The steel-hulled, single-screw, steamer 'Holmtown' was built as the 'Idaho' at the Southwick Yard of Robert Thompson & Sons Limited, Sunderland, having been launched during April 1907 and completed the following month for her owners at Middlesbrough. She was of 598 gross and 363 net register tons being 176.0 ft. long x 29.8 ft. breath x 10.6 ft. depth.

The s.s. 'Holmtown' sailed from Rouen on 1st February 1918, in ballast, bound for Penarth Dock to pick up a cargo of coal. On the 3rd of February, when she was due east of the Shambles lightvessel, which is about 3 miles off the Portland coast, in the English Channel, she was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-59 and her entire crew of 15 souls perished. The identity of both vessels was apparently only confirmed in 2006. [845]

The body of the Master of the 'Holmtown', Emmanuel Comby Laverack (Laverick), was washed ashore upon Swanage beach, Dorset. He was aged 64, being a native of Redcar, and was the husband of Mary Hannah (nee Harrison) Laverack (Laverick), of 1, Ilton Rd., Pen-y-lan, Cardiff. He is buried in Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery. Many thanks to [844] for this information.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission [846] hold the following records of the crew lost that day, however, the date of death differs by a few days from the above reported date of loss (3rd February 1918) :

Alexandert, Albert, Donkeyman, Mercantile Marine, Born at St. Lucia, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 23.

Daniel, Second Engineer, Mercantile Marine, Born at St. Lucia, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 36.

Davies, David John, Mate, Mercantile Marine, Son of Henry Morgan Davies and Elizabeth Davies (nee Richards), of White Gate, Trewn, Letterston, Pembrokeshire. Born at Haverfordwest, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 19.

Day, William John, Able Seaman, Mercantile Marine, Son of Archibald McCullum and Elizabeth Day; husband of Maud Emma Day (nee Johns), of 17, One End St., Appledore, Devon. Born at Appledore, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 39.

Edwards, Leading Seaman, (no. 165821/Devon), Royal Navy, (R.F.R./Div. A./4085), Memorial: East Lulworth (St. Andrew) Churchyard ?

Gardner, John, Fireman, Mercantile Marine, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial ?

Hoy, Clifford, Fireman, Mercantile Marine, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial ?

Jackson, John Thomas, First Engineer, Mercantile Marine, Husband of Agnes M. Jackson, of 29, Jackson St., Sunderland. Born at Sunderland, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 49.

Kierman, Thomas, Second Mate, Mercantile Marine, Son of Peter and Isabella Kierman; husband of Eva Elsie Kierman (Nee White), of 90, Forrest Rd., Canton, Cardiff. Born at Edinburgh, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 24.

Laverack, Emmanuel Comby, Master, Mercantile Marine, Husband of Mary H. Laverack, of I, Ilton Rd., Pen-y-lan, Cardiff, Memorial: Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery 64.

Rooker, George, Ordinary Seaman, (no. Bristol/Z/9430), Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Son of George Albert and Lucy Jane Rooker, of 48, Oliver Rd., Erdington, Birmingham, Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial 19.

Screech, Silvanus, Able Seaman, Mercantile Marine, Son of Robert and Caroline Screech; husband of Clara Louise Screech (formerly Hutchings, nee Shorney), of 14, New Quay, Appledore, Devon. Born at Appledore, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 44.

Tabb, William Henry, Able Seaman, Mercantile Marine, Son of William Henry and Rhoda Jane Tabb, of Temple Bar, Port Isaac, Cornwall, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 19.

Vella, Paolo, Steward, Mercantile Marine, Son of the late Nicola and Marianna Vella; husband of Emilia Vella (nee Fenech), of 100, Strada Mescanti, Valetta, Malta. Born in Malta, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 46.

Warman, Walter, Able Seaman, Mercantile Marine, Born at Norwich, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial 46.