Skegness Magazine

Miraculous Escapes
Exciting Adventures of a Former Skegnessian

Many men have met with exciting experiences, ashore and afloat, since the outbreak of war, yet we question whether those “enjoyed” by Mr Albert Tippet, a brother of Mr V H Tippet, Assistant Clerk to the Skegness Council, do not deserve a high place.
We give below a brief outline of the narrow escapes from injury or death experienced by Mr Tippet who, up to the loss of his vessel on the 27th of last month, was First Engineer on the SS Hadley, a vessel of 1,777 tons, owned by Messers. William Cory and Son, of London.

EXPERIENCED BOMBARNDEMT
In December 1914 his steamship was at Hartlepool when the bombardment occurred. It arrived overnight, and he went up to his diggings at Newcastle by train, and when he returned next morning he found the place smashed up by the German battle cruisers. Some fragments of shells fell on his vessel, but none of the men was hurt. His crew helped to carry the wounded to hospital.

NEARLY WRECKED
In October, 1915, whilst coming from Rouen (France) to Newcastle, his vessel was run into by a transport opposite Haver, and a large hole was made in the vessel’s side. The captain, engineers and crew just managed to get their ship beached in time. After several days in dock for repairs they succeeded in taking the vessel on to Newcastle.

BLOWN UP BY A MINE
In a letter to his brother Vivian, dated December 29th, 1915, Mr Tippet says:-
“I have had rather a terrible experience since I wrote to you last. We left Newcastle on the afternoon of Xmas Day for London, and anchored off Oxfordness near the Shipwash Light Vessel on Sunday night about 9.30. We got under weigh about seven in the morning, and had not proceeded more than an hour when we were blown up by a Mine, about 20 miles off Harwich. It was three minutes past eight when the explosion occurred, and we immediately took to the boats, just being able to get clear as the old ship turned over and sank. In seven minutes it was all over. Fortunately everyone was saved in our own boats, but we lost everything, getting away just as we stood. It was a most miraculous escape, as not a single man was hurt. We were picked up by a mine-sweeper soon after and taken into Harwich. I had neither cap nor shoes on, but just grabbed a topcoat so I managed to keep warm. It was rather rough at the time and blowing strong. We were taken into Harwich and got up to London about seven on Monday evening, and all put up at the Sailors’ Home, except those who lived in London, who went to their respective homes.
“We met at Cory’s Office the next morning and they were very sympathetic and treated us alright, everyone being sent to their destinations yesterday evening. I lost about £10 of things, books, boots, clothes, etc., but nearly all is covered by insurance so hope to come off all right. I shall see the Super at Shields in a day or two, but am not in a hurry. The old ship in which I have been for close to ten years now 70 feet under water with half her side blown out. I can hardly realise it yet.”

Source: Skegness, Mablethorpe and Alford News 1916