This record consists of a documentary reference to a shipping casualty which has been assigned to the maritime named location OFF THE SMALLS pending more information which may allow a more precise location for the loss to be assigned.

Event and Historical Information:
The NEPTUNE was a steel-hulled fishing vessel or trawler built by Cook, Wellton & Gemmel Ltd at Hull in 1901 (yard number 290). Technical and configuration specifications are given as 199gt, 72nt; 112ft length x 21ft breadth x 11ft depth; 1 deck, quarterdeck 49ft, forecastle 21ft; screw propulsion powered by a single boiler linked to triple expansion engine producing 66 horsepower; machinery aft by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull; fishing number O126. The trawler was part of the Belgian fishing fleet which transferred to work out of Milford Haven during the Great War, rather than let the vessels fall into enemy hands. The owner being given as Reederij H. P. Aspeslagh, Ostend. The report which was forward to the Admiralty contains a detail account of the attack and loss of the NEPTUNE. The trawler had left that port on the 21 December bound for fishing grounds 40 miles SW by W from St Ann's Head. The master was Louis Zonniken. On the 26 December 1917, 20 miles SW by W from St Ann's Head, the trawler spotted UC 46 at 11.45am. The submarine fired two shots overhead at around 12.30pm. The trawler stopped and the crew abandoned the vessel. The submarine fired eight shots at the vessel, only one of which hit. It then approached the ship's boat and ordered the crew to come alongside. Four of the crew were taken out and placed on board the submarine. Two officers armed with bombs then embarked in their boat and were rowed to the NEPTUNE. One officer placed bombs outboard on the starboard side whilst the other searched the ship. The latter went first to the bridge and took the Masters oilskins, sou'wester and binoculars. He then hauled down the flag. He then went to the master's cabin where he appropriated the barometer and other gear. Fifty fathoms of rope were also taken away together with a basket of soles which were eventually passed for distribution amongst the crew of the submarine. One of officers asked the NEPTUNE's master whether they had enough food in their lifeboat and when the latter said no, he ordered loaves to be fetched from the trawler. The trawler sank around 13:00. The submarine was last seen steering west on the surface travelling at around 10 knots. The 12 Belgian crew members were picked up by HM Drifter OCEAN SEARCHER. The UC 46 sank the schooner AGNES nearby (see NPRN 273271). The AGNES's crew were also picked up by HM Drifter OCEAN SEARCHER.

Sources include:

ADM 137/3974 Home Waters Ships Attacked December 21-31 1916, The National Archives, Kew
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Lloyd's Register Casualty Returns, 1 October - 31 December 1916, p.11 (i)
Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1915 - 30 June 1916, number 264 in N
Neptune, uboat.net
U-Boat Project: Commemorating the War at Sea
UC46, uboat.net

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, February 2019.

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