SS Humber explained

SS Humber was a passenger and freight vessel built for the Goole Steam Shipping Company in 1903.[1]

History

She was built in 1903 by A MacMillan in Dumbarton as one of a trio of ships which included SS Nidd and SS Colne. She was launched on 26 August 1903.[2] In 1905 she came under the ownership of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

On 9 June 1910 she was in collision with the German steamer Modena, owned by Robert M Sloman Jr. The Modena sank within 9 minutes, and the crew of the Humber managed to save all but two of the thirty crew members. For their actions, the German Emperor presented Captain Prentice with a gold watch, Chief Officer Sherwood with a pair of binoculars, and Seaman Bennett with £5. .[3]

She sank in the mouth of the River Elbe on 12 February 1912 during a voyage from Goole to Hamburg after a collision in fog with the German vessel Answald.[4] The Answald had hit the Humber amidships, making a hole 20feet long. The crew of the Humber were rescued by the Answald which had only suffered damage to her bows.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Duckworth . Christian Leslie Dyce . Langmuir . Graham Easton . 1968 . Railway and other Steamers . English . Prescot, Lancashire . T. Stephenson and Sons .
  2. News: . New Goole Steamer . Hull Daily Mail . England . 28 August 1903 . 24 October 2015. . subscription.
  3. News: . For Bravery at Sea. German Emperor's Presents for Goole Sailors . Sheffield Daily Telegraph . England . 10 February 1910 . 24 October 2015. . subscription.
  4. News: . Fog catastrophe at Elbe's mouth . Hull Daily Mail . England . 17 February 1912 . 24 October 2015. . subscription .