Mr. Harry Lockett, Able-Bodied Seaman

Harry Lockett (1877 – 1943), 36, was an able-bodied seaman in the deck department of the Lusitania‘s last voyage. He survived the sinking and continued to serve in the mercantile marine for the rest of his life.

Biography


Lockett was born in Hatton, Cheshire, on the 2nd November 1877, the son of John and Hannah Lockett.  He was a professional seaman in the mercantile marine and in 1915, lived at 12, Alexander Street, Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire.  This was also the home of fellow seaman Peter McNally, so it might have been a lodging house, or simply McNally’s home.

On 12th April 1915, he engaged as an able seaman in the Deck Department on board the Lusitania, at a monthly rate of pay of £5-10s-0d., (£5.50p.), £1-10s-0d. (£1.50p.,) of which was advanced to him at the time.  He reported for duty on board the liner at 7 a.m. on 17th April before she left Princes Landing Stage at Liverpool, for the very last time.  It was not his first service on the vessel.

Having been on board when the Lusitania arrived at New York, he also served on her return journey which began on 1st May 1915.  Six days later, on the afternoon of 7th May 1915, he survived her sinking after she had been torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-20.  At that time, she was only twelve miles off the coast of Ireland and only hours away from her home port.

Having been rescued from the sea, he was landed at Queenstown from where he eventually made it back to Liverpool, where he was officially discharged from the Lusitania‘s final voyage.  He was also paid the sum of £3-8s-8d., (£3.43p.), which was the balance of pay owing to him in respect of his service on the liner from 17th April 1915, until 8th May, 24 hours after she had gone down.

Harry Lockett continued to serve as an Able Seaman in the mercantile marine for many years after, serving on such vessels as the Carmania.  He died in West Cheshire, England, on the 27th September 1943, aged 65 years.

Links of interest


Harry Lockett at the Merseyside Maritime Museum

Contributors
Peter Kelly, Ireland
Ellie Moffat, UK

References
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths

1881 Census of England and Wales

Cunard Records

PRO BT 100/345

PRO BT 350

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