BORN HULL 1885. SON OF ANN & THE LATE ROBERT SMITH, OF HULL, OF 24 LIVERPOOL STREET, HULL (NAVAL RECORDS ADDRESS). A SEAMAN. FIRST HAND, ON THE STEAM TRAWLER ‘ COMMANDER BOYLE’. LOST AT SEA, ON 23/08/1915, AGED 30. HE IS RECORDED AS KILLED ON THE LIVERPOOL STREET SHRINE, HESSLE ROAD, HULL (Hull Daily Mail 30 August 1916)
From the onset of the Great War and also during the Second World War, due to restrictions, in vessel movements and fishing in the North Sea from the Eastern Ports such as Hull, Grimsby, and Aberdeen. Vessels that had not been requisitioned for naval service that continued fishing, were transferred to the west country ports such as Milford Haven and Fleetwood. This was firstly a measure to keep them out of the admiralty shipping lanes and areas, and secondly it was deemed safer. The Commander Boyle barely a month in service and on her second only fishing trip was one such vessel that moved to Fleetwood from Hull. Such was the demand for fish to feed the nation, the trawlers that remained fishing and those of the fishery reserve from 1915 onwards, ventured out into very dangerous waters. Many of the fishing trawlers although unarmed, and having no escort were easy prey, and were attacked and sunk by enemy vessels. Minefields that were not laid or known about on a vessel’s departure, could be laid within a few hours by submarine or surface craft. Like the Commander Boyle many vessels from all ports became victims off the many mines that were laid.
CREW LOST ON COMMANDER BOYLE (H353), mined, 40 miles N. W. of Rattray Head, 23rd August, 1915. BRATTON, William (31), 12 Richmond-ter, Harrow st, Hull. 3rd/Hand HOLDER, Walter (31), 70 Manchester st, Hull. 3rd/Hand SMITH, Robert (30), 24 Liverpool st, Hull. Sparehand
Read more at wrecksite: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?60975
