An article from Scarborough Pictorial 30th December 1914 entitled "MORE LIVES LOST: CHRISTMAS DAY TRAGEDY." It describes the sinking of a mine sweeper caused by a mine left by the Kolberg - which laid mines during the German bombardment of Scarborough.
The tragedy of the war was brought home to Scarborough again on Christmas Day, when another mine sweeper was sunk off the town, the No. 57 Night Hawk going down three and a half miles east, involving, unfortunately, the loss of six lives.
It was shortly before noon when the ship struck a mine, a terrific explosion occurring, the effects of which will never be known, as the Night Hawk went down in ten seconds. The crew had only just time to leap into the water. Indeed some of them were literally blown clean out of the ship. The survivors were picked up by boats launched from companion vessels engaged in this dangerous occupation.
Five were missing, and these were presumably drowned. Eight were picked up, but the Chief Engineer, Alfred Chappell (28), of Cleethorpes, was dead before being landed at Scarborough. The seven survivors were landed shortly after one o'clock and were admitted to the Hospital about two o'clock in the afternoon. Happily, they had not met with injury, but were suffering from severe shock and immersion. They are now doing well.
Their names are:-
- W.E. Senior, sub-lieut., R.N.R.
- Harry Evans, Skipper,
- John J. Alston,
- W.H. Crosman,
- Jas Burnett,
- Fredk. Brown,
- Feelix Bee
All are from the Grimsby district, to which the ship belonged.
The body of Chappell was conveyed to the mortuary, and the Coroner is considering whether an inquest should be held
