HMS Pincher

Thanks to Beery on the World Naval Ships Forum for the following: On 24 July 1918, my great great grand uncle William Wheelhouse was a Petty Officer Stoker on HMS Pincher, commanded by Lt. Patrick W.R. Weir. Pincher had been, along with her sister ship HMS Scorpion, assigned to escort the Standard tanker War Hostage. The ships steamed out of Devonport in fog. Pincher took a course that brought her dangerously close to Seven Stones Reef. Errors in navigation due to the fog compounded the error and Pincher struck the reef at high speed. The impact tore open her hull and she sank. After the accident, Petty Officer Wheelhouse was listed as drowned. Others (unknown how many - at least a few stokers it seems) were also killed. An inquiry was held and the commander was subjected to a court-martial. The commander was found guilty of steering an unsafe course and and sentenced to be reprimanded. William's gravesite is in St. Gwithian cemetery on the west coast of Cornwall (I assume this is close to where his body washed up?). The gravestone still exists and is in good condition. So far I know of thirteen deaths in HMS Pincher on 24 July 1918. They are: Stoker 1st class Albert Ernest Bartholomew Able Seaman William James Beddoe Leading Seaman William Charles Victor Butler Petty Officer William Harry Cottell Stoker 1st class Charles Fearn Stoker 1st class Daniel Greenwell Stoker 1st class John William Halliday Stoker 1st class William Harris Officer's Steward 1st Class G Marmara Stoker 1st class Alexander McCullock Stoker 1st class George Wauchope Stewart Noble Leading Stoker George William Tilley Stoker Petty Officer William Wheelhouse