Official Number: 128812
Laid down:
Builder: W Harkess & Sons Ltd, Middlesbrough
Launched: 1911
Into Service: 16 August 1914
Out of service: 17 April 1917
Fate: Mined and sunk 17 April 1917
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW1 to augment the ships of the RFA
Career Data:
1911 launched by W Harkness & Sons Ltd as Yard Nr: 188 and named LEVENWOOD for Metor SS Co. Ltd, Middlesborough
November 1911 completed
16 January 1912 sailed Grangemouth
19 May 1913 sailed Grangemouth
16 August 1914 requisitioned for Admiralty service as a collier – name unchanged –
1915 purchased by Plymouth Mutual Co-Operative Industrial Socieyu Ltd (A E Wonnacott, Manager) Plymouth and renamed CHARLES GOODANEW
7 April 1916 arrived Blyth from Plymouth
5 November 1916 sailed Blyth to Plymouth
22 November 1916 arrived at Blyth from Caen, France
19 April 1917 struck a mine laid by German Submarine UC-45 four days earlier and sank in the North Sea carrying Government Stores in position 57.39N 01.45W while on passage from Aberdeen to Scapa Flow with the loss of thirteen lives including the Master. Those who died are recorded with pride on the Tower Hill Memorial as having no known grave but the sea. Two of the crew survived – the 2nd Engineer Officer and fireman who were rescued by HMS SAGITTA
The names of those recorded on the Tower Hill Memorial who were lost on the sinking of the Charles Goodanew
Image used with permission of Brian Watson with thanks
1 September 2006 the wreckage of the ss Charles Goodanew was identified by divers lead by Roger Mathison and lies 3 miles NExE from Rattray Head lighthouse at 57 38.279N 01 44.235W orientated 080/260 degrees with the stern to the east at 57 38.282N 01 44.205W and the forward end of the wreckage to the west at 57 38.276N 01 44.264W