Edward Snell

On 26 September 1904, while under the command of Lieutenant and Commander Sydney Harold Tennyson, a bizarre accident occurred aboard HMS Chamois. While conducting a full power trial in the Gulf of Patras off the Greek coast HMS Chamois lost a propeller blade. The loss of the blade unbalanced the shaft, which was spinning at high speed. The resulting vibration broke the shaft bracket and tore a large hole in the hull. She sank by the stern in 30 fathoms (55 m) of water about 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) from the coast north of the modern village of Araxos. All hands were saved, however, Edward Snell, leading stoker, No. 155609, was dangerously scalded: and Charles Tarrant, stoker, No. 232250, was slightly wounded. Edward Snell first served in the Royal Navy on 13 June 1890 aboard HMS Indus. He was 19 years old and had previously been employed as a miner. Edward Snell was 5 feet and 5 and 3/4 three quarter inches in height, he had dark hair, and grey eyes. He died on 29 September as the result of severe scalds received on 26 September whilst aboard HMS Chamois. His parents were John Snell and Jane (nee Harding). Edward's mother Jane died when Edward was 9 years old. Edward had 3 brothers and 4 sisters.