| 1931 | |||||
| 7 January | St Merryn | Westerly light breeze, smooth seas | Stranded and re-floated without the aid of lifeboat | ||
| 9 April | Rightway | South westerly moderate breeze, moderate seas | Vessel stranded off Collieston CG station, crew rescued by LSA | ||
| 2 June | Loyal Friend | Northerly moderate breeze, moderate seas | Lifeboat stood by following vessel's collision with North Pier | ||
| 3 December | Nairn | South easterly whole gale, very heavy seas | Lifeboat recalled, not required | ||
| 1932 | |||||
| 14 August | Whitehills lifeboat | Smooth sea | Towed broken down lifeboat back to port | ||
| 1933 | |||||
| 1 January | Trawler Venetia | Southerly strong gale, very heavy seas | 9 | Vessel stranded 3 miles north of Stonehaven,[17][18] vessel total loss with all hands | |
| 18 January | Ben Screel | Variable light breeze, heavy seas | Vessel stranded off Girdleness, lifeboat stood by, crew rescued from shore | ||
| 19 January | General Birdwood | Northerly moderate breeze, moderate seas | Escorted Vessel | ||
| 4 April | Lifeboat launched to false alarm | Lifeboat recalled after launch | |||
| 3 July | Cretan of Glasgow | Calm and smooth seas | Lifeboat not required, vessel towed by pilot tug | ||
| 20/21 October | Fair Isle | South-easterly fresh breeze, rough seas | Vessel with broken rudder, towed by other vessel. lifeboat escorted vessel back to Aberdeen | ||
| 23/24 October | Granero of Drammen | North-easterly moderate gale, rough seas | 7 | Vessel stranded at Cawton Ness, crew saved by lifeboat and the LSA | |
| 29 December | Strathleven of Aberdeen | South-easterly moderate breeze, very heavy seas | Damaged steering gear, towed in by lifeboat, stood by to other vessels | ||
| 1934 | |||||
| 1 January | Fishing vessels of Gourdon & Stonehaven | Lifeboat on stand-by | |||
| 20 December | Unknown trawler | Variable light wind, smooth seas | Search for vessel, nothing found | ||
| 1935 | |||||
| 14 February | Local fishing boats | Northerly moderate gale | Search of vessels caught in gale, all safe | ||
| 2 February | Eldorado | South-south-easterly gale, heavy seas | Stood by, LSA safely landed crew north of Donmouth | ||
| 24 June | Balmoral Castle of Aberdeen | Northerly moderate (fog), moderate seas | Vessel stranded, refloated on high tide | ||
| 9 September | Ebor Abbey of Aberdeen | West-south-westerly moderate breeze, moderate seas | Lifeboat recalled, rescue by others | ||
| 5 November | fishing vessels Procure & Quest of Banff | South-south-easterly moderate breeze, heavy seas | Escorted back to port | ||
| 25 December | George Stroud of Aberdeen | South-easterly strong breeze, heavy seas | 3 | 1 | Grounded against North Pier, 1 taken off vessel by lifeboat, 1 taken off by LSA |
| 31 December | Strathairlie of Aberdeen | Light variable winds, slight swell | Vessel with broken rudder, lifeboat stood by | ||
| 1936 | |||||
| 17 January | WM Porter Aberdeen pilot cutter | East-north-easterly fresh breeze, rough seas | 3 | Pilots fouled rudder on the wreck of George Stroud. Three taken off by lifeboat | |
| 21 January | Local fishing boats | East-south-easterly moderate gale, rough seas | Stood by until vessels safely in port | ||
| 6 February | Pretoria of Aberdeen | South-westerly moderate gale, rough seas | vessel involved in collision, lifeboat assistance not required | ||
| 23 February | Ocean Gift of Banff | East-south-easterly strong gale, very heavy seas | Adrift in harbour, lifeboat crew mustered but no launch | ||
| 16 December | Margaret & Frances of Cockenzie | South-south-westerly strong gale, very heavy seas | 2 | Vessel stranded off Belhelvie CG station, vessel found but a total loss | |
| 1937 | |||||
| 21/22 January | Strathebrie of Aberdeen | South-easterly strong gale, very heavy seas | Vessel taken into tow | ||
| 23 January | Utility of Aberdeen | South-easterly strong gale, strong flood | vessel hung on stern moorings, vessel towed to fishmarket | ||
| 26 January | Fairy of Kings Lynn | South-easterly gale, very heavy seas | 7 | See description Service and rescues section | |
| 16 April | Paul Rykens of Aberdeen | Calm, dense fog | Vessel stranded, re-floated under own power | ||
| RNLB J & W (ON 722), Relief (Watson-class) | |||||
| 30 December | Calvinia of Aberdeen | North-north-westerly moderate breeze | vessel lost prop, search aborted after vessel was towed into Aberdeen by others | ||
| 1938 | |||||
| 25 August | Carry On | Variable fog banks, slight swell | Vessel aground, towed off by lifeboat | ||
| 4 December | Branch of Montrose | Southerly moderate gale, rough seas | Reported in difficulties, search carried out, vessel towed to port by others | ||
| 1939 | |||||
| 22 January | Unknown vessel reported capsized | East-south-easterly slight breeze, slight seas | Search carried out but nothing found | ||
| World War II | |||||
| 15 September | Vessel reported torpedoed | North easterly moderate breeze | Launched to scene, recalled, not required | ||
| 10 October | Solstad of Oslo | South-easterly storm. heavy seas | Search carried out, vessel towed to port by others | ||
| 31 October | Cairnmona[19] of Newcastle upon Tyne | Easterly light to moderate breeze, rough seas | Vessel torpedoed off Rattray Head by U-13,[20] survivors landed by others | ||
| 12 December | Cimbria of Copenhagen | Crew mustered only, no launch | |||
| 18 December | Trinity NB[21] of Aberdeen | West-south-westerly, moderate seas | 3 | Vessel reported bombed, search carried out, no trace found, survivors picked up by Danish schooner Start | |
| 1940 | |||||
| 9 January | Gowrie[22] of Dundee | vessel sunk by enemy aircraft four miles east of Stonehaven, crew rescued by others, search carried out for wreckage but nothing found | |||
| 9 January | Feddy[23] of Copenhagen | South-south-westerly fresh breeze | 2 | Vessel bombed and on fire, crew members taken off, escorted vessel. | |
| 9 January | Ivan Kondrup[23] of Copenhagen | South-south-westerly fresh breeze | 1 | Vessel bombed. reached port under own steam, one crewman missing | |
| 10 January | Feddy[23] of Copenhagen | South-south-westerly light breeze | vessel towed into Aberdeen | ||
| 9 February | Lily of Aberdeen | South-westerly wind, moderate swell | 3 | Vessel disabled, found by lifeboat and taken into tow | |
| 3 March | Unknown bombed vessel reported | North-westerly moderate breeze, slight seas | Search carried out but nothing found | ||
| 18 July | Shipping convoys attacked off Aberdeen on 17 July[24] | Lifeboat and crew on standby at the station | |||
| 20 October | Conakrain[25] of Freetown | East-south-easterly breeze, rough seas | Torpedo damaged in air attack of Girdleness,[26] taken into tow by tug, escorted by lifeboat | ||
| 21 October | Conakrain[25] of Freetown | 2 | Two taken off vessel in Aberdeen bay in heavy weather | ||
| 23 October | Conakrain[25] of Freetown | Easterly moderate gale, moderate seas | 23 | Crewmen taken off vessel at request of the Royal Navy | |
| 1941 | |||||
| 3 April | Cairnie | East-south-easterly force 7 to 8, very heavy seas | 7 | Vessel bombed and in distress, Aberdeen harbour entrance, steering damaged and grounded[27] | |
| 24 July | Unknown vessel | Calm, smooth seas | search carried out, nothing found | ||
| 8 August | Unknown vessel | lifeboat on stand-by only | |||
| 2 October | RAF aircraft | Westerly force 4, moderate seas | ditched pilot rescued by others, lifeboat recalled | ||
| 1942 | |||||
| 13 March | Unknown vessel | South-south-westerly force 6, heavy seas | No record kept of launch | ||
| 3 March | HMS Hyderabad and the tug Bruno | Southerly force 3 to 4, smooth seas | Both vessels grounded, lifeboat towed of tug, corvette refloated herself | ||
| 4 April | Bon Accord of Aberdeen | No record kept of the launch | |||
| 1943 | |||||
| 2 April | Unknown vessel | No record kept of the launch | |||
| 7 April | schooner Else of Thisted, Denmark | North force 6 to 9, very rough seas | Vessel towed into port with lifeboat escorting | ||
| 29 November | Trevorian of St Ives | Smooth seas | No record kept of the launch | ||
| 1944 | |||||
| 23 October | Keilehaven of Rotterdam | South-easterly breeze force 3 to 4, growing swells | 40 | Crew abandoned ship to US ship, but some returned to vessel by lifeboat | |
| 1945 | |||||
| 10/11 April | Albert Victor of Vága | Easterly breeze force 3 to 4, breaking surf | 9 | run aground, lifeboat took off crew and pilot | |
| 13 April | Maria of IJmuiden | Light easterly breeze | Lifeboat stood by | ||
| RNLB John Russel (ON 699) Relief (Watson-class) | |||||
| 30 July | May Lily of Peterhead | Slight seas | Vessel with engine failure, lifeboat made search, vessel made port under own power | ||
| 19 October | HM Motor Fishing Vessel 1172 | South-south-easterly breeze force 3 to 5, moderate to rough seas | 5 | Vessel disabled, towed into Aberdeen by lifeboat | |
| 19 December | T L Devlin of Granton | Southerly breeze force 5 to 7 | Escorted vessel to port | ||
| 21 December | Sparkling Star of Peterhead | Light southerly wind, smooth seas | Fouled prop, self-cleared, lifeboat stood down | ||
| 1946 | |||||
| 20 January | Spurs of Grimsby | vessel aground in navigation channel, lifeboat damaged whilst standing by | |||
| 7 August | Harmonious II of Aberdeen | South-westerly breeze force 2 to 3, light to moderate seas | 6 | Broken down vessel, towed into port | |
| 1947 | |||||
| 20 October | Harvest Gleaner of Buckie | South-south-westerly breeze force 5, moderate seas | Towed into port by others, lifeboat stood down | ||
| 1948 | |||||
| 5 February | Northman of Aberdeen | Southerly breeze force 4 to 6 | Both vessel and lifeboat grounded, pulled off by tug | ||
| 1949 | |||||
| 13 January | Welbeckof Grimsby | South-westerly breeze force 2, smooth to slight seas | Lifeboat then tug towed vessel off | ||
| 23 September | Alirmay of Aberdeen | South-easterly breeze force 3 to 4 | Lifeboat recalled, not required | ||
| 24 September | Brightside | Easterly breeze force 1 to 2, slight seas | Stranded vessel, crew landed by others, lifeboat recalled | ||
| 1950 | |||||
| 19 September | Saga of Aberdeen | South-south-easterly force 8 to 9, very high seas | Vessel with engine failure, Aberdeen lifeboat recalled | ||
| 19 September | Saga of Aberdeen | South-south-easterly force 8 to 9, very high seas | Second launch to vessel towed by Peterhead lifeboat, Aberdeen lifeboat escorted | ||
| 26 September | Lyndburn of Aberdeen | North-easterly force 4, rough seas | 1 | Vessel grounded, lifeboat takes off 1 | |
| 1951 | |||||
| 14 February | Yawl Glen of Aberdeen | South-easterly force 3 to 4, slight seas | 2 | Vessel broken down, towed into port by lifeboat | |
Retirement
On 14 January 1951 Emma Constance performed her last launch. She went to assist the yawl Glen of Aberdeen which had broken down 1 nautical mile east-north-east of Gregness. The lifeboat took the vessel into tow and returned to Aberdeen. In August 1951 the Emma Constance was retired from Aberdeen. Her replacement was a 52 ft Barnett-class lifeboat called RNLB Hilton Briggs (ON 889). Following her retirement the Emma Constance was sold out of the RNLI fleet and was renamed several times becoming first the Southern Cross followed by Achilleus and then Griselda.
References
- ^ Ships for All, by Bowen, Frank C, published by Ward, Lock & Co., Ltd, London and Melbourne: Second Edition
- ^ a b c d e Title: The Lifeline – The History of the Aberdeen Lifeboat Station 1925 - 1985. Author: Trewren, Norman. Publisher: 1985 N. Trewren. Work: Chapter 2, RNLB Emma Constance, pages 9–15. ISBN 0 9510738 0 X
- ^ Heroes All!, the story of the RNLI, by Beilby, Alec: published by Patrick Stephens Ltd (1992): Work: Chapter 5, 100 Years On, page 44. ISBN 1-85260-419-0
- ^ Rescue at Sea: By Evans, Clayton: Published by Conway (2003): ISBN 0-85177-934-4
- ^ a b c d Title: The Lifeline – The History of the Aberdeen Lifeboat Station 1925 - 1985. Author: Trewren, Norman. Publisher: 1985 N. Trewren. Work: Chapter 2, RNLB Emma Constance Naming, pages 10–15. ISBN 0 9510738 0 X
- ^ "Aberdeen Ships". Aberdeen Built Ships – Ben Torc. www.aberdeenships.com. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
- ^ Shipwrecks of the North of Scotland. Author: Baird, R N. Publisher: Birlinn Ltd; Ill edition (13 Oct 2003). Work: The Wreck of the Ben Torc, page 11. ISBN 978-1841582337
- ^ "Canmore – Gregness Coastguard Station". Details and Information of the CG station at Gregness. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
- ^ Shipwreck Index of the British Isles: Vol 4 Scotland. Author: Larn, Richard. Larn, Bridget. Publisher: Lloyds Register of Shipping (31 Dec 1998). Work:The Wreck of the Ben Torc – Location. ISBN 978 1900839013
- ^ "Ben Torc – Greg ness North Sea". Details and Information of the wreck site of the Ben Torc at Gregness. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
- ^ "Aberdeen Ship – George Stroud". Ship Details of the George Stroud. www.aberdeenships.com. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Lifeboat Gallantry – RNLI Medals and how they were won. Author: Cox, Barry. Publisher:Spink & Son Ltd and the RNLI. Work: Page 268, SINCLAIR, Thomas Marshall. ISBN 0 907605 89 3
- ^ a b Title: The Lifeline – The History of the Aberdeen Lifeboat Station 1925 - 1985. Author: Trewren, Norman. Publisher: 1985 N. Trewren. Work: Chapter 2, The Thirties, Page 32 – 15.[clarification needed] ISBN 0 9510738 0 X
- ^ a b c d e f Lifeboat Gallantry – RNLI Medals and how they were won. Author: Cox, Barry. Publisher: Spink & Son Ltd and the RNLI. Work: Page 270, SINCLAIR, Thomas Marshall, WEIR Alexander, MASSON, John. ISBN 0 907605 89 3
- ^ "SS Fairy – Balmedie Aberdeen". Details and Information of the wreck site of the Kings Lynn Collier Fairy. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^ "The Glasgow Herald – Scottish news". Newspaper report of the HM Drifter Lunar Bow. Glasgow Herald – google.com/Newspapers. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^ "FV Venetia (A560) (+1932)". Details of the fishing vessel Venetia and its wreck location. www.wrecksite. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ "Venetia – Holehead - North Sea". Details and Information of the wreck site of the Trawler Venetia. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ "Cairnmona – British steamship". Description and details of the ship and its loss. uboat.net. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Ships hit by U13". WWII U-boat Successes - Ships hit by U-13. uboat.net. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Trinity NB (1914 - 1939)". Details of the fishing vessel Trinity NB and its wreck location. www.wrecksite. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Gowrie Cargo ship (1909 - 1940)". Details of the cargo ship Gowrie and its wreck location. www.wrecksite. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ a b c "German attacks on Danish ships". Newspaper report on attacks to Danish shipping in 1940. Trove – Digitalized Newspapers. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Battle of Britain – Timeline". Reference to the Convoy attack of 17 July 1940. The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Douglas Bader House, Horcott Hill, Fairford, Gloucestershire, GL7 4RB, UK. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ a b c "Ships Histories – Conakrian". Description and details of the SS Conakrian. SEAtheShips – Ship Histories. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day – Naval Events, October 1940 (Part 2 of 2) Tuesday 15th - Thursday 31st". Section detailing Sunday 20 October – reference to SS Conakrian. Naval-History.Net. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Cairnie Cargo Ship (1891 – 1940)". Details of the cargo ship Cairnie and its wreck location. www.wrecksite. Retrieved 21 October 2013.