Top
Home → Boats → Submarines → E Class → E50

E 50

Built By: John Brown and Co (Cylde)
Build Group: E3
Fate: Submarine E50 was lost in the North Sea on, or about 1/2/1918. The Submarine is believed to have struck a mine near the South Dogger Light Vessel.
E50 launch
E50 launch
Onboard E50
Onboard E50

Upload An Image Of This Boat

Commanders
1917: Lieutenant Commander   Kenneth Michell
1918: Lieutenant   Ralph Edgar Snook

Submarine E50 was a Group 2 E Class Submarine which was ordered in November 1914 as part of the Emergency War Order. The Submarine was ordered from the Clydeside Yard of Messrs. John Brown and Company in Glasgow. Submarine E50 was 'Laid Down' on 15th Mar 1915 and was 'Launched' on 14th Nov 1916. The long period between being 'Laid Down' and 'Launch' was partly the result of the Yard never having built Submarines previously and the high volume of Surface Warship work the Yard was contracted to complete. Submarine E50 was 'Completed' and 'Commissioned' on 23rd Jan 1917.

Roll of Honour
31
Died: 01-02-1918
Bigsby, Thomas James  237417
Leading Seaman Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 27
from Tottenham, London
Leading Seaman Thomas Bigsby was born in 1891 and he was the son of Charles Henry and Annie Bella Bigsby of 16, Bell Lane, Hendon, London.

Thomas Bigsby was the husband of Mary W Bigsby later of 2538, Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Brett, Frederick  307261
Stoker Petty Officer Born: 30-04-1887 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 30
from Lower Edmonton, London
RN DoB 30/04/1886
Frank Brett was the husband of Agnes Annie Brett of 20, South Park Parade, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex.
Brown, Archibald Evelyn  DSM 226250
Petty Officer Born: 25-09-1888 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 29
from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
RN DoB 25/09/1887
Caudeville, Thomas Batiste  K 20787
Stoker 1st Class Born: 12-05-1892 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 25
from St. Peter Port, Guernsey  Channel Islands
Thomas Caudeville was the son of Thomas Phillipe Caudeville and Emma Milliere, his wife, of 5, Hauteville, St Peter Port, Guernsey.
Curd, William Fairhall  K 17857
Stoker 1st Class Born: 30-04-1894 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 23
from Rye, Sussex
Cutting, Austin Wilfred  J 13934
Able Seaman Born: 20-06-1894 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 23
from Woodbridge, Suffolk
Austin Cutting was the son of the late James George and Bessie Cutting.
Dunn, Archibald Freebairn  M 19524
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Born: 06-11-1894 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 23
from Glasgow, Lanarkshire  Scotland
Archibald Dunn was the son of Mary Freebairn Robb (formerly Dunn) of 7, Gordon Street, Whiteinch, Glasgow and the late John Dunn.
Elliott, George Walter  (RNR)
Lieutenant Born: 22-03-1894 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 23
from Fulham, London
He was appointed as a Probationary Midshipman, RNR on 20th Jan 1913. He joined the Royal Navy 'for Training' in the 15,000 ton Battleship HMS Bulwark (Captain Guy L Sclater, Royal Navy) on 4th Jul 1914.

In December 1914 Midshipman George Elliott (Seniority backdated to 18th Jan 1913) was serving in the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alsatian (Captain Valentine E B Phillimore, DSO, Royal Navy) to which he had been appointed on 7th Aug 1914.

He was promoted Acting Sub Lieutenant, RNR (Seniority backdated to 18th Oct 1915) on 14th Feb 1916, to Sub Lieutenant, RNR (Seniority backdated to 2nd Apr 1916) on 3rd May 1916 and to Acting Lieutenant on 11th Aug 1916. He was, subsequently 'loaned' to the Patuca (26th Oct 1916), the Orcoma (7th Dec 1916) and to the Orvieto (10th Dec 1916) before returning to Alsatian some time in 1917.

George Elliott was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Maidstone (9th Submarine Flotilla) at Harwich 'for Submarine E50 as Navigating Officer' on 29th Dec 1917 (Nominal List dated 1st Dec 1917).

George Elliott was the son of William George and Caroline Mary Elliott
Emery, Stanley  K 19954
Stoker 1st Class Born: 24-06-1895 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 22
from Steyning, Sussex
Gent, Cecil  K 19924
Stoker 1st Class Born: 26-12-1894 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 23
from Woolwich, Kent
Gibson, John Raymond  J 26864
Able Seaman Born: 03-10-1895 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 22
from Leeds, Yorkshire
John Gibson was the son of Mr J P and Mrs R Gibson, later of 23, Theatre Street, Norwich, Norfolk.
Gill, Albert  K 11648
Leading Stoker Born: 05-06-1883 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 34
from Manchester, Lancashire
Albert Gill was the husband of Beatrice Gill of 13, Chelford Street, High Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.
Haines, Frederick Charles  J 20808
Able Seaman Born: 09-02-1895 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 22
from Caversham, Oxfordshire
Frederick Haines was the son of Mr. C S and Mrs. Fanny M Haines of Chapel Lane, Binfield Heath, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
Hards, William Walter Jordan  K 11357
Leading Stoker Born: 24-06-1892 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 25
from Redhill, Surrey
William Hards was the son of Mrs M A King (formerly Hards) of 38, Garibaldi Road, Redhill, Surrey.

William Hards was the husband of Florence Mary Chenery (formerly Hards) of 2, Queen's Yard Cottages, High Street, Dovercourt Bay, Essex.
Hill, Farrar  J 20092
Able Seaman Born: 20-04-1897 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 20
from Dewsbury, Yorkshire
Farrar Hill was the son of Farrar and Rachel Ann Hill of 2, Broom Street, Scothill, Batley, Yorkshire.
Holtham, Frank St Clair  232264
Leading Seaman Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 29
from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Frank Holtham was born in 1889 and he was the son of Mrs Mary Ann Holtham of 20, Keynsham Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Hounsome, Norman George  J 19873
Able Seaman Born: 20-09-1896 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 21
from Southampton, Hampshire
Norman Hounsome was the son of Charles Hounsome of Calmere Road, Totton, Hampshire.

Norman Hounsome was the husband of the late Annie Hounsome of Calmere Road, Totton, Hampshire.
Hutchinson, John William  K 13161
Leading Stoker Born: 08-11-1893 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 24
from Beverley, Yorkshire
John Hutchinson was the son of John Matthew Ardington, Hutchinson of 9, Eastgate South, Driffield, Yorkshire.
Jewell, Alfred Henry  236249
Petty Officer Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 28
from Waterford, County Waterford  Ireland
Alfred Jewell was the husband of Mabel Dora Jewell of 31, Hillmarten Road, Camden Town, London.
Lee, Arthur Swinnerton  (RNR) EA 1571
Engine Room Artificer Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 26
from Manchester
Arthur Lee was born in 1892 and he was the son of Frederick and Alice Lee of 110, Clowes Street, West Gorton, Manchester.
Meek, Walter Henry  271695
Chief Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 29
from Plymouth
Walter Meek was born in 1891 and he was the son of Shipwright Lieutenant Frank Meek, RN (Retired) of Plymouth.

Walter Meek was the husband of Alice Maud Meek of 127, Beaumont Road, Plymouth, Devon.
Metcalfe, William Burton 
Lieutenant Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 22
from Netley Abbey, Hampshire
William Metcalfe joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet. He was promoted to Midshipman on 15th Sep 1912 and to Sub Lieutenant on 15th Sep 1914. In December 1914 William Metcalfe was serving in the 23,000 ton Battleship HMS King George V (Captain George H Baird, Royal Navy). He had been appointed to that Ship on 7th Mar 1913.

His Submarine career began in 1916 when he was appointed to HMS Dolphin 'for Submarine Training' (Nominal List dated 1st July 1916). A month later he was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Maidstone (9th Submarine Flotilla) at Harwich 'for Submarine duties'. He was promoted to Lieutenant.

The Nominal List of 1st Sep 1916 reports an appointment to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Vulcan (3rd Submarine Flotilla) at Immingham 'for Submarine D8 as First Lieutenant'. In April 1917 Submarine D8 was transferred to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Platypus.

His appointment to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Maidstone (9th Submarine Flotilla) at Harwich 'for Submarine E50 as First Lieutenant' was reported in the Nominal List of 1st Dec 1917.

William Metcalfe was the son of Mr and Mrs C Percival Metcalfe.
Miller, Albert Joseph  J 19598
Leading Telegraphist Born: 20-10-1896 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 21
from Parkstone, Poole, Dorset
Albert Miller was the son of Albert and Lillian Miller, later of of Bromley, Hants.

He was the husband of Ethel Maud Palmer (formerly Miller) of 54, The Hundred, Romsey, Hampshire.
Mulhall, John Joseph  J 21302
Signalman Born: 07-08-1897 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 20
from Balbriggan, County Dublin  Ireland
John Mulhall was the son of Patrick and Catherine Mulhall of 11, Sutton Terrace, Sutton, County Dublin.
Pover, Joseph  J 35826
Telegraphist Born: 10-09-1898 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 19
from Barnsley, Yorkshire
Joseph Pover was the son of Joseph and Alice Pover of 36, Market Street, Maple, Cheshire.
Roberts, Jonathan Thomas  234598
Petty Officer Born: 01-03-1880 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 37
from Plympton, Devon
Jonathan Roberts was the son of William Thomas and Bessie Roberts of Lower Compton, Plymouth, Devon.

He was serving in the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Alecto (7th Submarine Flotilla) at Dundee in 1912 'as Submarine Spare Crew' and was employed in the 'working party and for the whalers crew'. He was advanced to Leading Seaman and to Petty Office.

Jonathan Roberts was the husband of Lily Roberts of 2, St Mawes Terrace, Keyham Ford, Plymouth, Devon
Rogers, Wilford Ira  K 17348
Stoker 1st Class Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 23
from Abertillery, Monmouthshire
Wilford Rogers was the son of Henry and Emily J Rogers of 5, Woodville Road, Cwm, Newport, Monmouthshire.
Snook, Ralph Edgar 
Lieutenant Born: 28-09-1890 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 27
from Castle Grove, Nottingham
Commanding Officer
Ralph Snook joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet at the RN College, Osborne on 15th Sep 1903. He was promoted to Midshipman on 15th May 1908 and, on the same date he was appointed to the Armoured Cruiser HMS Bacchante. An appointment to the Armoured Cruiser HMS Aboukir followed on 6th Nov 1909 and promotion to Sub Lieutenant followed on 15th Jul 1911.

Sub Lieutenant Ralph Snook was appointed to HMS Dolphin 'for Submarine Training' on 1st May 1913 and was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Thames 'for Submarine C2' in June 1913.

He was promoted Lieutenant on 15th July 1913 then appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Bonaventure 'for Submarines' on 25th Aug 1913.

His next appointment (recorded on the Nominal List dated 8th April 1915) was to HMS Dolphin 'for Submarine V1 as First Lieutenant' to date 6th Apr 1915. His appointment was changed on 24th May 1915 to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Maidstone (8th Submarine Flotilla) at Harwich 'for Submarine V4 as First Lieutenant'.

Five months later the Nominal List for 7th October 1915 notes that he had been appointed to HMS Maidstone 'for Submarine E4 as First Lieutenant' to date 22nd Sep 1915.

The first command for Ralph Snook is recorded in the Nominal list for 1st April 1916 when he was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Forth'); attached to the 9th Submarine Flotilla) at Harwich 'for Submarine C21 in Command' to date 1st Apr 1916.

Submarine C21 was transferred to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Arrogant at Dover as shown in the Nominal List for 1st July 1916. His next Command came on 5th Dec 1916 (Nominal List dated 1st Jan 1917) when he was appointed to HMS Dolphin 'for Submarine C20 in Command'.

His appointment to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Maidstone 'for Submarine E50 in Command' to date 17th Jul 1917 was reported in the Nominal List of 1st August 1917.

Ralph Snook was the son of the late F W Snook and Mrs Snook. His wife was Constance Marjorie Percy Smith whom he married on 17th Apr 1917.
Tordoff, Norman  (RNR) EA 2063
Engine Room Artificer Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 27
from Halifax, Yorkshire
Norman Tordoff was born in 1890 and he was the son of John and Lena who lived in Halifax in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It I understood that his father was a mechanic who worked a gas engine in a worsted mill.

Norman Tordoff married Florence (nee Brown) in 1914 and they had two children, Jack born in 1915 and Norman, born in 1917.
White, Herbert  K 17774
Stoker 1st Class Born: 30-12-1894 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 23
from Wokingham, Berkshire
Herbert White was the son of Albert and Mary Ann White of Ride End, Finchampstead, Berkshire.
Young, William Farquhar  J 12191
Able Seaman Born: 29-08-1895 Died: 01-02-1918 Aged: 22
from Glasgow, Lanarkshire
William Young was the husband of Edith Young of 61, Butler Street, Oldham Road, Manchester.

Events

 01-03-1915   Laid Down
 13-11-1916   Launched
 23-01-1917   Completed
 01-02-1918   Mined and sunk in the North sea
Add A Comment (click to open)

This form is for you to comment on, or add additional information to this page. Any questions will be deleted. If you wish to ask a question contact the Branch or the Webmaster using the Contact Us page or ask your question on our Facebook Page

Name E-Mail
Your email will not be shown, but is required
Anti Spam: Type the following code exactly as shown into the box below.

Dh9Y    
Note: All submissions are subject to approval prior to appearing on the page. As a SPAM prevention measure, any comments containing links to other sites will be automatically discarded.

E 49 E 51