Engine Room Artificer
Herbert Ernest WELLS
Navy
Died: 21st December 1916 - Age: 30

Commemorated:

1. Memorial:Chatham Naval Memorial17 Kent
2. Book:The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918Pg.138
3. Memorial:The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour50D GQS
    

Awards & Titles:

 

Service Life:

Campaigns:

Unit / Ship / Est.: HMS Negro 

Action : Naval Accident 

During the war there were a number of Naval Accidents which we have isolated because of their shocking caualties and the corresponding impact on members of the craft. There were a number of vessels destroyed in port by explosions which we would today categorise as 'Health & Safety' failures.

WELLS, Herbert Ernest, Engine Room Artificer, HMS Negro HMS Hoste developed engine problems and HMS Negro took her in tow during a storm off the Orkney's. As the two destroyers made their way back to Scapa Flow they were dashed together by the waves causing two depth charges to become dislodged and fall overboard from HMS Hoste. When they reached the proper depth they exploded damaging HMS Negro. Soon both ships were in trouble, Negro because of the damage to her stern and Hoste because she was damaged in the collision and was now at the mercy of the sea. Both ships finally sank in the cold water off Scapa Flow, the smaller Negro sank quickly with heavy loss of life of her entire crew of 5 officers and 46 ratings. The destroyers Marvel and Marmion attempted to tow Hoste to port but were unsuccesful and she was lost as well. Hoste lost 4 ratings. Conway's lists the date of the collision as the 21st. Two Freemasons died on HMS Negro; SAWKINS, John, Chief Stoker WELLS, Herbert Ernest, Engine Room Artificer. SAWKINS held the NavalGeneral Service Medal (Persian Gulf), Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Masonic :

TypeLodge Name and No.Province/District :
Mother : United Service No. 3124 E.C.East Kent

Initiated
Passed
Raised
13th May 1910
10th June 1910
12th August 1912
 

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

Additional Source:

Last Updated: 2017-06-24 15:43:54