HMS Waterwitch, Lemnos and Constantinople

Halas 71 (formerly HMS Waterwitch) on Bosphorus. Photo Akasiayachting

While the waters of Lemnos' Mudros Bay was deep enough to accommodate the anchorage of a large warships and luxury liners converted into hospital ships, the approaches to her shoreline were shallow.
During the months of the Gallipoli campaign, with thousands of troops coming and going, they were ferried ashore by smaller vessels with a small draft. Some of these were motorised lighters, like large barges. Others were converted trawlers or despatch vessels. One of these was the HMS Waterwitch.

HMS Waterwitch loading Allied troops during WW1

A British Royal Navy ship, the HMS Waterwitchhad been built at the Fairfeild shipyards in Glasgow (my home town), originally intended for delivery to the Ottoman Navy. The outbreak of the First World War saw her commandeered by the Royal Navy as a despatch vessel.

HMS Waterwitch during WW1

With the commencement of the Gallipoli campaign - and the need for such vessels as short journey troop transport vessels in the waters of Lemnos - the HMS Waterwitchsaw service during the campaign. Her work is revealed in the many diaries, letters and memoirs that were made by the veterans of this campaign.
One of those was Lance Corporal William Dalton Lycett of the 4th Australian Field Ambulance. Born in England, William was living in Flemington (Melbourne) when he enlisted in the AIF. In mid-September, he wrote of his journey on the HMS Waterwitch in Mudros Bay, as it transferred men recently brought from Anzac Cove by the transport Osmanieh. They had arrived at Mudros Bay at 11.30 am on Wednesday 16th September 1915. William wrote in his diary on 16th September:

"A river steamer the Waterwitch came alongside and took off all troops except those to unload stores. I was left behind to help unload our stores and panniers. Waterwitch alongside again about 8 p.m. when we put all stores aboard her and went alongside wharf."

Having to stay aboard the HMS Waterwitch overnight, William described his experience in his diary entry for the following day:

"Slept on Waterwitch all night uncomfortable on a seat. Up at 5 a.m. and commenced unloading on to wharf."

The HMS Waterwitch would see service during the Salonika campaign and would be taken to Constantinople and serve their as part of the Allied Occupation forces until 1923. The HMS Waterwitchwas then handed over to Turkey, where she worked the Bosphorus as a ferry until she was converted into a luxury charter yacht in 1986.  Her name is now Halas 71 and she operates from Istanbul and Fethiye.

Halas 71 (formerly HMS Waterwitch) on Bosphorus. Photo Bernard Gallay

The old HMS Waterwitch- built before the First world War - is still sailing, on the Bosphorus. They certainly made their boats solid in those days!
She is one of the very few Gallipoli era vessels still in service around the world.
So next time you are in Istanbul, look out for the HMS Waterwitch. You might even match to get a journey aboard her.



Information sources include from the Gallipoli Association, Charter World,
akasiayachting and AnzacsOnline webpages.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee