The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

Five: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (234873 F. C. Cook, P.O. H.M.S. “P.61” Atlantic Ocean 26 Sept. 1917); 1914-15 Star Trio (P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Admiral’s bust, 2nd issue with fixed suspension (P.O. H.M.S. Pembroke) contact wear, therefore nearly very fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 17 November 1917 “The following awards have been approved for services in action with enemy submarines.”

H.M. Patrol Craft 61, also known as DOWNTON & CHESNEY, was a purpose built heavily armed Naval Vessel designed to resemble a Merchant Ship and was intended to act as a Decoy Vessel or ‘Q’ ship. In their construction they were provided with bilge protection and special fillings which were intended to keep them afloat after being torpedoed, to enable them to dispose of their attackers. It was also hoped that their shallow draft of only 8 feet would cause the torpedoes to run under them.

PC.61 (Lieutenant Commander F. H. Worsley, R.D., R.N.R.) was escorting to harbour the S.S. ZAN ZEFERINO, a vessel that had recently been torpedoed. On entering a clearer patch of weather at 0557 PC.61 sighted on her starboard beam about half a mile away the UC.33 lying on the surface. PC.61 opened fire immediately, increased speed and turned hard to starboard with the intention of ramming. Although designed to look like an inconspicuous Merchant Vessel, PC.61 had been given a razor sharp bow for the very purpose that was now intended. The UC.33 was still making desperate attempts to submerge when PC.61 rammed her with a great shudder just abaft the conning tower. The submarine was observed to roll over and slowly sink, there were no survivors.

UC.33, a mine laying submarine, was Commanded by Ober Leutnant E. A. Arnold and had left Germany on 16 September with a full load of mines. These were to be laid within a radius of one and a half miles from Coninbeg lighthouse to bar the entrance to Waterford harbour. For this action Lieutenant Commander Worsley received the Distinguished Service Order, the First Lieutenant, Lieutenant J.R. Stenhouse R.N.R., the Distinguished Service Cross, and Petty Officer Cook the Distinguished Service Medal.