RNR SERVICE RECORDS remarks (2)

[AlanBoyd]

from shippingandshipbuilding.uk

Manzanita 06/09/1916 wrecked on Ugenti Rocks in the Adriatic Sea.

I can’t find anything in newspapers about this wreck.

[ryanh315]

Thats great, thanks!

Was John injured?

many thanks 

[Andy J2022]

It looks like he was in hospital in Malta for about a month and a half, so yes that suggests he was injured rather than suffering some illness. I am not sure whether this was a result of the wrecking of the Manzanita, or whether he was already on board Sapphire. Since I don't think Sapphire was involved in any enemy action at that time, I think it is more likely that John was injured in the wreck of Manzanita and transferred as a casualty to Sapphire which brought him ashore for treatment. What is odd is that after being discharged from hospital to HMS Egmont, and then to Admirable (which was the ship co-ordinating the  drifters), he was shown as 'for Manzanita' although she had already been wrecked by that stage.

[ryanh315]

That's great, thank you for all the help!

Best wishes

[AlanBoyd]

The only candidate that I can find for the action on July 10 is this, as reported in many newspapers. (Note that this is not the same engagement as that discussed on the forum that I linked to previously.)

13 July 1916, East Anglian Daily Times

SUNK BY AUSTRIAN CRUISER IN THE ADRIATIC.
PRESS BUREAU, Wednesday Evening.
The Secretary of the Admiralty makes the following announcement: –Information has been received from the British Admiral in the Adriatic that on July 9th the Austrian cruiser Novara came upon a group of H. M. drifters on patrol duty.

The Astrum Spei and the Clavis were sunk and the frigates Bird and Ben Bui were damaged, but were able to return to their port. The crew of the Astrum Spei were taken prisoners, and among the remainder of the boats there were ten killed and eight wounded.

This incident is grossly exaggerated in the following German wireless message:–

"Our cruiser Novara met in the Otranto Straits with a group of four or, according to statements made unanimously by prisoners who were taken, five armed English patrol ships and destroyed them all with cannon fire.

All the steamers sank in flames, three of them after an explosion of the boilers. The Novara was only able to save nine men of their crews.

[The Novara is a new light cruiser of 3,444 tons, armed with nine 3.9in, guns.]

[HMac]

24 . 3 -18 Granted 1st ? [possibly good conduct stripe]

??615  [HMS] Sapphire 19 . 3.16
Red’d from Manzannita (? Ships to RN Ships Malta)
18.8.16

5165 [HMS] Sapphire 31 . 8 .16 to RN
Hosp[ital] Malta 20. 8 .16
5155 [HMS] Egmont 6 .11.16 Rec’d from Hosp ( for Manzanita)
3. 11. 16
5165 [HMD] Admirable 15 . 11 . 16
Rec’d from Egmont 12. 11 .16

aw[arded] 0807 ws a
a1139811918
action in straits of Otranto 10th
July 1916

Prior to the ship names the numerals are actually relating to a form S165 which was a monthly return of all personnel entered on, or discharged from, a ship’s books in the previous month.

Hugh