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The small cargo ship Noss Head left Leith, Scotland for Kirkwall on Feb. 25, 1941 carrying bricks, coal and a crew of twelve, after spending some time in Gardenstown Bay, presumably avoiding bad weather, she resumed her voyage on Feb. 27, 1941, she was never seen again. The only evidence found was two rafts, each carrying a body, which washed up in the Orkney's in early March, however they gave up no clue as to what caused the loss. As far as I know no enemy action against the ship was reported although she could have hit a mine, but this is pure speculation. Also as far as I know the wreck has not been found. |
© 2009 Michael W. Pocock MaritimeQuest.com |
Roll of Honour |
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In memory of those who lost their lives in SS Noss Head "As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us" |
Name |
Rate |
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Fowlie, Alexander |
2nd Engineer Officer |
Merchant Navy |
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James, Glyndwr |
Able Seaman |
Royal Navy |
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* |
Knowles, James |
Cook |
Merchant Navy |
McLeman, John L. |
Able Seaman |
Merchant Navy |
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Murray, Henry McI. |
Fireman |
Merchant Navy |
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Noble, George W. |
Able Seaman |
Merchant Navy |
|
* |
Ross, William |
Lamp Trimmer |
Merchant Navy |
Simpson, John |
Fireman |
Merchant Navy |
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Urquhart, James |
1st Officer |
Merchant Navy |
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Wilson, William |
Master |
Merchant Navy |
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Wood, George |
Chief Engineer Officer |
Merchant Navy |
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* |
Cousins | ||
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This list contains the names of 11 known crewmen lost. |
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Feb. 13, 2011 I was thrilled to find your web site and the entry on the SS Noss Head. My Grandfather, Henry McIntosh Murray was the Fireman on board and whilst doing my family tree I have been truly frustrated at the lack of information available, I can't even find a death certificate for him, but you're information has given me long awaited leads that I can now act upon. One of my uncles did some research in 1995 and received the following information from the Guildhall Librarian and Director of Libraries and Art Galleries which they in turn received from Lloyd's Register and the Lloyd's Weekly Casualty Report. 'she left Leith on 25 February 1941 and was due to reach Kirkwall on 27 February. She never arrived, but a raft with two bodies identified as members of the crew of the steamer Noss Head, Leith were washed ashore at Deerness on the afternoon of March 1st. A raft marked "Noss Head, Leith" was found in Tarracliffe Bay on the morning of March 2. A later report quoted the Noss Head's owners as understanding that a further body had been cast ashore at Reiss, near Wick." Vessel details Name: Noss Head Former name : none Place of building: Aberdeen Date: 1921 Builder: A. Hall & Co. Ltd Gross tonnage: 438 Net tonnage: 171 Length in feet: 150.9 Breadth in feet 24.1 Depth in feet: 9.3 Engine type : T3cy. 13", 21 ½"& 35"- 24"180.15 P2RHP Port of registry : Leith Flag: British Owner: A.F.Henry & McGregor Ltd Class: 100AI Source Lloyds Reevtier 1940\41 (steam) The following information is from my mother, she had been told that the Noss Head had been bombed and that one of the bodies had bullet holes in it. I have been unable to verify this as I did not know the names of the crew, but now with those names and places that you mentioned I now have a few lines to follow. One of my biggest wishes is to find a picture of the Noss Head, but so far no luck. Once again a big thank you for including the Noss Head and its crew on your 'Daily Event'. Regards, Liz Grieve Bristol, U.K. |
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Nov. 27, 2011 James Knowles aged 19 cook on Noss Head was found on a raft one mile south of Keiss Harbour on 14 March 1941. Parents Ann Mitchell Duncan/James Knowles who was a grocer in Stonehaven and a cousin of my father. Met the father many times but don't remember ever meeting the son. Poor Kid. I know nothing more of him or ship. William Ross, aged 27 and a cousin of James Knowles, was never found. His parents were William Ross and Jane Knowles, also of Stonehaven. The two lads shared the same grandfather, Andrew Knowles, whitefisher, but had different grandmothers. Bill Taylor |
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2007 Daily Event |