Sinking of the SS Ravansworth 15 September 1917

[DAVID WALTERS]

Can anyone help please?

William Charles Hinkin (born around 1892), died on the 15th September 1917 when his ship SS 756 Ravensworth was in a collision and sank off Belfast Lough. He was aged 25 and an assistant engineer, born in Mole (MOLD, Flintshire). He was living at 57, Walters Road, Llanelly. The ship was registered at Newcastle. I have lots of codes like: Page 246/Box 0070/BT334 service and Page 14/0071/0069. No idea what these mean. Would love to know a little of what happened, the ship (maybe a picture), and where (if found) the body of William is buried. Name on ship's role W C Hinkin.

Can anyone help in any area? Please.

David

[seaweed]

First off. The photo you have attached is a later vessel with the name RAVENSWORTH, probably 1960's.
I doubt very much you will find the information you are looking for online so I suggest you first of all visit the British National Archive and take a look at the ships logbook in piece BT99/3290 search via ships official number 88756. This will record details of his death and  also may give and indication to where he is buried, if indeed he was.
Also contact Southampton City Archive to see if they have a Board of Trade Wreck Report. If there is a report it will give details of the collision and sinking.
There may also be a Board of Inquiry report, possibly written in Belfast but due to the war situation this may have been overlooked. A search of local newspapers may also shed some light.

[copperbeech5]

Hi David,

I have had a similar story to solve, and I found that the thing that gave me the most answers was to contact the nearest  Local History Library, and ask them to search for Newspaper articles of the accident at the time.

http://www.ni-libraries.net/services/local-studies/belfast-central-library/

Good luck
Copperbeech5

[DAVID WALTERS]

Thank you both for your helpful information.
Five died that day, with some even having markers and graves, with short write ups. I just thought I had missed something out there. Looks like some leg work and not a chair.
Thanks again.
David

[mmm45]

Two Naval casualties Oswald Peart and David Hanlan are on CWGC Hanlan lies in Ballantrae Peart no known grave.

For CWGC recognition Mercantile Marine deaths had to be attributable to enemy action so I guess he wasnt eligible( by Board Of Trade Rules) as it was deemed accidental.

George Trengrove from Swansea lies in the same grave as David Hanlan in Ballantrae

Ady

[copperbeech5]

Hi David,

You might still be able to stay in your chair.... I emailed the library that I needed, and they mailed back the info, I needed info from the Isle of Man, and I am in the Midlands!

Good luck,
Copperbeech5

[mmm45]

http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/2000982/TRENGOVE,%20GEORGE%20HENRY

This could have the making of a non commemorated sailor case?

If George Trengrove has CWGC status wonder why William Hinkin hasnt??
Maybe he was missed?

Theres three entries for him on maritime deaths 1917 (off Belfast lough)

Ady

[DAVID WALTERS]

Dear All

Great reading your posts.
Here is a photo of the men that died that I downloaded. Why was William Charles Hinkin missed?

David

[mmm45]

It happened to a lot of lads for various reasons.

Im going to post a link to this thread on the Non Commemorated Board of the Great War Forum if the other lads are recognised then hopefully William will get CWGC status.Death Certs etc will all be needed but will  see what happens

Mercantile Marine can have lots of technicalities for inclusion on CWGC.

Ady