Loss of S.S. Delhi, Conclusion
January 2nd, 2009 From
>Date: Sun, 21 Sep 1997 23:37:16 -0600
>From: Brooks A Rowlett
>Organization: None whatsoever
>X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.01-C-MACOS8 (Macintosh; I; PPC)
>To: “C. Patrick Hreachmack”
> “Jim O’Neil”
> Mahan Naval History Mailing List
> MARHST
> WWOne Mailing List
>Subject: Loss of S.S. Delhi, Conclusion
>Precendence: bulk
>Sender: mahan-owner@microworks.net
>Reply-To: mahan@microworks.net
>
>”after what seemed an eternity we were on dry land the people went on
>to a lighthouse which was near by until arrangements could be made for
>them to travel to Tangiers which was roughly 21 miles from Cape Spartel
>it must have been very trying for them as it was not very warm and no
>dry clothes to put on. Now before I go any further I must tell you that
>Rear Admiral Sir Christopher Craddock was in our boat and did some very
>gallant work indeed, not only by his good management in getting our boat
>alongside the wreck but was very instrumental after a great struggle in
>getting the Duke & Duchess safely on the beach. Shortly after we landed
>we tried to launch our boat again but found she had been stove in where
>she was thrown up on the beach so had to abandon the idea. Now being
>as the ship was ashore on shifting sand she was driven near to shore
>with practically every wave that struck her we then tried the Breeches
>Buoy which had been brought round from Gibraltar by a detachment of
>R.G.O. they arrived at Tangiers onboard H.M.S. Hampshire and completed
>the journey by land to Spartel Point. they soon had the Rocket
>Apperatus rigged several Rockets being fired before getting one on
>board. it was speedily made fast to the Foremast. On the end of the
>line attached to the Rocket is a board with instructions what to do
>printed in several languidges, after this was done it became rather
>amusing because when the Breeches Buoy was midway between ship and
>shore the occupant of the Buoy got a very severe ducking we succeeded
>in getting all the crew ashore without any further mishap while this
>work was going on a detachment of Algerian Cavalry had arrived from
>Tangiers and pitched a camp for us to shelter in during the nights we
>were there for 5 days, on the second morning the Duke of Edinburgh
>accompanied by the Good Hope proceeded to Portsmouth leaving us behind.
>it made us feel a little down hearted at the time as we were all
>anxious to get home with our friends and relations. Now the only thing
>we had to do now was to join the “London” which was lying at Anchor in
>Tangiers. this meant a journey overland a distance roughly 21 miles and
>I can tell you we did not relish that very much as we never had much
>sleep we had nothing to cover over us at night and no soft bed to lie
>on so you can imagine how we felt the evening before we left the
>Admiral informed us that the British Consul at Tangiers had made
>arrangements for ponies and mules to be sent to our camp to convey us to
>our destination. now this journey was very amusing as the animals had no
>reins or even saddles if they had been at all restive I am afraid we
>should had to have completed our journey on foot but they were very
>quiet so now we connence our journey in single line ahead I think they
>must have been trained for the job as it was very seldom one overtook
>the other their trotting days were over, the first thing we saw after we
>left the beach just over a small hill was a group of mud huts a little
>village occupied by a few Brigands and no doubt if we had not the Guard
>with us one or two would have be held for ransom these huts were not
>very large the entrances was a hole just big enough for a man to crawl
>through. they were a fine specimen of manhood a few stood by as we
>passed their bodies just like a piece of Ebony but they were quite
>harmless. we were traveling over very difficult country and it was well
>in the evening when we arrived at Tangiers. a few of us had already
>discarded our mounts and finished on foot it is not very pleaseant
>riding without a saddle On our arrival we found the Londons boats
>already waiting for us we were very soon on board and sitting down to
>good meal and we paid full justice to it most of the time we only had
>biscuits. As soon as we arrived on the ship we put to sea homeward
>bound at last. but our troubles were not over as we ran into a very
>severe storm during the night we all had to turn out and secure the
>torpedo nets where the lashings had been carried away by the sea during
>this time the ship was eased down with just enough way to keep head on
>her course we were tossing about like a cork two men were lost overboard
>during this operation. When the watch was mustered later it was found
>that a Petty Officer was missing in fact he must have been washed
>overboard as he was never seen again the ship steamed round the spot as
>near as could be. I am very doubtful if we could have saved any of them
>had we seen them we read the Service the following morning finally we
>arrived at Dover after a very dirty passage as soon as the ship was
>secured alongside we entrained to joined our ship at Portsmouth and
>thence on leave which was very acceptable nothing more of importance
>occurred until we were on our way back again we were not far from the
>Straits of Gibraltar when we passed the Good Hope conveying the Body of
>the Duke of Fife to England apparently the immersion in the water cost
>him his life we fired a salute as we passed then continued our journey
>to Gibraltar during our stay there we were presented with a signed
>photograph of the Duke & Duchess of Fife and their two Daughters we
>returned to Portsmouth and paid off on the 14th March 1912 on three of
>the boats crew reconmissioning one Midshipman one Leading Seaman and
>myself. Now in September 1912 we were giving general leave at Rosyth I
>had just returned on board from leave when I was informed that we had
>to appear at Buckingham Palace on the 12th Sept to be invested by the
>King so we journeyed to London by rail after being decorated by the
>King we proceeded on 14 days leave rejoining the ship at Portsmouth.”
>
>(End of account). My questions & Comments below.
>
>1. From first posting – what is the story behind the “St. Angelo II
>(Hostile)”?
>
>2. Rear Admiral Christopher Craddock is the same Craddock who died
>aboard the GOOD HOPE some 3 years later in the Battle of Coronel, when
>GOOD HOPE and MONMOUTH were overwhelmed and sunk by Admiral Graf von
>Spee’s German Pacific Squadron of the SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU.
>(My reason for incluidng the World War I Mailing List in the
>distribution).
>
>3. Who specifically was the Duke of Fife, and why are the daughters
>Princesses?
>
>4. Can anyone provide further details of the vessel S.S. DELHI,
>and her loss?
>
>5. What is the “R.G.O.” organization which brought out the rockets and
>breeches buoy gear?
>
>6. Are there any French accounts of this rescue, associated with FRYANT
>(which my CONWAY’S ALL THE WORLD’S WARSHIPS 1860-1905 says should be
>FRIANT)?
>
>6. And of course, any other questions or comments that various
>listmembers may have come to mind as a result of this information.
>for one thing, my friend with these has noted that he believe only some
>500 of these Board of Trade Bronze Medals were awarded; perhaps someone
>else can say over what period these were in distribution and what
>replaced them?
>
>-Brooks A Rowlett
>brooksar@indy.net