Barnes, Geoffrey

BORN LINCOLN 1903. SON OF CHARLES & ANNIE BARNES – 171 MALDEN ROAD, COLCHESTER. LOST BY ENEMY ACTION. HULL MERCHANT NAVY RECORDS.
The GITANO was posted missing in January 1919, lost with all 28 hands, presumed mined after passing Flamborough Head on 20/12/1918. The master was engaged chiefly in the general trades to the Baltic and had been running regularly and continuously throughout the Great war. The usual route to Gothenburg is due north-east from the Humber Roads, so she would normally be well out to sea when passing Flamborough Head. This was the second vessel of this name owned by Ellerman Wilson lines, the first by the same builders, 1880 / 1243tons, was scrapped in 1909 by T. W. Ward. A third much larger vessel of 3956 tons was built in 1922 by Goole S.B. & E. Co. and was in service until 1955.
Wreckage reported washed up at Tvedestrand, 30 miles NE of Chistiansand, Norway.
The officers and crew of the GITANO were:- W. J. Decent, Master, Regent House, Ings Road, Hull. – J. W. Barron, chief officer, Sulby, Ings Road, Hull. – J. J. Glenton, Second officer, 51 Glouchester Street, Hull. – F. C. Wilson, Boatswain, 159 Durham Street, Hull. – J. Hedgcock, chief engineer, 24 Clumber street, Hull. – C. A. Kay, Second Engineer, 22 Camden street, Hull. – E. Hatfield, donkeyman, 95 Manchester Street, Hull. – R. Rippon, steward, 65 Exmouth Street, Hull. – P. H. Robinson, assistant steward, Adderbury Grove, Beverley Road, Hull. – A. J. Parker, Wireless Operator, Docking, Kings Lynn. – E. Cresswell, Seaman Gunner, Woodlands, Doncaster. – H. Hardy, Seaman Gunner, Glenburg Cottage, Gubberwick, Lerwick. – T . W. Cook, Seaman Gunner, Albion street, Rowledge, Sussex. – R. Simpkins, Cadet, Westbourne Villas, Hessle. – G. G. Barnes, Cadet, 171 Maldas Road, Colchester. – And twelve seamen and firemen of foreign nationality.