The steel steam trawler Thomas Stratten was launched from the Selby yard of Cochrane and Sons Ltd (Yard No 601) on 11th April 1914. She measured 136.9′ x 23.6′ x 12.2′ and her tonnage was 309 gross tons, 126 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine by Amos & Smith delivering 90 registered horse power. Built for Pickering and Haldane, Hull she was registered in this port H116 on 11th July. In 1917 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as a patrol vessel (no 3000)
Builder’s profile drawing Thomas Stratten
Lloyds register 1915
On 19th September, 1917 Thomas Stratten, under the command of Lieutenant A Bishop, was on patrol duty off the west coast of Lewis. Two other trawlers, Lord Lansdowne and Arley, completed the group. That evening the weather deteriorated and they decided to steam towards the Butt of Lewis to seek some shelter for the night. The area around the northern tip of Lewis was dangerous and a favourite location for enemy mines and submarines waiting to catch vessels steaming to and from Scapa Flow from the North Atlantic. Bishop had in fact previously been ordered to keep a minimum of six miles away from the Butt of Lewis for this very reason.
The three ships took up a position north north west of the lighthouse about five or six miles offshore and the crews settled down for the night. Despite the rough seas the night passed uneventfully and all of the following morning the ships lay with their bows pointing west north west into the prevailing wind and swell awaiting orders from fleet command. As the crew aboard Thomas Stratten settled down to their lunch, just after noon, their ship was rocked by a massive explosion. The crews of the other trawlers later testified that they saw a huge spout of water near the bow of the ship. The unfortunate men in the mess, which was close to the bow of the ship, were killed instantly and the trawler began to sink by the bow almost immediately. The forward lifeboat was also destroyed in the explosion but, thankfully, the rear boat was undamaged and easily launched for the remainder of the crew to escape. They were quickly picked up by Lord Lansdowne. After a vain search for further survivors they set off for Stornoway to report the loss of the Thomas Stratten.
Barrage 136 laid by U-71 likely caused loss of Thomas Stratten
The subsequent court of enquiry, which reported the position of the loss at approximately 58° 33′ N, 006° 23′ W, was unable to determine the cause of the explosion with absolute certainty. Some evidence suggested that the magazine, which was positioned forward, could have exploded but the evidence of the water spout seen by the crew members of the other trawlers strongly suggested that the Thomas Stratten had hit a mine.
