Comments on: The pilot cutter “Protector”

By: Lynsey Carr - Phillips

Lynsey Carr - Phillips — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:04:59 +0000

After delving into my family tree I have discovered that Robert Phillips was my Great (x4) grandfather. I always knew we had links to the sea and still live near the fish quay now. My grandfather has found this whole thing amazing as he knew ‘a story’ but never the full details. Such a tragedy.

By: Mr Young

Mr Young — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:49:14 +0000

Or just click the link, ha.

By: Mr Young

Mr Young — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:48:52 +0000

Lucy, the programme you are seeking is right here on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zf-xg5p0AE

Copy and paste it into your address bar.

By: lucy

lucy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:46:52 +0000

Im trying to find information on a BBC programme about the tyne pilots, involving jack tinmouth, my great grandfather. He died in 1977, so the programme was possibily in the 70′s. Any information appreciated, thanks.

By: Ralph Phillips Watson

Ralph Phillips Watson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:52:48 +0000

Good evening, Wendy. I have just read some of the comments on your article
about the pilots and the Protector.Robert Phillips was my Great Grandfather and the young Ralph Phillips was my uncle My Grandfather was Ralph Phillips, the young Ralph’s father and he was probably the pilot referred to who said he had spoken to the U-boat captain who said he had torpedoed the Protector. My grandfather told this story without any deviations through repetition,also that he threw the proffered whiskey in the man’s face, Robert Phillips’ body was brought out of the water in March 1917 in king Edward’s Bay by my Grandfather who waded out up to his neck,being a nonswimmer, he only found out later it was his father.

By: Marita Furey

Marita Furey — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:50:55 +0000

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By: Mr Young

Mr Young — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:16:19 +0000

William and Matthew Young were brothers. Matthew’s son (also Matthew) actually witnessed the explosion which killed his father.
Matthew Jnr had a son of his own, also Matthew, who lived until 2002 and told of the tragic story passed on from his father which I am now passing on to my own kids.
From what I’ve heard, I believe the event deserves more of memorial than the one currently standing.

By: Gail Miles

Gail Miles — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 01:00:16 +0000

Hi Wendy

Since starting my family tree I found that Im just a little piece of the Burn Family. My great great grandfather was Mathew Foster Burn a Pilot , and his father my great great great grandfather was Lancelot Burn and his father was William Burn who was also a Pilot, I feel so proud
that I am just a very small piece of this huge and wonderful family all
heros and of course all the other Pilots that give there service are heros also, remembering what i have read up to now the family names of
Marshall Bone Purvis Young and Donkin to name but a few were so brave

Why hasnt a film been done or book been written about these heros,I still have alot of work to do on my Family Tree but I would be greatfull if anyone has any info or photo’s to forward them please and likewise I will pass on what I have .

The above articals are excellant.Lets keep these Pilots alive,remember them whenever we walk along the coast,and looking out towards the piers
they give there lives to save others.

Regards Gail

By: Alan Bays

Alan Bays — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:40:59 +0000

Dear Wendy,
I recently saw something about the Protector in South Shields Library and decided to look on the internet for more information and came across your site. The reason for my curiosity was that my father Robert Bone Bays, who would have been twelve years old at the time of the loss of the cutter, many times told me that a relative of his was killed on it. This relative was either a cousin or an uncle of my father’s, I can’t remember which now. I was also told that this relative was young in age and that I put my father “very much in mind of him”.
Although my father’s middle name is the same as one of surnames of one of the men who was killed I don’t think he is the relative but I can’t be sure.
My father became a Tyne Foyboatman although his mother was from a family of Tyne pilots, the Sloans.

By: Syd Reed

Syd Reed — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:32:42 +0000

Hi Wedy

As mentioned earlier I am the grandson of Thomas Reed on the protector.I have a picture of the crew of the Protector but have no idea who is who on it. It would be wonderful to put a face to a name.

Can you please help.If you do not have this picture ,taken on board the protector please let me know.

Regards Syd