H.W. Rowland |
Salvage Vessels |
L&GSA |
Belgian Coast |
Salvage Operations |
Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association "The Liverpool Salvage Association was established in 1857 by a Committee of Liverpool-based shipowners, merchants, and underwriters. Famous names form the world of shipping including Holt, Brocklebank and Papayanni were included in the list of founders. Their objective was to promote dispatch and economy in the salving of ships and their cargoes. Experts were employed by the Committee who traveled across the globe to reach casualties and protect the interests of those concerned. In 1887, the Liverpool committee was incorporated as the Liverpool Association for the Protection of Commercial Interests as respects Wrecked and Damaged Property. On 1 January 1924 the Liverpool Salvage Association and the Glasgow Salvage Association merged to form the Liverpool & Glasgow Salvage Association. Although the two Associations worked closely with each other they retained separate offices and sent nominated representatives to meetings. As well as undertaking 'routine’ peacetime salvage work, the Liverpool & Glasgow Salvage Association formed the backbone of British salvage efforts during both First and Second World Wars; its plant, personnel and ships being seconded to naval use on both occasions. Captain Frederick Young, later Sir Frederick, rose to command the Admiralty’s Salvage Section during World War I, with the honorary rank of Commodore. Sir Frederick was, amongst many other things, a formidable diver as well as a respected marine engineer." source The American view of salvage services available in Europe in 1904:
"In England there are only three completely equipped salvage steamers,
and these belong to the Liverpool Salvage Association. Smaller English
wrecking companies, such as the East Coast Salvage Company, do not
possess the material required for large salvage work. The removal of
wrecks and obstacles of navigation on the Thames is performed by the
Thames Conservancy, a Government institution, the object of which is
to keep open the river channel." from Daily consular reports
[microform] by United States. Dept. of Commerce and Labor; United
States. Bureau of Manufactures by Hugh Pitcarn Consul-General, Hamburg,
Germany October 6 1904 pp. 11/12 and pp. 556/557.
English view of salvage services in 1943:
"As in the case of repairs, the demand for salvage services from the
outbreak of war far exceeded the needs of peace. The authorities were
able to fall back on the great experience gained in 1914 -18, but,
unfortunately, the fine equipment and salvage fleet built up in those
years, no longer existed when the call came in 1939. Owing to lack of
support and to the keen competition of continental firms, particularly
Dutch and German, British salvage facilities had been allowed to
decline seriously. Extensive Admiralty equipment had been dispersed.
The Admiralty Salvage Service in 1914 -18 had been built up largely on the vessels and personnel of the Liverpool Salvage Association. This Association was formed in 1857 by shipowners, merchants, and underwriters of marine insurance to act in their common interests. Between the two wars, it was amalgamated with the Glasgow Salvage Association, another old established concern operating on similar lines." from the Britains Merchant Navy edited by Archibald Hurd published Odhams Press Limited, London 1943 pp. 155/6 The Annual General Meeting the Liverpool Salvage Association was held on Friday, the 28th January, 1921. The following is a newspaper article reported almost word for word in numerous newspapers in which a detailed account is given of the work carried during the First World War: "SALVAGE OF SHIPS. LIVERPOOL COMPANY'S AID NAVY. ROMANCE OF THE WAR. The Annual General Meeting the Liverpool Salvage Association was held on Friday, the 28th January, 1921, at the offices of the Association, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool. Mr. W. A. Edwards (Chairman) presided, and amongst those present were the following: Messrs. F. R. Edwards and James P. Rudolf (Deputv-Chairmen), J. Sandeman A'len, N. B. Barnes, G. H. Court, T. H. Harper, F. Lloyd, G. E. Martindale, Jas. M. M. Meyer, J. C. Nioholson, and J. Pemberton (members of the Committee), D. Caine, J. E. H. Gill, S. D. Grundy, W. W. Harris, C. Maclver, and H. Sumner (members the Association), Frederick H. Lowe (General Manager and Secretary), D. C. Kinghorn (Assistant Secretary). Mr. Fredk. H. Lowe (General Manager and Secretary), having read the notice convening the meeting and. the Auditor's Certificate, the Report of thy Committee for the year 1321) and the Statement of Accounts were taken as read. The Chairman, moving the adoption the Report and Accounts, said —Gentlemen, I have again 'the privilege of submitting for your acceptance the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts made to the 31st December, 1920, duly audited. Whilst occupying the chair of tliie Association during ahe past three yeans, do not think you have found me loquacious, whether in Annual General Meetings or Committees, but to-day I have to trespass upon your patience, and I must ask you bear with me. When addressing you last year, I ventured to hope that the history of the services rendered the nation our Salvage Steamers, plant and personnel during the Great War would some day be fully set forth. Well, I now able lift a corner of the curtain and say something of what was done and how we, as an Association, played -our part in the stupendous struggle. And so, in the shortest manner possible, I will submit to you a few illuminating facts. SERVICES IN THE WAR, You will remember that at the outbreak the war placrd all we had, unreservedly, at the disposal of the Nation, represented by the Government the day. We claim no especial merit for this: it was our duty, and we did it. So, in November, 1914, we find our wrecking steamer, the Linton, beginning her duties, under the Admiralty, by sinking the obsolete battleship Hood across the southern entrance Portland Harbour, in order to protect the anchorage inside, from Torpedo attack. Heavy moorings were laid and the battleship, with the Linton alongside, was moored between the two piers. Numerous charges of explosives were placed in the Hood and within seven minutes firing these, the vessel was capsized and sank, exactly as required. From December, 1914, to March, 1915, the Linton was employed laying the moorings for the Swin defences off Brightlingsea. Over 500 anchors various sizes, with their chain and wire moorings, were laid during this period. In October, 1915, the Linton was despatched the Dardanelles, and during the six months which she spent in these waters she carried out very valuable work. In all 51 craft of various sizes, that had sunk near the beaches, either by gun fire stranding, were salved. In addition, the s.s. Bideford was sunk breakwater, to help the landing of troops and material, and was afterwards refloated. Also the dummy battleship Michigan was sunk for the same purpose. SALVAGE OF MARLBOROUGH. H.M.S. Marlborough having been torpedoed at the Battle of Jutland was able to reach the Humber under her own steam. On her arrival the Linton placed pumps board, and afterwards accompanied her to the Tyne, where she was dry-docked. Submarines E. 4 and E. 41. The Linton assisted the Ranger in the salving of both submarines. S.S. Araby.—This vessel had stranded across the entrance to Boulogne Harbour, completely closing the port, and preventing the landing of troops and war material urgently needed for the army at the front. The Araby broke amidships. The Linton salved each half separately, thus clearing the entrance. During 1917 and 1918 the Linton was employed exclusively the South Coast, attending and salving vessels that had been torpedoed or had stranded on the coast, 23 vessels were dealt with during this pericd. One of the most interesting of these cases was the large American oil tanker, the O. B. Jennings. This vessel had been in collision and fire, and eventually had to be sunk by gunfire, off Sandown Bay the Isle of Wight, in order extinguish the flames and save as much of the cargo of oil as possible. She was salved by the Linton and taken Southampton where she was dry-docked and temporarily repaired. Unfortunately, on her voyage home to America, she torpedoed and sank in deep water, only 100 miles from her destination. TORPEDOED SHIPS. Another interesting fact was that between 8th June, 1917, and 17th June, 1917 (ten days), four vessels, with a total deadweight 30,400 tons, were safely brought to Southampton Waters and beached, after having being torpedoed in the Channel. These vessels were the : Oldfield Grange, s.s., in ballast; torpedoed and sunk, deadweight... 8,900 Eustace, s.s., in ballast; torpedoed and sunk, deadweight 8,800 Marguerita s.s., laden with coal, torpedoed and, deadweight... 5,200 Mahopac, s.s., laden with a general cargo; torpedoed and sunk, deadweight 7,500 As stated, total deadweight of 30,400 I wish to draw your particular attention to this most extraordinary salvage feat. The Linton at the time was working at the wreck of the Elford, s.s., when a wireless received from the Admiralty the 8th June, 1917, as follows: Proceed with all despatch for salvage operations on vessels sunk off Worthing. Escort being arranged." Gentlemen, what significant phrase— "Escort being arranged." This unconsciously emphasises the hideous risks run by our officers and men in the discharge of their duties to the nation. On the 12th June, 1917, the following was received from the Director of Naval Equipment: " I congratulate you and crew Linton the smart piece of salvage of Oldfield Grange; ship should be made fit for floating and docking yvitbout patching if possible." On the 15th June, 1917, this wire was received: I again heartily congratulate you and the officers and crew the Linton on the very quick and successful removal of the Eustace steamer to Stokes Bay." And finally on 17th June, 1917, the following from the Commander-in-Chief begins : Will you please express my congratulations to all concerned on the excellent work done in bringing in safety Stokes Bay Mahopac, Marguerita, Eustaoe, and Oldfield Grange; reflects great credit on everybody." Again, I would remind you that four large steamers, with a total deadweight of 30,400 tons, which had been torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel were in 10 short days floated and brought into good safety by the efforts of our people. ADMIRALTY THANKS. The Devona, s-s., was sunk after collision off Selsea Bill, and lay with decks submerged fore and aft. Her cargo consisted of about 5,000 tons grain in bulk and 1,500 tons of flour. Satlvage operations were commenced by salvage steamer Linton on the 15th September, 1917, and the vessel floated and taken alongside the wharf Southampton on the 18th September, 1917, four days in all. Her draft before sinking was 24ft. 6in., whilst her draft floating was 36ft. 9in. No words of mine are needed to emphasize these facts and figures. On the September, 1917, there was received from the Admiralty the following letter: " My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have had under consideration report from the Director of Naval Equipment relative the salvage of the s.s. Devona, and I am to convey to you expression of Lordships satisfaction the manner in which you carried out these operations. command of their Lordships. (Signed) R. R. Scott." Well may the Admiralty wire and write their congratulations and high appreciation of the wonderful work done. Shortly after the Germans evacuated the Belgian Coast, the Linton, accompanied by the Ranger, assisted clearing the harbours of Ostend and Zeebrugge. And she ended her work, and returned to us by the Admiralty, a confessed Constructive Total Loss; worn out the service of her country. AID TO WARSHIPS. The following is a brief description of some of the more important salvage operations carried out the salvage steamer Ranger during the period of the war:— H.M.S. Conqueror. —This vessel, having bean in serious collision with her sister ship the Monarch, managed steam back her anchorage Soapa Flow, with her forward compartments full of water. The Ranger was sent for, and temporary repairs were executed, which consisted of patching the extensive damage below the water line and pumping the flooded, compartments out. This enabled her to steam the nearest dry-dock. H.M.S. Lion. —Admiral Beatty's flagship at that time, after being severely damaged during the Dogger Bank action, was towed back to the Firth of Forth. Having been hit several times below the water line, various compartments hed been flooded on one side of the vessel, which gave her a heavy list. The Ranger, working at Scapa Flow at the time, was sent for and temporary repairs were put in hand. This consisted of building a large cofferdam around the damaged armour plating below the water line and closing up all the fractures with timber, and backing same with concrete. Within 15 days the Lion was able to proceed to the Tyne, under her own steam and et a reasonable speed, where permanent repairs were carried out. H.M.S. Britannia.—While returning to her anchorage in the Firth of Forth, she stranded on the Island of Inchkeith. She was lying on rocks for more or less her full length, fracturing her shell plating under her engine and boiler rooms and flooding her double bottom spaces. The Ranger was moored alongside, and fittings made to expel the water from compartments; by means of compressed air. In addition a considerable quantity of ammunition was discharged,, and the vessel successfully floated. After this, temporary repairs were carried out by the Ranger, which enabled her to proceed at full speed to dryrdock the South Coast. H.M.S. Roxburgh.—This vessel was the first Cruiser or Man-of-War that having been hit by a torpedo, was able to steam back to harbour. Temporary repairs were again executed by the Ranger, which enabled her to steam with safety to a repairing port. H.M.S. Argyll.—This vessel stranded on Bell Rock off Dundee. Owing to the very exposed position, and the severe damage she had received, no attempt could be made to save the vessel, though nearly all her guns and other valuable equipment were salved by means of the Ranger's derricks. SUBMARINES RAISED. German Submarine U.C.5.—A mine-layer, stranded on the Shipwash Bank off Harwich. This craft was salved by the Ranger and towed to Harwich, where she was drydocked. As this was the first enemy submarine captured intact, much valuable information was obtained by the Admiralty. H.M. Submarines E. 4 and E.41.—These two vessels had both sunk in 11 fathoms water, having been in collision, while exercising about 8 miles off the Essex coast. The Ranger, which happened to on the West Coast of England at the time, was immediately despatched to the scene of the disaster. Eventually both vessels wore lifted to the surface, dry-docked, and repaired, and within a few months were back in service again. It is regretted that there was very heavy loss life due this accident. The entire crew E. 4 and more than half of E. 41 being drowned. H.M. Submarine K.13.—In January, 1917, this submarine, the largest and most up-todate of her kind, was undergoing her final official trials in the Gareloch, and was making one more dive, but failed to reappear. Assistance was hurriedly sent for, and H.M. salvage ship Thrush, lying at Greenock, was despatched the scene immediately, and was joined soon after by the Ranger, both which were instrumental in locating and lifting one end of the submarine sufficiently to effect the release of 47 of the officers and crew, after their having been imprisoned a depth of 11 fathoms for 58 hours. This in itself was achievement deserving of the highest praise, as the process of rescue was fraught with many grave risks, as will be realized the fact that within few hours after the extrication of the last survivor the lifting wires carried away and the vessel again sunk. Operations for re-floating were then commenced, and by means of compressed air, all water was expelled from her, and she eventually was brought to the surface, six weeks after the disaster, and within the year was again in commission. Dredger Venezia.—This craft was sunk at the entrance of one the dry-docks at Rosyth Dockyard at the end 1915, only a few weeks before these important docks were to opened. The Ranger was sent to her and wires were swept under her January 23rd, 1916, and on February 5th she was successfully lifted, and carried well away from vulnerable a spot beached pending further operations a later date. OTHER SHIPS HELPED. H.M. Collier Bedale.—This vessel at the time about half loaded, was sunk by collision off Rosyth. Though the submerged weight totalled 2,700 tons, it was decided to attempt to lift this vessel by means of wire ropes and lighters, using the rise tides "power. This was successfully accomplished and, after seven successive lifts, she was pumped out, floated, and towed to dry-dock Grangemouth. This was the maximum weight that had ever been lifted by wire ropes to that time. H.M. Hospital Ship Asturias.—This was the first hospital ship be torpedoed in home waters. She drifted helplessly about for several hours, until she stranded rocks off the Devonshire coast, when she filled with water fore and aft. She was salved the Ranger and towed to Plymouth, where she was dry-docked. Pumping power at tho rate of 12,000 tons per hour was used when floating this vessel. S.S. Westmoreland.—This vessel of 9,500 tons gross was fully laden with a general cargo from the Colonies. The estimated value of hull and cargo exceeded £3,000,000. She was torpedoed and sank off the Cumberland ooast in a very exposed position, and high water had 16ft. water ever her upper deck. After three months' arduous work she was eventually salved by the Ranger and towed to Liverpool for repairs. Numerous other casualties, both torpedoed ships and strandings, were successfully dealt with the Ranger, making a total of 39 cases, including such well known vessels as the R.M.S. Celtic, H.M.S. Arethusa, and Duke of Albany. From November, 1918, until November, 1919, she was employed the Belgian coast assisting in clearing the harbours of Osbend and Zeebrugge. While on war service, the total distance steamed the Ranger from casually casualty, around the British Isles, was nearly 17,000 miles. Such, in brief, are the romances our wrecking steamers the Ranger and Linton during the air. Gentlemen, what I have laid before you but short and simple record of some of the work dome for the by the Steamers, Plant and Personnel of our Association. It is a record of which all concerned may well be proud, aad venture to hope that, whan those in authority come make final settlement with the Liverpool Salvage Association for services rendered, due consideration will given to the facts which I have this day submitted to you, and thit we may be placed in a position continue, in ths future, our beneficent and peaceful work of safeguarding the interests of Ship and Cargo Owners, their Underwriters and the Commercial Commuaity generally; a work which was disastrously prevented by the greatest calamity in the history of the world. PEACE WORK. I must not detain you with any remarks upon the Report of the Committee for the year 1920. I content myself by referring you to that Report. This I will say: Our Cargo Department has established a record during the past year, Ğad although opportunities for salvage service have been few, we are not without hope that, in the future, a larger proportion of such work may be required will come our way; work for which we believe our Association to tie preeminently qualified. I now beg to move that tho Annual Report of the Committee and Statement Accounts as audited and are hereby received and approved. (Applause.) Mr. F. R. Edwards.—l have great pleasure in seconding that. The resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. COMMITTEE RE-ELECTED. Mr. J. E. H. Gill.—Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I beg to move: " That the retiring members of the Committee, viz., Messrs. J. Allm, S. Barker, N. B. Barnes, G. H. Court, F. R. Edwards, W. A. Edwards, J. Ferguson, T. 11. Harper, F. Lloyd, G. E. Mjartindaki, J. M. M. Meyer, J. C. Nicholson, J. Pembertan, J. P. Rudolf, and H. H. Stitt be and are hereby re-elected members the Committee. Mr. W. W. Harris seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. THANKS THE STAFF. The Chairman.—The next business 3 one that you will expect to discharge, but I have been such an unconscionable time already that I not going to detain you here further. The vote I am going to ask yoirr acceptance of is a vote of thanks to our Wrecking Officers, our Cargo Surveyors, the General Manager and Secretary, and our Assistant Secretary, and the Office Staff generally. All I have said to-day has been in praise of our Wrecking Officers, and I need not take any more time now in emphasise our appreciation of their work. The Cargo Department has been referred to me, and it only remains for me mention our worthy General Manager and Secretary, Mr. Fredk. H. Lowe, his Assistant Secretary, Mr. D. 0. Kinghorn, M.B.E., and the Office Staff generally. They are all so excellent that I not going attempt to paint the lily gild refined gold, but will ask you accept this vote. Mr. T. H. Harper.—l have very great pleasure in endorsing all you have said. As far as my observation goes and what I know of the Management, it really could not be improved, and I second that proposition. The Chairman.—Will you carry this vote with acclamation, please. The Resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. Fred'k. H. Lowe.—Mr. Chairman, Mr. Harper, and Gentlemen, I thank you very much for your kind remarks, and do not think I need say anything more. TRIBUTES THE CHAIRMAN. Mr. J. Sandeman Allen.—l sure everybody present will wish me to voice their feelings that a hearty vote thanks be given to the Chairman for the way he has conducted the proceedings of the Annual Meeting, and the care, diligence, and devotion he has given to the affairs of the Association for the past twelve months. We acted very wisely in putting the chair for the third 'time, and your experience during that period and the tact and wisdom you have shown during these difficult times have been very much appreciated by your colleagues, and we have to thank you most cordially for all your labours. As regards the meeting to-day, it is quite true your beet friend would not you of being over loquacious as a rule, but on this occasion, I am sure, you have acted in way which is not only good in the interests of the Association, but interesting to us and to everybody connected with shipping, and, indeed, everybody connected with this country who has the interests of the Nation at heart. We have listened with very great interest to those matters which you have unfolded us, and we look forward to seeing your speech in print to study more closely and show to our friends. Incidentally, while it is true these ships almost have a language to us, and especially those of who had to do with them since the Association first took them over, we feel we are linked up with them, but every old member here will agree with that the ships are, after all, the machinery, the men are the ones who have done the work. While we are justly proud of our men, and desire remember the ability rhey have displayed, we do not, anyone of us, I am perfectly certain, forget that even those who are no longer with us have had a great deal to with it, and feel that when are publishing the History the War we want to recognise the ability the very fine set of men have to-day. that they have derived a great deal of it from that able roan who was our employ before, Commodore Young, whom we do not forget, although his duties and activities are devoted other interests. What realize today is that we have a body capable, loyal, devoted, and experienced men to the interests of their work are their paramount interest, and as have listened to your speech appreciate it more, and I right in saying that we wish to convey our hearty thanks for all you have done and for the interesting and able way you have conducted the proceedings this morning. Mr. H. Sumner.—l take it as quite compliment to lie asked to follow Mr. Allen in legard the services cf the Chairman, and perhaps it is appropriate that a speech of that nature should be made by an active Member the Committee, for course Mr. Allan and the other members of the Committee are in constant touch with the everyday affairs of the Association, and they are in a position to speak, if any speech was necessary which I sure is not, to the high ability .and devotion of the Chairman to the affairs of the Association. Of course, my day with the Association is in the past, but I do not think there is anybody in this room who oould have listened with more intense interest to the recital of the doings of this Association during that awful period from 1914 to the conclusion of the work of these boats, and I think Chairman has been very moderate, very temperate, perhaps too much so, his reference to the nature, the extent, and the importance of the work that these men, these boats, and Management and the Committee this Association performed, which we are glad to have been able to perform towards the Nation, especially through the Admiralty. So far Mr. Edwards is concerned, I am able to testify, not only from the reports I which I get from hevre, that he conducts the business part of this Association with very great ability, but I have had experience that he does not forget another side the Association, which is really tradition of the Association, and that that the Committee with certain of their friends to have opportunity occasionally of witnessing these steamers, not altogether from the actual wrecking point of view, but assured of their condition and their ability to carry on their good work for many years to come. I have the very greatest pleasure in associating myself with all that has been said with regard to Mr. Edwards. Mr. J. Sandeman Allen.—l put that to the meeting. I take it that is carried with acclamation. (Applause.) The Chairman.—Mr. Allen, Mr. Sumner, and Gentlemen, you have all been too kind and the two speakers too eulogistic of my services, but I beg to thank them both very kindly and all you gentlemen for the manner in which you have received the vote. I have tried to do my best, and I glad to think that I have met with your approval. (Applause.) The proceedings closed." from the Western Morning News and Mercury, February 2, 1921 page 6 columns 2-4. "Again in 1939 the Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association, with its specially designed plant and trained personnel, formed the nucleus of the country's salvage resources. In a single year (1941) the Association successfully salved a number of merchant ships representing 385,400 tons gross, much of it loaded with valuable cargoes, which were also saved. Besides the association, which is a non-profit makingconcern, there were three or foul' important private salvage and towage, firms as well as a number of smaller companies normally engaged chiefly in towage." from the Britains Merchant Navy by Archibald Hurd published Odhams Press Limited, London pp. 155/6 "In 2000 The Liverpool & Glasgow Salvage Association acquired Perfect, Lambert & Co and were brought together in a new company - LGSA Marine." source L&GSA PERSONNEL "HEROES IN SHIPS HOLD. The King has awarded the Edward Medal to three men who sacrificed their lives in effort to save a fellow-workman, named Thomas Anderson and James Edward Tierney, of the salvage vessel Ranger, and George Gale, Admiralty foreman stevedore at Portland Dockyard. They were engaged in salvage operations the steamer Great City, whose holds were full of gas from decomposing grain. The pump being in danger of choking from pieces of floating wood, stevedore's man went down to pick them up. Overcome gas, fell into the water. The heroes then successively went to his rescue, but were all overcome and perished." from the Diss Express and Norfolk and Suffolk Journal - Friday 29 March 1918 p. 2 "The death has recently taken place of a well-known marine salvage expert—Captain John Ellis. He joined the Liverpool Salvage Association, as Master of the salvage vessel Hymna about twenty-five years ago, and commanded other vessels of the Association since then. He assisted in the raising of sunken vessels at the entrance of Belgian ports, and returned to Liverpool late last year." from The Marine Engineer and Naval Architect Vol. XLVI. No. 544. January 1923 p. 1 Frederic William Young The Admiralty Salvage Service in 1914 -18 had been built up largely on the vessels and personnel of the Liverpool Salvage Association under the command of F. W. Young of the Liverpool Salvage Association. (see 1927 obituary of Commodore Sir Frederic William Young (c1859-1927) ) "SALVOR OF SHIPS . VALUABLE WAR WORKER THE LATE SIR F . YOUNG The death occurred at his house in Chelsea on , Tuesday , at tho age of 69 , of Sir Frederick Young , who was head of the salvago section of the Admiralty during the war , and who had since been acting as naval salvage adviser. He was the world's greatest authority on salvage work of all kinds , and the value of hulls and cargoes recovered by him from the sea amounted to millions of pounds . For over thirty, years he was engaged in continuous salvage work, chiefly with the Liverpool Salvage Association . He commanded the salvage steamer Ranger . The name "Captain Young , of Liverpool ," was regarded by tho underwriters as the best guarantee of efficiency possible , and it was to him that in an emergency owners of valuablo sunken cargoes turned . He was the first man to raiso a sunken U-boat , tho U C 5 , aud another great feat was tho blocking of Portland Harbour in loss than a week by sinking the battleship Hood bottom up. Tho Hood still remains where Sir Frederick placed her in-, position to prevent tho entry of enemy vessols into the harbour . Although nearly 60 when war broke out in 1914 , he was called upon to salve British warships , but it soon became apparent that tho salvage of merchant vessels and their cargoes was a matter just as important , and he was entrusted with the task . In all he raised 500 ships , with a total cargo value of over £ 50,000,000. AN AMAZING RECORD . From the Oceana , which sank at Eastbourne , he recovered £ 750,000 in specie . He salved the cruiser Gladiator at the Islo of Wight , and it was he who, after the evacuation by tho Germans of the Belgian ports , was chiefly responsible for clearing Zeebrugge and Ostend by raising 18 ships , including the Vindictive, Thetis, and Iphigenia , which were sunk at the naval action at Zeebrugge , and Captain Fryatt's steamer , the Brussels . He also lifted the British submarines E 4 and 41 , refloated the battleships Britannia and Conqueror , and took a hand in fitting out the expedition sent to destroy the German warship Konigsberg . Perhaps his greatest , salvage work , so far as the saving of human life went , was tho raising of the ' British submarine K 13 , which sank during manoevre practice in the Gareloch . Thirty-one of the crew wore drowned when the vessel sank , but the remainder escaped a like fato by getting to I ho fort-part of the vessel . After being imprisoned in the hull of the submarine for over 50 hours , the remaining crew of 43 were finally rescued by the ingenuity of Captain Young , who by means of barges and wires , up-ended the submarine and had wholes burnt in the hull . Sir Frederick for his war work was created a K . B . E . in 1920 . He is survived by Lady Young and by an only son , Major Desmond Young . The ' funeral " will be at Burlesdon , Hants , to-day." from The Scotsman, 22 December 1927 p. 11 "LIVERPOOL SALVAGE CREW WANT MORE PAY The crew of the Liverpool salvage steamer Ranger, at present in the Canning Dock, have been granted more wages following a request for an increase. The Evening Express was informed that the Ranger’s crew receive 14s. sd. a day, and that they were asking for 255. a day, the same as the Zelo’s crew will receive. have, however, men’s demands to some extent, ,and have given them an increase in wages. Two of the crew have preferred to leave, but the rest are content, and will sail tonight if the weather is fit,” an official of the Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association told The Evening Express. The Ranger is due to sail tonight with the salvage steamer Zelo to attempt the salvage of the Thetis. " from the Liverpool Evening Express - Wednesday 28 June 1939 |