Noah Ayers

A Cable Hand with His Majesty's Telegraph Ship Monarch, Noah died on 8th of September 1915 at the age of 50.

Noah was born at Lowestoft in 1865, a son of James and Matilda Ayers. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 5 November 1865. In 1871 the family's address was 'Beach, near the Gas Works' and in 1881 their address was 'By East Street'. By 1881 Noah was working at sea. 

On 12 June 1886 Noah married Martha Maria Betmead at Saint Margaret's Church. In the 1890s they lived at 2 Whapload Road and by 1911 their home was at 20 Worthing Road, Lowestoft.

From 3 February 1915 to 2 June 1915 Noah was the Skipper of the trawler Accumulator, LT1184. During this time the trawler, which was owned by G. A. Foster, of the Herring Market, Lowestoft, was engaged in mackerel fishing off the east and south coasts of England. Soon after the Accumulator was paid off Noah joined the cable-laying ship Monarch to serve was a Cable Hand. On 8 September 1915 the 'Monarch' was 2.5 nautical miles south-west of Folkestone and struck a mine. Three crew, including Noah, were killed. 

—————————-

This second Monarch was larger and had a single screw.  Built in 1883, it had the distinction of being the first cable-ship built for the General Post Office.  During the First World War, it cut the German Borkum-Fayal cable.  Unfortunately, it was mined off Folkestone in September 1915 and sank. CREDIT: Pkporthcurno