Photo: Vin Mullen
In Jarrow Cemetery there is a family headstone for Bruce which reads:
In loving memory of
John Davidson Bruce
Master Mariner
Born in the Parish of Old Deer Aberdeenshire
4th July 1855
Lost at sea through striking a floating mine
30th May 1919
Also Margaret Bruce wife of the above
Died April 16th 1947 aged 87 years
Also John Bruce Master Mariner
Eldest son of the above
And dearly loved husband of Lizzie Bruce
Died at Jarrow 5th June 1923
Aged 39 years
James & Robert
Sons of the above died in infancy
John Davidson Bruce was born on 6th July 1855 at Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
A Master Mariner, he was Initiated into the Scottish Constitution of the Freemasons.
He was Ticketed Second Mate on 29th April 1886 at Leith, Scotland; as First Mate on 21st October 1887 and as Master 7th February 1890 at Dundee, Scotland.
Residing at ‘Ardallie’, Victoria Terrace, Jarrow, Co. Durham, he became a Joining Member of St. Paul Lodge No 3242, Jarrow, Province of Durham Freemasons on the 2nd April 1908.
He was married to Margaret Bruce later of ‘Ardallie’ Bethecar Road, Harrow-on-the-Hill.
The Cambridge Daily News 31/05/1919 reports:-
"While on a voyage from the Tyne to Baltic the steamship Hans Jost was sunk by a mine about 14 miles off the Tyne yesterday and it is believed that 15 lives have been lost. The ship went down in about three minutes and there was no time to lower the boats. Five men got hold of some wreckage and kept themselves afloat for about two hours until they were picked up by the (Montrose) trawler Swift. The Hans Jost which carried a crew of 19 was formerly a German ship. She was commanded by Capt. Bruce of Jarrow."
The Yorkshire Post 31/05/1919 names four survivors :-
"Andrew Ardle second engineer; William Sybenga, steward; William List, fireman and Thomas Jackson, all Tyne men. Commanded by Captain Bruce, chief officer's name not known he having recently joined, the chief engineer was James Hall and the second mate William Peterson, a Shetland man. One named Millans of Whitley Bay succumbed soon after"
The Shields Daily News 31/05/1919 reports:-
"Survivors Alfred Aadahl, Second Engineer, South Shields; William Sybenga, Steward, South Shields, Walter (M) List, Fireman, Hebburn; Thomas Jackson, Trimmer, South Shields; James Williams Whitley Bay died List of crew:- John D. Bruce, 28 Croft Terrace Jarrow, Master; John Gordon, South Shields, Mate; W. Peterson, Lerwick Shetlands, Second Mate; F. Tyler, South Shields, Boatswain; A Scougall, Newcastle, A.B.; J.H. Millons, Whitley Bay, A.B.; H. Strom, South Shields, A.B.; H. Paramos, North Shields, A.B. ; E. Blancher, South Shields, Sailor; James Hall, South Shields, 1st Engineer; J. Castles, South Shields, Donkeyman; T. Milburn, South Shields, Fireman; J.W. Stafford, South Shields, Fireman; N. Nickson, Ship's Cook, Winchester Street; T. Nixon, Ingoe, Northumberland, Mess Room Boy."
The Hans Jost (954 grt) was built by Flensburger Schiffsbau Ges of Flensburg in 1889. She was managed by Everett & Newbigin of London and was attacked and damaged on the 25th February 1916. Records indicate that she struck a mine off the entrance to the River Tyne. Research has indicated that fifteen of the crew were lost and are recorded on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. A crew member, William Peterson, Boatswain was a native of Sandsting, Shetland Isle and his name is recorded on a Family Memorial in Lerwick New Cemetery, Shetland Isle.
The St. Paul Lodge Minutes of the 5th June 1919 recorded that a letter of sympathy be sent to his relations of the late Brother Captain Bruce.
Estate records indicate that the Mercantile Marine Medal and the British Medal were issued to his widow in March 1922.
Acknowledgments; Vin Mullen; Rev. Youngson; Dorothy Hall
John Davidson Bruce is remembered at Jarrow Masonic Hall J2.51 and in the Masonic Roll of Honour and on our List of Ships’ crews
