John Gilinsky Posted 1 January , 2007 Share Posted 1 January , 2007 Doea anyone have any information on the final day and fate of "VALA" a Q-ship that was apparently sunk allegedly by a German submarine on August 21, 1917 presumably with NO survivors? Thanks, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 1 January , 2007 Share Posted 1 January , 2007 John, She was sailing from Milford Haven to cruise between the Fastnet and the Scillies, she was one day out when last heard from. When she never returned to Queenstown, Q Ship Heather went to search for her in the Bay of Biscay. On 7th of September the German Government announced by wireless that the former English Steamer Vala had been sunk by a U-Boat. Commander Leopold A. Bernays CMG was in command. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kin47 Posted 1 January , 2007 Share Posted 1 January , 2007 Hello Here is the list of men lost in VALA. ADAMS WILLIAM J. C.P.O. 189087 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS ATHERTON JAMES A.B. J 41809 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS BEER ALBERT E. P.O. 193877 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS BERNAYS LEOPOLD A. CDR (acting) (emgcy) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS BURNS JOHN TY/ENGINEER LT, RNR VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS CAPEWELL BRIAN H. SHIP'S STEWARD'S ASST M 15985 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS CHARLES RAYNOR H.L. A.B. J 47206 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS CHURCH JOHN J. A.B. (RFR B 2312) 178787 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS CLARK DAVID L/STOKER K 6744 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS COLES VYVIAN H. PAYMASTER, RNR VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS CULLEN THOMAS M. E.R.A., RNR E B 379 VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS DUDDY CHARLES A.B. J 47698 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS DUNHAM WILLIAM J. A.B. J 47904 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS EVANS EVAN J. STOKER, RNR T 2901 VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS FOOTT JAMES A. CARPENTER'S CREW M 15887 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS FULL GEORGE J. PAINTER 2c M 3112 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS GRAY SAMUEL TY/LT (acting), RNR VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS HALFYARD WALTER H. A.B. (RFR B 4083) 197331 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS HARRIS RICHARD H. P.O. 213377 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS HODGES LAWRENCE J.A. A.B. J 28634 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS HOY THOMAS STOKER, RNR S 1561 VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS HURRELL PERCY H. SIGNALMAN, RNVR Z P 1237 VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS JOHNSON HENRY TY/LT, RNR VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS JORDAN WILLIAM H. A.B. 224463 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS KENDRICK DAVID J. OFFICER'S COOK 2c L 9688 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS LANG WILLIAM G. COOK'S MATE M 11881 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS LIGGITT ROBERT STOKER, RNR S 3957 VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS LOWER LEONARD D. L/SEAMAN, RNR A 3190 VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS MANGER ALFRED O/TELEGRAPHIST J 41168 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS PHENNA EDWARD STOKER P.O., RNR U 1504 VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS PYNE GEORGE R. A.B. SS 6408 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS PYNE HARRY OFFICER'S STEWARD 3c L 9177 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS RADFORD ALFRED S. L/SEAMAN J 4513 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS RENNIE MARK N. TY/LT, RNR VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS SAMBELLS BENJAMIN E.R.A. 1c 269327 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS SCOTT ROBERT G. A.B. (RFR B 2569) SS 363 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS SLATER FRED TELEGRAPHIST J 36567 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS STEPHENSON ALEXANDER STOKER, RNR T 3021 VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS THOMPSON LEONARD O/TELEGRAPHIST J 34769 (Ch) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS THORBURN JAMES OFFICER'S STEWARD 2c L 8297 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS VINNICOMBE FREDERICK W. A/P.O. 198783 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS WHITE WILLIAM C. A.B. J 17154 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS WOOD JOHN B. C.P.O. TELEGRAPHIST 179611 (Dev) VALA 21/08/17 SHIP LOSS All best don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spithead Posted 1 January , 2007 Share Posted 1 January , 2007 Doea anyone have any information on the final day and fate of "VALA" a Q-ship that was apparently sunk allegedly by a German submarine on August 21, 1917 presumably with NO survivors? Thanks, John John The former collier VALA alias Q8 disappeared with all hands in the Bay of Biscay, destroyed by UB.54 on 21st August 1917. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Lowrey Posted 1 January , 2007 Share Posted 1 January , 2007 Vala, a 1016 grt steamer, was sunk by the German submarine UB 54. The action occurred well away from land — the location I have in my notes is 120 miles SW of the Scillies, 48°37'N, 9°28'W. It was pretty typical for U-boats to interview survivors after they sank a ship sailing independently and then simply continue on. The name "Vala" is given in the U-boa'ts KTB. Sometimes the lifeboats simply weren't recovered later. Best wishes, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gilinsky Posted 1 January , 2007 Author Share Posted 1 January , 2007 Thanks everyone for your information which is much appreciated. Michael's last comment about the modus operandi of uboat commanders regarding the retrieval or non-retrieval of survivors is I think fairly well known and indeed factually based on operational standing orders from the German Admiralty. In the fall of 1917 unrestricted submarine warfare was legally in effect. There may not even have been any survivors to interview simply the commander being able through his own intelligence sources, other communications with German vessels in the area and simple perception before and during his attack at recognizing the ship's name. Happy New Year! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 1 January , 2007 Share Posted 1 January , 2007 John, An interesting concept this; Cdr. Bernay’s was probably one of the most charismatic and strongest Q Boat commanders, Chatterton quotes him as “one of the most unusual personalities in a unique service” I would say hard as nails. I would think that Uboat (KTB) sources would be able to expand on whether she was a Q. Ship or not, quite a kill, the weather was at the time, considered Gale force. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lörscher Posted 2 January , 2007 Share Posted 2 January , 2007 John, first, the sinking occured on 20.08.1917, not 21.08. from war diary, the following should be of interest: steamer was estimated at 1000 tons (which is surprisingly correct!), doing little speed, even sometimes stopping, 6 look-outs seen through periscope, so steamer was torpedoed. Torpedo hit in foreward hold, steamer first laying over to port, but than again on even keel. 2 boats with 12 to 14 men apiece launched from the steamer, but 8 men still visible on board. Boats being fitted with lines at the stern, the steamer always trying to show her bow to the periscope. As an Q-ship was expected now, an second torpedo was fired which hit the after hold. An additional 16 to 20 men left the steamer which now was sinking rapidly. After 10 min. UB 54 surfaced, found ammunition casks and charts made for warships, later an gunsight marked Q.8, so Q-ship-status confirmed. The crew was questioned and gave the name of the steamer as VALA weather on the morning of 21.08. was: wind WNW 3, sea 2, but getting worse to wind SW 7 - 8, sea 6 on the afternoon of 21st, so obviously the crew of VALA fell victim to the sea in their boats! Oliver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gilinsky Posted 3 January , 2007 Author Share Posted 3 January , 2007 Thanks Lorscher for your reply which from the other side accounts probably for the demise of the entire crew. Ah, the cruel sea, the cruel sea. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicktamarensis Posted 30 April , 2014 Share Posted 30 April , 2014 HMS VALA: Does anyone know of any surviving photographs of the ship? Thanks, Nick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 30 April , 2014 Share Posted 30 April , 2014 Nick Yes,just google Q Ship Vala and there are a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicktamarensis Posted 1 May , 2014 Share Posted 1 May , 2014 I've trawled through various sites and not found anything unfortunately (similar to another search I have made for the sloop HMS Anchusa). There doesn't seem to be any surviving views of the ship (or the Anchusa!) as far as I can trace. Possibly the builders records may contain something if they survive? Nick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 2 May , 2014 Share Posted 2 May , 2014 If she ever visited Portsmouth it might be worth contacting either the Central Library or the National Museum of the RN. I forget which of those two holds the archive of the local firm which used to photograph every ship entering harbour ready to sell postcards to the crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Phillips Posted 3 May , 2014 Share Posted 3 May , 2014 Nick Is this the HMS Anchusa you are after? http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?63174 Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicktamarensis Posted 5 May , 2014 Share Posted 5 May , 2014 Thanks Dave. Close, but no. According to another well-informed site this is HMS Bryony from the same class. Nick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now