Grimsby fishermen perfomed a vital and costly role in both world wars clearing Britain's coasts and shipping lanes of enemy mines. Grimsby lost 419 trawlers in total. Admiral Lord Charles Beresford came up with the sweeping system. In 1914, 156 trawlers were to serve but many men were called up to serve in the RN Reserve. 600 of the 700 trawlers in port were requisitioned, crewed by 6000 volunteers. Sweeping began on 8th August 1914 using 50 drifters and 500 men. By 7th September trawlers Argonaut, Lobelia, Harrier, Fortunia, Chameleon, Pegasus, Pollux, Rideo, Rhine, Setti and Valiant had been sunk by German action. On May 4th 1915 seven boats, 6 from Hull, were sunk by submarine. In 1915 the Pall Mall Gazette praised Grimsby's fishermen for their nerves of steel. 40 vessels were lost by May 1915, 300 men dead. By 1918, 298 trawlers had been lost with 398 men. (Source book - The women they left behind).
Article from Scarborough Mercury entitled "NAVAL FUNERAL AT SCARBORO' - MINE DISASTER SEQUEL." The mines laid by the Kolberg after the German raid on Scarborough in December 1914, caused havoc in shipping lanes around Scarborough.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at Scarborough Cemetery of Thomas (Thaddeus) Gilbert, aged 62 years, of Cleethorpes, the victim of a mine disaster off Scarborough on Sunday. He lost his life in the sinking of the HMT Garmo, an armoured trawler, which was employed as a patrol vessel.
The vessel, as previously reported, was proceeding to the assistance of another large trawler which had been mined, and the vessel sank. At the time there was conflicting reports as to the number of the crew who lost their lives. It is understood three besides the deceased - the latter died on being conveyed to the Hospital - were missing. The naval funeral of Wednesday afternoon was an impressive character.
The coffin was enshrouded in a Union Jack, being borne along a carriage drawn by comrades in the Royal Naval Reserve. There was a company of about 50 naval reservists engaged on the mine sweeping vessels. There was also a company of the Yorkshire Hussars, and the Hussars' band rendered an impressive funeral march. The official clergyman were Archdeacon Mackarness and the Rev. E.A. Irwin.
There were several sorrowing relatives, and the service at the graveside was most impressive, the Yorkshire Hussars supplying a firing party. A number of well known Scarborough fishermen attended. Messrs. Tonks and Son were the undertakers.
Crew of 14, 8 survived picked up by the drifter 'Principal'. Those who lost their lives:-
BERRY Thomas W , Able Seaman
GILBERT Thaddeus , Ty/Skipper RNR. Born in 1853 in Grimsby. 1911 census Thaddeus (Fisherman) living in Cleethorpes with wife Caroline. CWGC records Caroline living at 42 Phelp Street, New Cleethorpes. Gilbert, Thaddeus | Friends of DRMRC (deanandmanorrdcemetery.co.uk)
HARE John R , Cook
HARRIS Thomas G , Able Seaman
SPARROW Walter R , Deck Hand
THORNTON Joseph W , 2nd Hand
Garmo GY 1165 built 1900 Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd Hull for Ocean Steam Fishing. 203 ton steam trawler, 34 m long, 7m beam. 3 cylinder triple expansion engine.
11/1914 Requisitioned as auxiliary patrol vessel
20/12/1914, North Sea – One of two hired auxiliaries mined in the Kolberg-laid Scarborough field.
Skipper Thaddeus Gilbert RNR was on patrol rather than mine sweeping
Mined about an hour after trawler Valiant
Turned right over and sank off Scarborough 54.15.12N 00.17.06W
Skipper died of injuries from the explosion and five ratings lost
20/12/1914 Mined off Scarborough whilst in Admiralty Service. Wreck on seabed at 18 metres, 1 mile off old horse rocks near filey. Classed as a war grave.
Below are some typical pictures of converted trawlers into mine sweeper patrol vessels:-
