Robert James Stote Mercantile Marine - S.S. Glynymel
Second Engineer Robert James Stote Mercantile Marine, S.S. Glynymel
Early Life and Family Background
John Stote and Caroline Prior
marriage certificate
St. Mary's Church
Robert James Stote was born in 1866, the son
of John Stote and Caroline Prior, who were married in December
1862 at St. Mary’s Church, Swansea.
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| 1871 Census |
At the time of the 1871 Census, Robert’s father was absent, and the family were living at 53 Wellington Street, Swansea. Caroline, then 31, had no recorded occupation and was raising three children: David John (7), Robert James (5), and Caroline Alida (2).
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| 1891 Census |
By the 1891 Census, Robert was no longer living at home. He was recorded as a boarder at 43 Wellington Street, Swansea, in the household of Robert Ridler. Robert, then 25, was employed as a Seaman. In January 1892, he married Elizabeth Helena Thompson, a widow, at St. Mary’s Church, Swansea.
Service at Sea – Second Engineer, S.S. Glynymel
Robert progressed in his maritime career and became Second
Engineer aboard the S.S. Glynymel, a Welsh-owned merchant vessel
operating during the First World War. As Second Engineer, he was responsible
for the ship’s machinery, boilers, and engine-room crew—a highly skilled
and technically demanding position requiring constant vigilance.
On 12th March 1917, the Glynymel
came under attack by the German submarine UC-66. The submarine opened
fire on the vessel, forcing the crew to abandon ship before UC-66 scuttled
the vessel to ensure her destruction. Robert James Stote was the only
casualty, losing his life during the attack.
S.S. Glynymel
The S.S. Glynymel was a British merchant
steamer typical of the medium-sized cargo vessels that formed the backbone of
the Mercantile Marine during the war. Employed in coastal and
near-continental trade, she transported essential goods vital to Britain’s
wartime survival. Like most merchant ships of the period, she was unarmed or
only lightly armed, leaving her extremely vulnerable to U-boat attack.
By early 1917, German submarines had intensified their
campaign, making the shipping lanes around Britain among the most dangerous in
the world. The destruction of the Glynymel by gunfire from UC-66
highlights the perilous conditions in which merchant seafarers operated.
German Submarine UC-66
UC-66 was a Type UC II minelaying submarine,
commissioned in 1916. She was designed to lay mines in strategic
shipping areas and also carried torpedoes and deck guns, enabling her to
attack merchant ships directly. Operating mainly in British and French coastal
waters, UC-66 was responsible for sinking multiple Allied vessels during
her service.
Her attack on the Glynymel—using gunfire and
subsequent scuttling—was a common tactic used against defenceless cargo
steamers. UC-66 herself was lost later in 1917, sinking with all
hands.
Commemoration
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| S.S. Glynymel Tower Hill Memorial, London credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources: The Merchant Navy Memorial |
With no known grave but the sea, Robert James
Stote is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which
honours merchant seafarers who died in both World Wars and have no resting
place. His name is preserved among thousands who served and sacrificed in the
crucial but often overlooked Mercantile Marine.
Legacy
The loss of Robert James Stote reflects the extraordinary
dangers faced by merchant engineers during the First World War. Working deep
below deck, they kept ships moving through minefields, submarine patrol
zones, and hostile waters. As the sole casualty of the Glynymel,
Robert’s death illustrates how a single attack could devastate families and
communities. His service stands as a testament to the courage, skill, and
resilience of the Merchant Navy, whose contribution was vital to Britain’s
survival during the war.
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