Charles Herbert Emms

A Master with S. S. Mexico City, Charles died on 5th of February 1918 at the age of 53.

Charles was born at Lowestoft in 1864, a son of Jewett David and Fanny Elizabeth Emms. He was privately baptised by the Vicar of Saint John’s Church on 14 March 1864, and his family lived at Commercial Road. In 1871 the family lived at 3 Commercial Road where Charles’ father had a bakery and grocer’s shop. After his father’s death his family lived at Cyprus House, 11 London Road, and in 1911 he had relatives lived at 34 Marine Parade. 

On 4 November 1879 Charles began a four year Merchant Navy apprenticeship with Bullard King and Company of 75 Mark Lane, London. He served for four years as an apprentice and then as an Able Seaman with the square rigged sailing ship Wolsely, and then served as an Able Seaman on another square rigged ship, the Lurline. He was awarded his Certificate of Competency as a Second Mate on 2 July 1885. He then on the Engineer for two years, as Second Mate, and then was the Second Mate on the Lena. Still in his capacity as Second Mate he then served on the City of Cork, the Onegar and the Odessa. He was awarded his Certificate of Competency as a First Mate on 14 February 1889. Charles then served as Second Mate on the S.S. Michigan and then the S.S. Hathfield and, on 19 February 1891 he was awarded his Certificate of Competency as Master.   

On 11 January 1893 Charles married Grace Eleanor Murrell at All Saints’ Church, Hatcham, Deptford, London. Charles was a master mariner and they both gave their address as 65 Casella Road. In 1901 their home was at 65 Casella Road, Deptford, and Charles was the First Mate on the S.S. Campeador. By 1911 their home was at 72 Erlanger Road, New Cross, London.

In 1918 Charles was the Master of the cargo ship S.S. Mexico City. During the First World War the ship had been fitted with defensive armament. On 15 February 1918 the ship was sailing from Liverpool to Alexandria with mixed cargo. About fifteen miles off South Stack, Holyhead, and quite without warning, the ship was torpedoed, by German submarine U-101, and sank. All twenty-nine of the crew, including Charles, were lost.