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IN OUTLINE
Monday 31
August 1914
German
auxiliary cruiser Cap Trafalgar, 18,710grt commissioned
in South Atlantic with 2-4.1in guns from gunboat Eber
sailing from German South West Africa, no British or
allied ships sunk
Monday 14
September
Central
Atlantic
Carmania,
Admiralty armed merchant cruiser, ex-passenger ship,
19,524/1905, Cunard SS Co, Liverpool, hired 8/8/14,
8-4.7in, Capt N Grant, South American Station, taking
part in southerly sweep for German raiders, coming down
from NE at 16kts to examine Trinidada Island. Discovered
Cap Trafalgar (2-4in/6 pom-poms) coaling from two
colliers. German made off southwards while colliers
dispersed, but then turned west and began to close at
18kts, range down to 8,500yds by 1210, Carmania fired a
shot across the bows, Cap Trafalgar replied, and when
only 7,500yds apart both ships opened rapid accurate
fire. Range continued to shorten until Cap Trafalgar
could use short-range pom-poms, Carmania turned away
full circle until she was chasing by which time her
bridge was on fire, but the German was also on fire
forward with a slight list. As a stern chase developed
Cap Trafalgar slowly pulled away and by 1330 was out of
range, but the fire was gaining and list increasing.
Fifteen minutes later she capsized and sank in 20.10S,
29.51W.
Carmania was badly damaged with five holes on
the water line and fore-bridges destroyed, fires came
under control, made for Abrolhos Rocks, met next
afternoon in response to her SOS by light cruiser
Bristol which stood by until arrival of armoured cruiser
Cornwall; 6 men killed, 4 DOW, 26 wounded (Rn/Cn/D/dk/kp).
Royal Navy
Single Ship Action - Carmania v CAP TRAFALGAR 1914
(click for source abbreviations)
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PRIZE MONEY NOTICE
With thanks to
the London Gazette
Gazette No. 29552 - 18 APRIL 1916 Naval Prize Money. Admiralty, S.W., 18th April, 1916. Notice is hereby given to all persons, interested therein, that preparations are now being made for the intended Distribution of the Prize Bounty awarded for the destruction of the enemy armed ship "Cap Trafalgar" by H.M. Ship "Carmania," on the 14th September, 1914. (followed by administration details)
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starting with
IMAGES
SS
Cap Trafalgar (Cyber Heritage/Terry Phillips)
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ROYAL NAVY
CASUALTIES
With thanks to
Don Kindell
Monday, 14
September 1914
Carmania, armed merchant cruiser,
damaged in action with German auxiliary cruiser in Central Atlantic,
three also died of wounds on the 16th, and one on the 21st
BURFITT, James C, Chief Petty Officer, 145283 (Po)
GRANT, Norman, Seaman,
RNR, B 4237
MCLEOD, Kenneth J, Seaman,
RNR, A 5348
RUSSELL, Robert W, Seaman,
RNR, B 5159
SNELL, George J W, Corporal, RMLI, 11773 (Po)
SNOWLING, George, Seaman,
RNR, A 3970
Wednesday, 16
September 1914
Carmania,
armed merchant cruiser, damaged on 14th
DIAPER, Cecil R, Seaman,
RNR, B 4999,
DOW
DUGAN, Peter, Seaman,
RNR, A 4613,
DOW
PIERCE, Richard, Seaman,
RNR, D 1684,
DOW
Monday, 21
September 1914
Carmania, armed
merchant cruiser, damaged on 14th
LAWRENSON,
James, Trimmer, 393494 (MMR),
DOW
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ROYAL NAVY
AWARDS
With thanks to
the London Gazette
Many of the honours and
gallantry awards listed in the London Gazette, do not identify ships or
battles/campaigns. Therefore the following listings may be incomplete
Gazette No. 29024 - 29 DECEMBER 1914 The KING (is) pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath: To be Ordinary Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order: Captain Noel Grant, R.N., (H.M.S. "Carmania"). Commander James Barr, R.N.R., (H.M.S. "Carmania").
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To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. Lieutenant-Commander Edmund Laurence Braithwaite Lockyer, His Majesty's Ship "Carmania."
29123 - 9 APRIL 1915
To receive the Distinguished Service Cross: For services in the action between H.M.S. "Carmania" and the German Armed Merchant Cruiser "Cap Trafalgar," on 14th September, 1914, when the latter vessel was sunk: Chief Gunner Henry Middleton Acting Sub Lieutenant George Frederick Dickens, R.N.R. Midshipman (now Acting Sub Lieutenant) Douglas Nowell Colson, R.N.R.
To receive the Distinguished Service Medal For services in the action between the "Carmania" and the "Cap Trafalgar," 14th September, 1914: John Walker Jones, Chief Petty Officer, ON 116929 (RFR Po A 979) Robert Walter Andrews, Chief Petty Officer, O N 143783 (RFR Po A 3472) Charles Ware, Petty Officer, R.N., O.N. 173515. William Frederick Clark, 2nd Yeoman of Signals, O.N. 220953 (R.F.R. Po. B.3406). Albert Edward Mitchell, Armourer, R.N., O.N. 342296. William Samuel Dyer, Serjeant, R.M.A., R.F.R., R.M.A./4607. Richard Robert Branake, Gunner, R.M.A., R.F.R., R.M.A./10783. William Ernest Wadsworth, Private, R.M.L.I., R.F.R., O.N. Po./9430. Arthur Stanley Fletcher, Seaman, R.N.R., 3746 B. John Hanlon, Seaman, R.N.R., 3177 C. Matthew Green, Chief Steward. Thomas Adams, Officers' Steward (3rd Class).
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