In Bishopwearmouth Cemetery is the grave of Acting Chief Mate Robert Clark Bell serving on S.S. Muristan with the Merchant Navy who died 18/11/1916.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following;
Robert Clark Bell was one of 11 children all of whom had survived by 1911.
His father John Ferguson Bell, who was born at Sunderland, historically in County Durham, in 1861, was, as his father before him, a tripe dresser for his own account. John Ferguson was married to a local girl who was born in 1882, Sarah Ann Fishwick, she was the daughter of shipwright William Fishwick a native of Stockton and Jane Hedley born at Hedworth, County Durham.
The first of their numerous children, who by 1891 were 6 in total, Sarah Jane Bell, was born at Sunderland in 1882, followed by Edith 1894, William Thomas, October 3rd 1885, John Ferguson Jnr 1887, Ethel 1888 and Robert Clark in 1891, the latter whilst the family was living at 7, Saint Mark’s Buildings, Sunderland.
Over the next 10 years Sarah Ann brought to term a further 5 children, Thomas in 1892, Ernest 1896, Alice, March 18th 1897, Margaret Amelia 1899 and Gordon who was born at 43, Addison Street, Sunderland in 1901, from where his father, listed as a master tripe preparer and employer, ran his own business from their home. Although their older children were of school age none are listed as scholars. Edith (16) was serving an apprenticeship as a dressmaker, William Thomas as a house joiner and John Ferguson Jnr as a pianoforte music teacher.
By 1911 they had moved into 5 rooms at 22, Laura Street, Sunderland. John Ferguson Bell Snr had abandoned his business and was now employed as a general labourer at the shipyards. Ethel (22) assisted her mother with household duties, Ernest (15) was a coach builder, Alice, Margaret Amelia and Gordon, 14, 12, and 10 years of age were scholars.
Sarah Jane Bell (28) in 1911 was living and working as a cookery superintendent at the County Lunatic Asylum, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffordshire. William Thomas Bell was employed as a joiner at the shipyard, he was married with 2 children and living in 2 rooms at Ethel Street, Sunderland. Blacksmith John Ferguson Bell Jnr may have already emigrated to Canada where he was married in the district of Sudbury, Ontario, September 22nd 1913 to Eliza Dixon.
Robert Clark Bell who had served as a sea apprentice (Merchant Navy) at Middlesbrough from September 10th 1906 until 1910 with J. M. Leonard & Sons, Cleveland Buildings, was awarded a certificate of competency as Second Mate of a foreign going steamship, August 21st 1911 and May 7th 1913 as First Mate.
During the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1916 Robert Clark Bell was joined in marriage to Lily Hall of whom at present no further details are known. The couple settled at 35, Harrowgate Street, Sunderland.
Robert had secured a position as Acting Chief Mate aboard the S.S. Muristan. She had left the River Tyne and was en-route to Rouen, France. Saturday, November 18th 1916, at 1 arm, she was off the coast at Blyth when her steering was rendered useless and driven by fierce gale force winds and a raging sea the S.S. Muristan became stuck fast in the sand.
The captain and the chief officer were washed overboard. The storm was relentless and the following morning several of the crew attempted to reach the shore wearing life-belts, three of them were saved by men who waded into the surf and dragged them to shore. The remainder of the crew took shelter on board and it was not until Tuesday, November 21st, after several unsuccessful attempts, that the Lifeboat crew made it on board and rescued the 16 surviving crew members and brought then safely ashore at Blyth.
The lifeless body of Acting Chief Mate Robert Clark Bell, who had taken the place of the chief officer who was taking a voyage off, was washed ashore. The funeral cortege left his home at 1.30, Friday, November 23rd 1916 and after a service at Saint Ignatius Church at 1.45 p.m., Robert Clark Bell was laid to rest within Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, County Durham. He was 25 years of age.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
There is no CWGC entry for Acting Chief Mate Bell.
Robert Clark Bell is remembered at Hendon on H123.02 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
