Hold on Sadsac.
I have searched the web, been misled on Wiki, now It's time to ask the experts.
H.M.S. Elfin, besides being a fine steam Recip TRV and a submarine tender, was the name of the submarine shore base in Blyth. Does any one have any links to a good source of info about the Blyth Elfin?
Alan
Full Version: H.M.S Elfin
Alan,
HMS Elfin was the name of the shore base in Blyth (later the Welesley Nautical School), the Captain/Commanding Officer of all shore establishments had to fly his pennant on a seagoing vessel to conform to the Naval Discipline Act. During the first world war period this was HMS Elfin(tender) 125 tons and built in 1905, which I believe was sunk and then salvaged she was sold in 1928.
Blyth council are at the forefront in preserving the historic link with the submarine base and the town, they would have good info on the base itself.
For photos and layout of the shore establishment I would look towards info on the school.
Regards Charles
HMS Elfin was the name of the shore base in Blyth (later the Welesley Nautical School), the Captain/Commanding Officer of all shore establishments had to fly his pennant on a seagoing vessel to conform to the Naval Discipline Act. During the first world war period this was HMS Elfin(tender) 125 tons and built in 1905, which I believe was sunk and then salvaged she was sold in 1928.
Blyth council are at the forefront in preserving the historic link with the submarine base and the town, they would have good info on the base itself.
For photos and layout of the shore establishment I would look towards info on the school.
Regards Charles
ALAN, bags you get the GHOST of `Christmas Past' to summon up CLIO on GWF, if anyone knows about Blyth shore base CLIO does. ELFIN, after the base `pinched' her name became HMS NETTLE & was the base `work ship' - she was proceeded by HMS MOLUSC which sadly was blown to bits by mine. MOLUSC was yacht formerly owned by Guiness family. WRENS of Blyth Base produced a very interesting `magazine', some of which pages are still to be seen. All, of course, WW11.
Sadsac
Sadsac
Sadsac,
"WRENS of Blyth Base produced a very interesting `magazine', some of which pages are still to be seen. All, of course, WW11."
Interesting to get hold of that or a look anyway, the only magazine I have seen is the "Elfin Echo" which was the magazine of the 6th Submarine Flotilla.
Regards Charles
"WRENS of Blyth Base produced a very interesting `magazine', some of which pages are still to be seen. All, of course, WW11."
Interesting to get hold of that or a look anyway, the only magazine I have seen is the "Elfin Echo" which was the magazine of the 6th Submarine Flotilla.
Regards Charles
Thanks Charles/Sadsaks.
One or two things puzzle me though.
The Wellesley (shore) school, was set up after the T.S. Wellesley was damaged B.E.R. by fire on the Tyne. 1870ish I think. The school continued up until about 2000, when it was demolished, the land still being barren. The figure head and memorial plaque's whereabouts are unknown at present.
Now, as Elfin was later on a sub base, I assume this was in South Harbour, and would have been a cordoned off base, separate from the bad boys school (as Wellesley was known by the locals.) Wellesley continued through WW2, So Elfin must have been elsewhere.
I went to Blyth civic centre, the archives at the Library and then the cemetary earlier this month. Helpful in the civic centre, pointing me to the library, but the Library archives/family history section is closed untill February, due to refurbishment. At the cemetary, plans were not available, due to refurbishment of superintendants offices, so I had to just wonder around the cemy. I remembered it had a good memorial to some sub mariners from WW1, but darkness came and I missed finding it. The market place I remember, had another memorial to the submariners, but the entire market place was torn up and new stones were being laid, (made it hell for the Woolies bargain hunters). I later found out that the anchor memorial has been moved to St Marys Church grounds, Just up from the square. All in all the off chance of a day in Blyth ended up like a trip to building site.
In the cemy I found several WRAF graves and one of Dorris Hook, a Wren from Blyth and stationed at Elfin, so I would be interested in the magazine also.
Meanwhile I will look into Wellesley.
Oooodin, Ooooodin, oops wrong film. Clio, Clio, that should do the trick.
Sadsak, how about some more pages being translated please, a video of the engine's working would not go miss either.
Alan
One or two things puzzle me though.
The Wellesley (shore) school, was set up after the T.S. Wellesley was damaged B.E.R. by fire on the Tyne. 1870ish I think. The school continued up until about 2000, when it was demolished, the land still being barren. The figure head and memorial plaque's whereabouts are unknown at present.
Now, as Elfin was later on a sub base, I assume this was in South Harbour, and would have been a cordoned off base, separate from the bad boys school (as Wellesley was known by the locals.) Wellesley continued through WW2, So Elfin must have been elsewhere.
I went to Blyth civic centre, the archives at the Library and then the cemetary earlier this month. Helpful in the civic centre, pointing me to the library, but the Library archives/family history section is closed untill February, due to refurbishment. At the cemetary, plans were not available, due to refurbishment of superintendants offices, so I had to just wonder around the cemy. I remembered it had a good memorial to some sub mariners from WW1, but darkness came and I missed finding it. The market place I remember, had another memorial to the submariners, but the entire market place was torn up and new stones were being laid, (made it hell for the Woolies bargain hunters). I later found out that the anchor memorial has been moved to St Marys Church grounds, Just up from the square. All in all the off chance of a day in Blyth ended up like a trip to building site.
In the cemy I found several WRAF graves and one of Dorris Hook, a Wren from Blyth and stationed at Elfin, so I would be interested in the magazine also.
Meanwhile I will look into Wellesley.
Oooodin, Ooooodin, oops wrong film. Clio, Clio, that should do the trick.
Sadsak, how about some more pages being translated please, a video of the engine's working would not go miss either.
Alan
Alan,
A drastic change occured in 1914 when the training ship was destroyed by fire, although all boys were brought ashore safely to reside until 1918 in the Tynemouth Plaza, on a temporary basis. An appeal was launched and raised £22,000 which allowed the school to take over the World War One submarine base at Blyth where it has been based since - apart from a period from the Second World War when the school evacuated to Hamsterly Forest in County Durham. It didn't become an Approved School until 1933.
Sad you never found any information in Blyth, photos of the school between wars are of the original shorebase 'HMS Elfin' there are a lot on the web.
Regards Charles
A drastic change occured in 1914 when the training ship was destroyed by fire, although all boys were brought ashore safely to reside until 1918 in the Tynemouth Plaza, on a temporary basis. An appeal was launched and raised £22,000 which allowed the school to take over the World War One submarine base at Blyth where it has been based since - apart from a period from the Second World War when the school evacuated to Hamsterly Forest in County Durham. It didn't become an Approved School until 1933.
Sad you never found any information in Blyth, photos of the school between wars are of the original shorebase 'HMS Elfin' there are a lot on the web.
Regards Charles
ALAN, very sorry to do this to you, BUT, it may be better if you transferred this ELFIN questioneer to (say) WW2 TALK (put in WW2 & follow on). This ELFIN joined Fleet in 1933 & did WW11. Perhaps others (Joseph etc ?? more knowledgable fellows than I ) will advise you further.
I do not mind but it has been pointed out to `others' that this is WW1 / GWF site !
If you require further info ELFIN in Holland now, please let me know - as the `Liaison Officer' HMS / SS ELFIN I will do what I can, depending on what you wish re ELFIN. She is a marvellous `old girl' and is probably ???? the only `war wagon' & steam vessel from WW2 still going ???
Will dig out what I have on BLYTH / ELFIN & see how you react to this request !!
Please do not take this a a `put you down' - only saying this site is WW1, SO, !!!!
Regards Sadsac
I do not mind but it has been pointed out to `others' that this is WW1 / GWF site !
If you require further info ELFIN in Holland now, please let me know - as the `Liaison Officer' HMS / SS ELFIN I will do what I can, depending on what you wish re ELFIN. She is a marvellous `old girl' and is probably ???? the only `war wagon' & steam vessel from WW2 still going ???
Will dig out what I have on BLYTH / ELFIN & see how you react to this request !!
Please do not take this a a `put you down' - only saying this site is WW1, SO, !!!!
Regards Sadsac
ALAN, sad that you wondered around BLYTH `building site'.
In the Cemetery are the graves of two Submariners killed when they took a short cut from the Pub to Base, but stumbled into a minefield - two ERA's - valuable to the RNSS at tha time & sad loss.
There is also the famous story of the `bottle of whisky' non consumed at SEATON-CAREW, now in RNSM. Also `Blyth but Blind' Sub entering BLYTH with peep stick shot away !!
My last posting - ignore - unless the GWF `Hierarchy' also give you the `elbow / same advice' ??!!
Mention of WW11 does get `some' members of GWF `jumping up & down' - fair do's, it is a WW1 site & most of the info I posted is / was WW11.
JOSEPH, you say more photo's BLYTH Wellesley School / ELFIN Naval Base - WHERE ???? Please !
Sadsac
In the Cemetery are the graves of two Submariners killed when they took a short cut from the Pub to Base, but stumbled into a minefield - two ERA's - valuable to the RNSS at tha time & sad loss.
There is also the famous story of the `bottle of whisky' non consumed at SEATON-CAREW, now in RNSM. Also `Blyth but Blind' Sub entering BLYTH with peep stick shot away !!
My last posting - ignore - unless the GWF `Hierarchy' also give you the `elbow / same advice' ??!!
Mention of WW11 does get `some' members of GWF `jumping up & down' - fair do's, it is a WW1 site & most of the info I posted is / was WW11.
JOSEPH, you say more photo's BLYTH Wellesley School / ELFIN Naval Base - WHERE ???? Please !
Sadsac
Sadsac,
It been demolished;
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=14864
some older pics
http://www.wellesley.coolfreepages.com/album.htm
Lots more have a google
Regards Charles
It been demolished;
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=14864
some older pics
http://www.wellesley.coolfreepages.com/album.htm
Lots more have a google
Regards Charles
What do you want to know about Elfin ?
JOSEPH, correct you are - it was indeed the `magazine' ELFIN Echoe's to which I was referring.
Some 20/25 pages are around - anyone know of more ??
Sadsac
Some 20/25 pages are around - anyone know of more ??
Sadsac
I suppose it's too much to hope that HMS Elfin had a sister ship called HMS Safety?
George, - good looking `chap' !!!
No, `Sister ship' to ELFIN was HMS REDWING.
No, `Sister ship' to ELFIN was HMS REDWING.
QUOTE (Clio @ Dec 27 2008, 11:52 AM) 
What do you want to know about Elfin ?
Lets start with: do you have any WWI era pics of her?
The vessel only became associated with Blyth in WW2 and would therefore appear to be ultra vires to this Forum (can you honestly fathom the mentalility of anyone anal enough to go around searching for WW2 related postings just so they can give the progenitor a verbal kicking ...? Strange and rather worrying behaviour but it has happened in the past, I assure you)
As for WW1, yes I know of photographs of 11th Flotilla in its glory days, with the G, J and a few E boats clustered around HMS TITANIA
As for WW1, yes I know of photographs of 11th Flotilla in its glory days, with the G, J and a few E boats clustered around HMS TITANIA
QUOTE (sadsac @ Dec 27 2008, 09:51 AM)
ALAN, sad that you wondered around BLYTH `building site'.
In the Cemetery are the graves of two Submariners killed when they took a short cut from the Pub to Base, but stumbled into a minefield - two ERA's - valuable to the RNSS at tha time & sad loss.
There is also the famous story of the `bottle of whisky' non consumed at SEATON-CAREW, now in RNSM. Also `Blyth but Blind' Sub entering BLYTH with peep stick shot away !!
My last posting - ignore - unless the GWF `Hierarchy' also give you the `elbow / same advice' ??!!
Mention of WW11 does get `some' members of GWF `jumping up & down' - fair do's, it is a WW1 site & most of the info I posted is / was WW11.
JOSEPH, you say more photo's BLYTH Wellesley School / ELFIN Naval Base - WHERE ???? Please !
Sadsac
In the Cemetery are the graves of two Submariners killed when they took a short cut from the Pub to Base, but stumbled into a minefield - two ERA's - valuable to the RNSS at tha time & sad loss.
There is also the famous story of the `bottle of whisky' non consumed at SEATON-CAREW, now in RNSM. Also `Blyth but Blind' Sub entering BLYTH with peep stick shot away !!
My last posting - ignore - unless the GWF `Hierarchy' also give you the `elbow / same advice' ??!!
Mention of WW11 does get `some' members of GWF `jumping up & down' - fair do's, it is a WW1 site & most of the info I posted is / was WW11.
JOSEPH, you say more photo's BLYTH Wellesley School / ELFIN Naval Base - WHERE ???? Please !
Sadsac
What do you want to know about TS Wellesley or Wellesley Nautical School as it was later known?
HI tswellesly.
I had my knuckles gently whacked, so have been keeping mun. Best not too upset too many people.
What I am interested in is the original layout and perimeter of the base around south harbour, buildings wharf's etc, and its development, not so much the accomodation area which was the predessor of TS Wessley.
When I get over to Amsterdam again I will certainly be visiting Elfin.
Alan
I had my knuckles gently whacked, so have been keeping mun. Best not too upset too many people.
What I am interested in is the original layout and perimeter of the base around south harbour, buildings wharf's etc, and its development, not so much the accomodation area which was the predessor of TS Wessley.
When I get over to Amsterdam again I will certainly be visiting Elfin.
Alan
QUOTE (Ghost @ Jul 26 2009, 07:35 PM)
HI tswellesly.
I had my knuckles gently whacked, so have been keeping mun. Best not too upset too many people.
What I am interested in is the original layout and perimeter of the base around south harbour, buildings wharf's etc, and its development, not so much the accomodation area which was the predessor of TS Wessley.
When I get over to Amsterdam again I will certainly be visiting Elfin.
Alan
I had my knuckles gently whacked, so have been keeping mun. Best not too upset too many people.
What I am interested in is the original layout and perimeter of the base around south harbour, buildings wharf's etc, and its development, not so much the accomodation area which was the predessor of TS Wessley.
When I get over to Amsterdam again I will certainly be visiting Elfin.
Alan
Alan
You're not a German spy are you ??
Your best bet for that sort of info is Blyth Harbour Board or Tyne & Wear Archives or The Northumberland Archives at Woodhorn.http://www.portofblyth.co.uk/index.php
http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/
http://www.northumberland.gov.uk:80/default.aspx?page=1665
One starting point would be a comparison between a 1904 O/S Map and the 1924 version (...or better still try Kew ADM 137/1894) though the 1915 regime tended to be ad hoc, utilising the infamous 'German sheds' and storage huts (formerly used to stockpile pit props imported from the Baltic) fringing the South Harbour. In fact little space ashore was required 1915-1917 because of Titania's presence - periscope dessication, torpedo storage, workshops and engine maintenance. Following expansion, the 'Y' shaped block at the nautical school certainly served as a wardroom in 1918 and some of the huts were also used as accommodation.
Ghost
There are two cemeteries at Blyth, the Beach Ceme and a huge one at Cowpen (pronouced Coopin), just a bit further out from Blyth town and both have a lot of CWGC graves in them.
Ron
There are two cemeteries at Blyth, the Beach Ceme and a huge one at Cowpen (pronouced Coopin), just a bit further out from Blyth town and both have a lot of CWGC graves in them.
Ron
Thanks all.
I have checked out Woodhorn and Blandford House, but not thouroughly, as Blyth was not on my Agenda at that time.
As a lad, Cowpen Cemy was on the other side of our garden wall, thats how I remember the Submariners memorial there. In fact my great uncle cut the grass there, a dab hand with a scythe.
Alan
I have checked out Woodhorn and Blandford House, but not thouroughly, as Blyth was not on my Agenda at that time.
As a lad, Cowpen Cemy was on the other side of our garden wall, thats how I remember the Submariners memorial there. In fact my great uncle cut the grass there, a dab hand with a scythe.
Alan
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