HMS Camperdown
Message Board

6.
Aug. 13, 2017

I have a family history that involves my great great grandfather, Arthur Hartt, who was in the engine room of the Camperdown at the time of collision. Legend has it he kept the ship afloat whilst up to his chest in cold water until he was rescued. He later died of pneumonia and was buried with naval honours. Can you help?

Thank you,
Martin Garlick

Reply 1
Aug. 20, 2017

There is an Arthur Hartt, born July 16, 1852 at Ashill, Norfolk, service number 93207, listed at Kew. It appears from his service record that he did serve in CAMPERDOWN. You can obtain his service record via the link I sent you.

Michael W. Pocock
Webmaster


5.
June 5, 2017

My Grandfather was on the deck of the HMS Camperdown when it collided and sank the HMS Victoria in 1893. He had told my Dad that a crewman from the Victoria landed on the deck close to him. My Dad (born in NZ 1912) was 42 when I was born so a large age gap and he passed away many years ago. What makes my "quest" so difficult is that my Grandfather went on to the Australasian Squadron, based in Sydney, and went "awol" in Port Lyttleton in NZs South Island, where he changed his name to avoid capture. I have searched Police Gazettes and because I have no name, a very small needle in a huge haystack. I would very much like to try and find out a little more about him. I had hoped to locate a crew List from the Camperdown and had been to Kew Gardens a few years ago, but was unable to find where to search. Who or where are the crew records kept from yesteryear?

Kind Regards,
Mike Gibson


4.
Feb. 28, 2017

I notice that other people have asked you if you know where a crew list might be obtained for HMS Camperdown at the time of her collision with HMS Victoria in 1893. I understand that my great grandfather was on board at the time and it would be great to get confirmation of this. His name was William Edwards. 

Leonie Lockwood
Gloucestershire, U.K.


3.
May 4, 2012

I am trying to trace my grandfather James Sullivan. The attached document shows he served as Boatswain on HMS Camperdown at the time HMS Camperdown rammed and sank HMS Victoria in 1893. My Father  Patrick Joseph O Sullivan was born in Bristol in  March 1911 and was reared by his Mother Annie Sullivan. My Father cancelled his mothers pension from the Naval Service after her death in Dublin in January 1945.  Any assistance or suggestions much appreciated. Yours sincerely

Patrick O. Sullivan
Dublin, Ireland

 

2.
Dec. 27, 2011

I wonder if you know where I might get a crew list for the Camperdown at the time of her collision with HMS Victoria in 1893. I am told that my grandfather William Henry Dean was a seaman on board the Camperdown at the time of the collision, and it would be good to get confirmation of this family story. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Malcolm Riley


1.
May 26, 2008

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated in the never-ending search of our family history. Upon the death of Queen Victoria, a grgr uncle, James L. Kerr, received a gift from the Queen's estate, as did all of the men in her service at the time of her death. It was a cup and saucer and is still in the hands of a his grgr niece, Mary Beresford Moreland. 

Recently I found a souvenir spoon, commemorating Queen Victoria's 60th anniversary of her coronation.  As well as Her Majesty's profile, the spoon also has an engraving of the ship "Camperdown".  Understanding that the Camperdown was a famous battleship, is it possible that it was converted to Her Majesty's private service, or that she traveled aboard this ship in later years? Would it be possible to obtain any kind of information regarding the men who served on Her Majesty's ship Camperdown at the time of her death, or a listing of crew members of any other of her private ships? Once again, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Roberta Kerr
Quesnel, BC, Canada




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