HMS M.33’s People

HMS M.33’s People. . , In June 1915, five officers and 67 men squeezed into HMS M.33’s tiny hull. Most stayed away from home for 3 ½ years. They were of all ages, and were mostly reservists returning for the war, or volunteers. None had been conscripted. Although a Devonport ship, the crew came from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and across England. , , Their captain was a 35-year-old professional officer, Lieutenant-Commander Quintin Preston-Thomas. They had been clerks and butchers, farmers and labourers. Aboard ship they became Seamen, Gunners and Royal Marines to fire M.33’s big guns; Stokers and Engine Room Artificers to operate her steam engines; and specialists including a Wireless Operator, a Cook’s Mate and a Surgeon. , , The youngest crew member on board M.33 was only 16 years old. , , Life was hard. Most of the crew ate, slept and relaxed in the cramped Mess deck. The officers had only tiny cabins. The ship was poorly ventilated and badly heated, making her stiflingly hot on summer, but cold and damp in winter. , , ‘In rough weather all these methods of ventilation have to be closed down to keep out the sea. During the cold weather the sweating of the sides and deck above is very great, … so that the men have to fix oil skins over their hammocks to prevent the dripping.’ Medical Officer’s Report, 1915 , , ( photo captions ) , Above: Members of M.33’s company, 1915. Seventy-two men lived and worked aboard in cramped conditions. , , Right: The crew lived in a Mess like this, eating alongside carefully stowed hammocks, boots and ditty boxes. Above: Leading Signalman Henry Mulligan (centre) and crew members aboard M.33, in about 1916.