Author Topic: Can't read navy record from 1889  (Read 217 times)

Offline Gallicrow

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Can't read navy record from 1889
« on: Thursday 18 February 21 16:55 GMT (UK) »
Hi All.
I've found the navy record of a relative of mine, Charles John Bowdidge. He was born in Q2 1871, though the record says 1870.
I haven't been able to find out very much about this person, and I wonder if he died young. The record seems to say something like "books closed ... ship lost", but I can't really make complete sense of it. I wondered if someone else might have a go at deciphering it?
https://tinyimg.io/i/wyKrC7w.png
Thanks very much,
Jon
Eva family in Devon and Cornwall.
Bowdidge family in Devon and Dorset.

Offline Gallicrow

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Re: Can't read navy record from 1889
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 18 February 21 16:59 GMT (UK) »
Sorry, I just realised that I misread the year of his second and final ship - I read it as 1889, but it is in fact 1887. The wiki entry for ships lost in 1887 contains one for HMS Wasp:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_shipwrecks_in_1887
I suspect that Charles was onboard that when it sank.
Eva family in Devon and Cornwall.
Bowdidge family in Devon and Dorset.

Offline Bookbox

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Re: Can't read navy record from 1889
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 18 February 21 20:00 GMT (UK) »
I agree it reads ... Books closed per A[dmiralty] O[rder] Ship Lost.

Confirmation here ...

http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~pbtyc/genealogy/18-1900/W/05149.html
Wasp, 1887
Type: Composite Gun Boat ; Armament 6
Disposal date or year : 10 Sep 1887
Disposal Details : Never heard of again after leaving Singapore on 10 Sep 1887. . All hands, 80, lost. Lieut. Bryan Jno. Huthwaite Adamson
Propulsion: Screw
Notes:

Offline Gallicrow

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Re: Can't read navy record from 1889
« Reply #3 on: Friday 19 February 21 00:30 GMT (UK) »
Thanks Bookbox, "A O" = "Admiralty Order" is the new thing I have learnt today.

Unfortunately I can't find a list of people who died on HMS Wasp. The Imperial War Museum seem to have had some sort of metal plaque with the names of the crew engraved on it, but they lost it around 2010!
Eva family in Devon and Cornwall.
Bowdidge family in Devon and Dorset.