Anyone got imformation about this ship whose crew of 22 are listed by CWGC 14th October 1915.

Jukes

The COMBE (Official No.135180) was a steel-hulled 2,030-ton steam cargo ship that measured: 275ft 2in with a 39ft beam. Wood, Skinner & Co., Ltd., at Bill Quay on Tyne, near Newcastle completed her as Yard No.180 in December 1912 for Stephenson Clarke & Co., London. Her steel screw was powered by an aft positioned 3-cyl triple expansion steam engine.
The ship was missing from 14 October 1915 while voyaging from Liverpool (left on 12 Oct) to Archangelsk, with ammunition

The men who died:
BRUCE, W. Fireman & Trimmer MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
DAVID, H. A. Sam MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
DICKER, J Able Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
EDMONSTONE, J. 2ndEnge MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
GOWING, Wilfred Donkeyman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
JONES, C. L. Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
KEELEY, Francis Mess Steward MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
LAWRENCE, William Henderson Master MM Combe (London) 14.10.15
LEWIS, William Henry Arthur Boatswain (Bosun) MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
LINCOLN, Chas, Steward MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
MATTHEWS, T. R.1st Mate MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
McDONALD, F. Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
McTAGGART, Sidney Fireman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
MONAGHAN, E. Fireman & Trimmer MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
MONAGHAN, Sidney Fireman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
PENNINGTON, A. Fireman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
SHORTER, Sydney Smithers Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
STEEL, Ernest Ship’s Cook MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
SWANSON, William Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
WALKER, F. W. 2nd Engineer MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
WALKER, Robert 3rd Engineer MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
WHARTON, J. Seaman MM SS Combe (London) drowned 14.10.15
NORFOLK, Arthur G, Seaman, RNR, C 34, Combe, steamship, 14 October 1915, ship lost, drowned

Maybe Michael will know if a U-boat sank her?

Cheers Ron

She was a hired ammunition carrier, disappeared without trace, no cause for lost identified. Somewhere I think I still have information. Few years ago i sold a medal awarded to one of her crew.

Mick

Many thank to you both, this was the missing jig saw piece in respect of several of the crew from North Sheilds. Jukes

Will look for research later. From memory, she was last seen sailing out of convoy. Not seen again and reported as lost. There was no cause of sinking given. She was I believe the only ammunition ship lost during WW1. This brings back memories because it was the first WW1 major research I undertook, 1987, I even had a special readers ticket for the Greenwich Maritime Museum and had dreams of Naval research, then moved to North Yorkshire where not much Navy info was accessible.

Mick

It was William Swansons medal I sold so it will still be about somewhere.

Mick

Ron/Jukes,

Thia looks to be a non-U-boat related loss -- this is one of those periods when U-boats just weren't very active. There is a mine hazard worth mentioning though: the auxiliary minelayer Meteor had laid a bunch mines in the White Sea in June 1915, and ships continued to hit them through about this time.

Other than that, it's either weather or Combe's cargo going boom.

Best wishes,
Michael

Many thanks for addional information. Regards Jukes

As the ship was reported missing two day out of Liverpool it was doubtful whether it reached the White sea. Greatfull for all replies. Regards Jukes.

As (with the exception of the French coal trade and the 'beef runs' to the Netherlands) convoy was not introduced until June 1917, the circumstances of this loss would be enlightening.

The Walkers were father and son. Chief and 3rd Engineers.

Alan

Many thanks for the information.
Jukes