SS ‘DIDO’ sunk 26th June 1916

 

‘DIDO’  was a British Merchant steamer of 4,769grt. On the 26th February 1916 when on route from Hull for India, she hit a mine, when 4 miles NNE from Spurn Light Vessel, North Sea. 28 lives were lost, including Master. Owned by Wilson Line, Hull. 

While lying at anchor at 6.15 a.m. during gale force winds and heavy snow squalls, a violent explosion occurred on the port side of the vessel. The chief officer and two crew attempted to lower a boat to inspect the damage but this broke adrift, as it reached the water. In the heavy weather the three men were unable to row back to the ship, which they soon lost sight of in the squall. Fortunately, the boat was soon picked up by the Belgian s.s. MARTHA on her way to the DIDO, in an attempt to pick up those of her crew who were now in the water. Due to the extreme cold and exhaustion they were unable to seize the ropes and life belts thrown to them. The MARTHA also attempted to lower a lifeboat, but were unable due to the heavy sea. The Belgian steamer stood by the DIDO until she sank at 7.20 a.m. then proceeded to Hull. The ship’s papers sank with with the vessel along with a stowaway passenger.

Photograph of the Wilson line ship the SS Dido. The Dido was sunk by a German mine at the mouth of the Humber on 25 February 1916LOST CREW – SS DIDO 

 

  1. ALTOFT, JOHN WILLIAM (25), Second Mate, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of James William and Ada Altoft, of 3, Albert Avenue, Wellsted St., Hull, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
  2. BOSTED, H (49), Able Seaman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Born in Norway, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  3. BURKHALTER, ERNEST (29), Steward, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Born in Switzerland, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
  4. BYRNE, MICHAEL (60), Able Seaman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Born at Dundalk, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
  5. COBBY, HAROLD (22), Fourth Engineer Officer, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Albert and Annie Isabella Cobby, of 17, Plane St., Hull. Born at Hull, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  6. DANN, DUDLEY ST. AUBYN (20), Engineer’s Steward, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Alfred and Ellen Maria Dann, of 4, Saplin St., Manningham, Bradford. Born at Lincoln, Memorial: Bradford (Scholemoor) Cemetery
  7. GOLD, S (19), Assistant Steward, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, (served as GILBERT), Son of Jacob and Sarah Gold, of 9, Philip St., Back Church Lane, Whitechapel, London. Born in London, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
  8. HABBERSHAW, THOMAS ELTON (23), Seaman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Louise F. Habbershaw, of 20, Chesnut Avenue, Queen’s Rd., Hull, Memorial: Hull Northern Cemetery
  9. HARDCASTLE, WILLIAM JOHN (29), Third Engineer, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of William John and Harriet Hardcastle (nee Baxter), of 11, Marlowe St., Hull. Born at Whitby, Memorial: Hull (Hedon Road) Cemetery
  10. KARLSON, GUSTAV (36), Fireman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Ulicktor Ulicklund, of Soderby, Liljendal, Finland, Memorial:Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery
  11. LARSEN, JULIUS (52), Fireman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of the late Jens and Margarita Larsen; husband of Johanne Larsen (nee Johnsen), of 15, Kimberley St., Hull. Born at Nyborg, Denmark, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
  12. LEES, JAMES (24), Able Seaman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Born at Calcutta, Memorial: Hull (Hedon Road) Cemetery
  13. MARTIN, WILLIAM HENRY (58), Ship’s Cook, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Sarah Jane and the late Henry Martin; husband of Eliza Ann Martin (nee Fowler), of 139, Campbell St., Hull, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  14. MOSS, WILLIAM HENRY (20), Assistant Cook, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of William Henry and Charlotte Moss, of 5, Villa Terrace, Walker St., Hull, Memorial: Hull (Hedon Road) Cemetery
  15. RANDS, CHARLES EDWIN (32), Donkeyman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of the late Henry Rands; husband of Annie Elizabeth Rands (nee Hazard), of 5, Wellesley Avenue, Middleburg St., Hull. Born at Hull, Memorial: Hull (Hedon Road) Cemetery
  16. ROBINSON, HENRY ROBERT (58), Chief Engineer, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Husband of Sarah Alice Robinson, of 15, Washington St., Hull. Born at Caistor, Lincs, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
  17. ROSINDALE, HENRY (19), Carpenter, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Henry and Kate Rosindale; husband of Sarah Ann Rosindale (nee Taylor), of 64, Princes Rd., Hull. Born at Hull, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  18. SKIPWORTH, GEORGE (46), Able Seaman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Jane and the late Henry Skipworth; husband of Frances Elizabeth Skipworth (nee Ainsworth), of 6, Chatham Place, Adelaide St., Hull. Born at Wakefield, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  19. SMITH, JOHN (30), Fireman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Mary and the late Henry Smith; husband of Gertrude Crowson Smith (nee Lidster), of 1, Ann’s Place, Francis St., Hull. Born at Hull, Memorial: Hull (Hedon Road) Cemetery
  20. TAYLOR, J R (53), Master, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of George Brent Taylor; husband of Amy Clara Taylor, of 9, Heathcole St., Newland, Hull, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  21. THAXTER, WALTER EDWARD (32), Fireman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Walter James and Dorcas Thaxter; husband of Norah Thaxter (nee Clarke), of 3, Watts Avenue, Rochester, Kent. Born at Reedham, Norfolk, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
  22. THORNLEY, JOHN (62), Boatswain, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Jonas and Eliza Thornley; Husband of Anna Thornley, of 16, Harrow St., Hull, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  23. VAN DYK, BASTIAN (34), Fireman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Husband of Annie Elizabeth Van Dyk (nee Lidster), of 73, Alicia St., Hull, Yorks. Born at Rotterdam, Holland, Memorial: Hull (Hedon Road) Cemetery
  24. VINSON, EDGAR (22), Third Mate, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Harry and Mary Vinson (nee Vaughan), of 5, Mareham Avenue, Ena St., Hull. Born at Hull, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  25. WAITES, WILLIAM ARTHUR (47), Second Engineer, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of the Late Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Waites, of Leeds; Husband of Jane Catherine Waites, of 10, Ripon Villas, Brunswick Ave. Hull, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  26. WESTERLUND, ALFRED (37), Fireman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Born in Sweden, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery
  27. WILLIAMS, GEORGE (22), Able Seaman, S.S. Dido, †26/02/1916, Son of Mr. and Mrs. Williams, of 14, Beaumont St., Wellsted St., Hull. Born at Hull, Memorial: Hull Western Cemetery

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