William McCarty

Photo: Jams Pasby

Grace Appleby, niece of William McCarty, has made these notes from William's diary, which is now lodged with the Imperial War Museum.

Sept. 27th 1916 - 29 survivors off Fair Isle. One wounded and eventually died RNR lieutenant. Survivors from armed yacht and armed trawler. One English cargo vessel sunk by torpedo and gunfire.

March 27th 1917 - Norwegian steamer sunk by bombs placed in hold by German submarine commander 13 of crew saved by Sylvia.

May 19th 1917 - Left Lerwick with convoy, arrived at Trondhiem with convoy safe at 6.45. 6.48 returned with convoy to England. 18 miles from Norwegian coast prop boats torpedoed at stern, traced wake of submarine, same appeared on serface, conning tower awash,she dipped Sylvia close on her track went over her. Dropped depth charge and I saw distinctly parts of submarine, before she went to the bottom. Happily all the crew of the torpedoed vessel were saved by Sylvia - 15 survivors.

Left Lerwick with convoy Friday 4-00pm . 30 miles from Norwegian coast steamer torpedoed close to us, sank within 5 minutes. Sylvia saved the crew of 28 all told including two women who were left on board. Saved 14 ship arrived. Sylvia arrives at Bergen with survivors and three cheers given for Sylvia.

May 23rd (see above) SS Norway was torpedoed and sank in 4 minutes 28 saved inc. 2 women.

Monday May 28th 1917 With convoy going to Norway. Norwegian steamer sunk by two torpedoes striking her midships and aft. Sank in two and a half minutes. 15 survivors taken onboard remainder picked up by mine sweeper. No lives lost!

July 6th h Rescued 40 of whom 7 were women of the Danish steamer Flora, and landed them at Lerwick, their boat being torpedoed.

July 31st Sunday. Picked up 71 survivors from SS Adelia including one women, 126 miles from Swarback, 3 of crew and 1 coolie wounded from shrapnel. Left ship in burning condition after being shelled by German submarine.

Sept 29th 1917 - 2-45pm Sighted German submarine (UC55) and engaged and sank her, bringing into Lerwick ten prisoners - sunk about 14 miles south of Bar Rock near Lerwick, from commencement of the action to the sinking of the submarine 12 minutes, Saturday sept. 29th from 2-45pm disappeared 2-47pm.

Up to date we have rescued 239 survivors and sunk two submarines, Taken 10 prisoners off last submarine sunk.

Paid off Sylvia 23/11/1917

Joined Roebuck 1st Feb. 1918

This is exactly taken from William's notebook

William McCarty is remembered in Tynemouth on T36.14 page 18 and on List of Ships’ crews

The CWGC entry for Engine Room Artificer McCarty