Harry Francis SNEDDEN

Harry Francis SNEDDEN. Coxswain, Petty Officer 1st Class 159580 Royal Navy, on HMS Ariel. Born 10th October 1875 in the registration district of Portsea, Hampshire to Henry and Charlotte Frances,nee Hurst. Enlisted 10th March 1891 aged 15 he was serving as Boy with the Royal Navy on HMS St Vincent, at Portsmouth Harbour, Hampshire. He drowned doing his duty with HMS Ariel 19th April 1907 aged 31. HMS Ariel sunk when it ran on to the breakwater outside the Grand Harbour, Malta. Court of Inquiry held 22nd April 1907 found that Snedden showed a rare and unselfish devotion to duty in refusing to abandon the ship and in staying by his captain which unfortunately resulted in the loss of his life. (The Captain, Lieutenant Lancelot Napier Tuton did not lose his life) His mother was informed of his death 20th April 1907. At rest in Plot B Grave 142, Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta. His father Henry George Criser Snedden, known as Henry was born 17th April 1846 at Portsea, Hampshire, enlisted 1st January 1873. His last ship was HMS Asia and was discharged to pension as Leading Stoker 64558
Credit.. Malta Family History.
Henry F. SNEDDON, Coxswain, Petty Officer 1st Class, HMS Ariel, died 19th April 1907, aged 31 years. In the early evening of 19th April 1907 five destroyers carried out manoeuvres off the south coast of Malta. They were returning to Grand Harbour and prepared their final exercise, which was for HMS Ariel to make herself conspicuous and so attract the attention of the defenders in the Ricasoli area whilst the other four tried to enter Grand Harbour without being observed.
At 22.45 HMS Ariel was detected and searchlights from Forts St.Elmo and Ricasoli illuminated her. The ship was under the command of Lieutenant Lancelot Turton, who suddenly realised that they were heading for the newly constructed breakwater off Ricasoli. Unfortunately too late to avert a disaster. HMS Ariel crashed into the breakwater extensively damaging the forward part of the ship, and putting the boiler room out of action.
There was a rough sea that night and the stricken ship drifted towards the rocks close to Fort Ricasoli. HMS Bruizer managed to get a tow aboard and slowly pulled the damaged destroyer clear. However, the strong seas carried both vessels away from Grand Harbour towards Fort Rinella. The tow parted and HMS Ariel again started to head towards the rocky coast. HMS Bruizer came to assist for a second time, getting damaged herself in the process. She took off all the crew, but Lieutenant Turton remained on board, and the Coxswain Henry Sneddon decided to stay on the ship with Lieutenant Turton.
Shortly before midnight the hull grounded on rocks off St. Rocco, and heeled over to port, in relatively shallow water. Soldiers from the shore were able to throw ropes to the two men to bring them ashore. Tragically Coxswain Sneddon lost his grip, fell back into the sea and was drowned. His body was washed ashore on 5th May.
A Court of Enquiry was held but was unable to determine the exact cause of the accident. One explanation put forward was that the searchlights blinded Coxswain Sneddon so he did not see the breakwater ahead.