Autumn 1917
Submarine Scout Zero 16 and SSZ 17 RNAS Pembroke.Within weeks of being delivered to the base SSZ16 and SSZ17 were flying daily on a range of missions and like 2018 strong winds featured during the first month of the Autumn.
This extract from the flight log shows October 1917.
This information is taken from the Dailey Reports (initially Form 1519, established in March 1915, later replaced by Form S1575 in June 1917) issued by RNAS airship stations at 6 pm and sent to the Admiralty Airship Department.
All research and presentation by Brian J Turpin MRAeS and reproduced by kind permission.
SSZ16October• On 1st October, flight of 8 hrs 25 min. (0947 – 1812)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol of Bristol Channel.No flight details.• On 2nd October, flight of 4 hrs 50 min. (1340 – 1830)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.The area around Smalls was well patrolled, but nothing of interest was seen. On returning to the Station several runs over the mirror and Lewis Gun practice carried out.• On 3rd October, flight of 5 hrs 51 min. (0714 – 1305)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Sighted a torpedoed vessel and dropped two bombs on a dark patch of water. Some oil was subsequently seen. No further report.• On 4th October, flight of 1 hr 5 min. (0947 – 1052)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Flt Sub-Lt W Catchpole and W/T Operator.Instructional flight round Aerodrome.Instructed to land as wind had risen to 22 mph gusting 29 mph and heavy rain falling. Further flying impossible throughout the day owing to wind force (30 – 40 mph)On 6th October, whilst being taken out of the shed was caught by a gust of wind. Owing to the slippery nature of the ground, and the fact that the wind screens are too close together, the landing party were unable to hold the ship and the starboard elevator struck the wind screen, and a hole torn in the stern. The ship was taken back into the shed immediately and the necessary repairs carried out. The ship will be in commission tomorrow.Damage to starboard elevator plane and envelope.• On 11th October, flight of 9 hrs 7 min. (0705 – 1612)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Patrol between Smalls and Tuskar, and divert traffic entering the Irish Sea.“At 1110, a report having been received that a ship had been torpedoed in O61, I ordered SSZ 16and SSZ 17 to proceed there immediately. On arrival, the torpedoed ship was sighted under adequate escort making for Waterford Harbour. The escorting ships had nothing to report. The airships remained over the area until it was necessary to recall them for escort duties with the convoy, the Vice Admiral being anxious that all the available airships should escort the convoy in view of his shortage of surface craft.”Both ships returned at 1612 and 1555 respectively due to increasing bad weather.• On 12th October, flight of 3 hrs 40 min. (0902 – 1242)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Patrol in the vicinity of Smalls.Recalled owing to poor visibility.On 13th October, detailed for local bomb dropping and Lewis Gun practice.As the ship was being taken out of the shed a gust of wind caught her; the starboard elevator hit the side of the shed and was slightly damaged. The necessary repairs are being carried out. Under the circumstances I considered it inadvisable to take any further ships out of the shed.Weather conditions very unsettled. The barometer rose briskly all day as the consequence of which a gale was forecast by the Meteorological Office.• On 14th October, flight of 1 hr 15 min. (1730 – 1845)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Bomb dropping practice.• On 15th October, flight of 9 hrs 20 min. (0740 – 1700)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Patrol to Tuska. At 0840 sighted a Drifter blown up by a mine of Skokholm. Many mines were sighted in the vicinity. This was reported to Base, and surface Patrol Vessels, which destroyed mines by gun fire.At 1100 a submarine was reported 8 miles SW of Coningberg. SSZ 16 ordered to proceed there.Recalled at 1430 as wind was backing and freshening.• On 16th October, flight of 7 hrs 22 min. (1123 – 1845)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol and Escort Duties.No flight details.Unable to fly until 1123 as new rudder controls had to be fitted.• On 19th October, flight of 10 hrs 5 min. (0733 – 1738)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Patrolled areas 87 and 89, and then to Hartland Point, but nothing of special interest was seen.• On 22nd October, flight of 4 hrs 28 min. (0814 – 1242)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Proceeded to patrol to the Smalls.Proceeded to search Area 54, with SSZ 17, to relieve C 5a searching for submarine. (See C 5a fordetails) two Colliers warned to alter course nearer to the coast and other surface craft warned. At1205, SSZ 16 and SSZ 17 were recalled owing to increasing bad weather. Both landed successfully in winds between 27 and 31 mph. The wind increased during the day and no further flying was possible.• On 27th October, two flights: (1) 3 hrs 3 min. (0722 – 1025)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Patrol to Smalls.No flight details.(2) 5 hrs 35 min. (1330 – 1905)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Patrol to Cardigan Bay, a submarine having been reported in that vicinity.Total flight time: 8 hrs 38 min.• On 28th October, two flights: (1) 2 hrs 43 min. (0811 – 1054)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Proceeded to Cardigan Bay.Returned owing to wireless trouble.(2) 2 hrs 26 min. (1558 – 1824)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.After necessary repairs proceeded to patrol to St David’s Head.Total flight time: 5 hrs 9 min.• On 29th October, flight of 40 minutes. (0905 – 0945)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Bomb dropping practice.At 0920 ordered to land as the wind had reached 22 mph and was increasing.• On 31st October, flight of 2 hrs 15 min. (0853 – 1108)Flt Sub-Lt J E Barrs, Engineer and W/T Operator.Patrol.Patrol to Coningberg. At 0940 to patrol area 65, and escort Convoy due to leave Milford Haven at1400.Al ships recalled at 1025 owing to unsettled state of weather.Total flight time for October: 83 hours 10 minutes.
SSZ17
October
Changing engine on 1 st October.
Repairs to elevators on 2nd October. Adjustments to engine.
Ready for trial at noon on 3rd October. Unable to carry out same owing to bad weather.
• On 4th October, flight of 25 minutes. (1008 – 1033)
Flt Lt S E Taylor with:
Lt Betteridge (Engineer Officer) and AM Manning (W/T)
Engine trials and Lewis Gun practice.
Instructed to land as wind had risen to 22 mph gusting 29 mph and heavy rain falling.
Further flying impossible throughout the day owing to wind force (30 – 40 mph)
• On 6th October, flight of 1 hr 5 min. (1740 – 1845)
Flt Sub-Lt L Chivers, Engineer and W/T Operator.
Bomb dropping practice and W/T test.
• On 11th October, flight of 8 hrs 25 min. (0730 – 1555)
Flt Sub-Lt L Chivers, Engineer and W/T Operator.
Patrol.
To patrol Area 65 prior to the sailing of Convoy from Milford Haven in the afternoon.
“At 1110, a report having been received that a ship had been torpedoed in O61, I ordered SSZ 16
and SSZ 17 to proceed there immediately. On arrival, the torpedoed ship was sighted under
adequate escort making for Waterford Harbour. The escorting ships had nothing to report. The
airships remained over the area until it was necessary to recall them for escort duties with the
convoy, the Vice Admiral being anxious that all the available airships should escort the convoy in
view of his shortage of surface craft.”
Both ships returned at 1612 and 1555 respectively due to increasing bad weather.
• On 12th October, flight of 1 hr 28 min. (0955 – 1123)
Flt Sub-Lt W Catchpole, Engineer and W/T Operator.
Bomb dropping over mirror.
No patrol at Lt. W Catchpole has insufficient experience to patrol in prevailing weather.
• On 13th October, flight of 3 hrs 20 min. (1213 – 1533)
Flt Sub-Lt L Chivers, Engineer and W/T Operator.
Patrol.
Weather conditions very unsettled. The barometer rose briskly all day as consequence of which a
gale was forecast by the Meteorological Office.
At 1130 a message was received from the Vice Admiral in Charge, Milford, that SS Cape Corse,
which had been torpedoed the previous morning about 6 miles West of St Govan’s Head, was
believed to be still afloat as a derelict, and that all his patrol craft were searching for her, but been
unable to find her. He further stated that a ship in the immediate vicinity of Lundy was making
SOS signals. He regarded these matters, more particularly the finding of “Cape Course” as very
important. In consequence C 5a