H.M.S. Hawke
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Mountain was born September 13th 1885 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, one of 2 known children, both boys, sons of James Mountain and Annie Stewart natives of Boston Spa, Leeds, Yorkshire born 1858. They were married in the District of Leeds during the 2nd quarter of 1891.
George Mountain first enlisted in the Royal Navy, February 17th 1904 at the age of 19. He was assigned as a stoker aboard H.M.S. Acheron with the serial number 306050. He served on a further 9 vessels and was transferred to his last ship H.M.S. Hawke, February 4th 1913 where the Hawke was part of a training squadron at Queenstown in Ireland.
In August 1914 on the outbreak of war Hawke formed part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron operating on blockade duties between the Shetland islands and Norway. In October they were deployed further south as part of the effort to stop German warships from attacking a troop convoy from Canada and by the 15th were off Aberdeen. Hawke picked up post from her sister ship Endymion and then proceeded without zig zagging to re-join her station. She was out of sight of the squadron when at 10.30 a single torpedo from the German Submarine U-9 struck Hawke, which quickly capsized.
The ships of the squadron were ordered to retreat at speed to the N. W. but no response was received from the Hawke. The destroyer Swift was dispatched from Scapa Flow to search for Hawke but only found a raft containing 1 officer and 21 men, a further 49 men in a boat were rescued by a Norwegian steamer, 524 officers and men died including Captain P. E. T. Williams. As a stoker George would have had very little chance to escape after the ship was hit.
Acting Leading Stoker 306050 George Mountain died October 15th 1914, his body was not recovered for burial. His sacrifice is recorded on Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 4, Chatham in Kent. He was 30 years old and single.
His father received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to his home address of 3, Thomas Street, Craghead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Mountain is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04 and on our List of Ships’ crews
