Toonsfowk, fermers and the fisherfolk at war

Crawford, John

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Summary

In this book, John Crawford’s depiction of the Royal Navy at the outbreak of the 1st World War is deliberate, when he describes this massive fighting force, with its reputation for dominating the oceans of the world extending back over centuries, confident in its ability to continue as before and unaware that times are changing: ‘old fashioned’ has become inefficient and the widespread use of mines and submarines will change the face of warfare on water. He describes the blockading role given to the Navy in its attempt to prevent the German Fleet escaping into the North Sea and the effectiveness of enemy U-Boats in attacks on large warships, where the efforts of thirty men could result in the loss of eight hundred. Contrasting with the formality and rigid discipline of the Senior Service, John introduces us to the way of life of the fishermen whose boats, mainly stream drifters, were requisitioned to work with the Admiralty and whose crews, many already Naval Reservists, volunteered their services in support of the Royal Navy. Their duties were mainly as fleet tenders, boom defence vessels, minesweepers and anti-submarine net vessels as well as performing other roles; from the North Sea, to the Channel and the Mediterranean. The men’s strength which soon became evident, lay in their superlative seamanship skills, their courage and their willingness to carry on against uneven odds. John has focussed on the men from the North East of Scotland and has chosen to list and detail, almost one hundred and fifty local boats which were lost during the war. The inclusion of personal details of the identities of crews and boats’ owners will no doubt strike a chord with some North-East families. The actions of many fishermen in situations of great danger, is reflected in the awards for bravery won by them. In referring to the Sea-Battle of Jutland in 1916, it seems the outcome was rather played down. John tactfully supplies us with facts and figures and it is perhaps sufficient to say that counting the losses in shipping suffered by the British Grand Fleet and comparing these with those sustained by the German Navy, we did not come out of it too well. Although the First World War on land takes precedence in most people’s minds, the sacrifices made by the men who served at sea can be considered no less.