Trawler taken over by the Admiralty as an armed trawler WW1. Sank after hitting a mine. Said to have been identified by an oil lamp with the ships name.
No information that I can find due to war time censorship.
*Update 2025
Magnum was kind enough to send me some information he found in the Public Records Office in the pre internet days..
He also states, "Think an old ex clubman may have the bell, found away from the wreck, on drift dive near the RSLT , worn away on one side if I remember."
From Captain Trawler Patrol Dover.
HMAT 1627 Taipo. Skipper G.J. Sleath RNR , mined this morning 24 June 1917 in position
50-41-30 00-19 E when sweeping in company with Prince Leo at 6.15 am .
The prohibited time for sweeping was 6.40 am when they would have stopped.
She was sweeping to the eastwards with Prince Leo to the south.
She appeared struck on the port side in the fish hold 10ft afterside of the main deck? And sank almost immediately. The boat and raft floated off.
Chrysolite, Prince Leo, Sabreur and Glenesk to the rescue, 5 ratings died 8 survived.
Skipper of the Taipo has done excellent work here and is in line for Group Skipper. I recommend his
Promotion to rank of Chief Skipper.
The enquiry noted that the order for men to remain abaft the midships when sweeping dangerous waters was not carried out. 4 men in the forecastle having breakfast when the explosion occurred
And there was no proper lookout.
Lives of the First World War Webpage commemorating the following men.
Aird, John
Anderson, George
Leadley, Fred
Wake, John Lancaster
Wills, John Alfred
