28 Mar 1910 S An aeroplane took off from water for the first time. At the controls of the Canard was Henri Fabre, a 28-year old engineer from Marseilles. This was Fabre's first flight. The flight took place at Lake Berre near Martigues on the Mediterranean, where the fifty-horsepower Gnome rotary engine powered the 'hydravion' a 1650-foot distance over water. 1 Mar 1911 S The concept of a Royal Naval Air Service was when the Admiralty-approved the first flying course for naval officers at Eastchurch, using two Short biplanes loaned by Mr Francis McClean.  Of the four students, one was Lt Charles Rumney Samson.  He had joined the Royal Navy in 1897 at age 15 as a cadet at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, two years later was a midshipman in the Mediterranean Fleet, after five years was promoted to Lieutenant and became 1st Lieutenant in a cruiser at age 22.  Observed as lacking tact, he volunteered, with three other Royal Navy and Marine officers, for flying duties and obtained the Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate in 1911 after completing flights totalling 71 minutes and covering 68 miles.  He then obtained an interview with the 1st Sea Lord and made his case for a small air element in the Royal Navy promising to fly an aeroplane off a ship within six months.  Samson in World War I was the first Commanding Officer of the RNAS Seaplane Carrier Squadron in the Mediterranean, which became No 269 Squadron on the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918. 1 Apr 1911 S Lt C L’Estrange Malone, a Dartmouth Cadet, was a student on the second course gaining Royal Aero Club Licence No 195.  Malone in World War I was the acting CO of the RNAS Seaplane Carrier Squadron, prior to the arrival of Samson, and later took over command when Samson returned to the UK. 1 Jan 1912 O Lt Samson appointed Acting Commander 10 Jan 1912 S Lt Samson made the first British deck take-off.  Flying a Short biplane  S38, across the Medway from Naval Air Service, Eastchurch he landed on a beach from where the Short was lightered out to the cruiser HMS Africa.  During the Army manoeuvres that year, Lt L’Estrange Malone flew the Short Triple-Twin. 1 Feb 1912 S Samson was appointed Acting Commander, Naval Flying School, NAS Eastchurch. He was soon developing a series of wireless, bomb dropping, night flying and aerial gunnery experiments in support of the fleet. 9 May 1912 S Samson became the first pilot in the world to take-off from a ship underway.  He was again flying a Short S38 from HMS Hibernia steaming at 15 knots in Weymouth Bay during the Royal Review of the Fleet. 6 Jun 1912 S The Royal Flying Corps was established with a military wing under Major F. H. Sykes and a naval wing under Commander C. R. Samson.  A joint Naval and Military Flying School was established at Upavon with Captain Godfrey M. Paine, R.N., as Commandant and Major Hugh Trenchard as Assistant Commandant.  The Royal Aircraft Factory brought out the B.E. and F.E. types of biplane and an Aircraft Inspection Department was formed under Major J. H. Fulton.  The military wing of the R.F.C. was equipped almost entirely with machines of Royal Aircraft Factory design, but the Navy preferred to develop British private enterprise by buying machines from private firms. 1 Jul 1912 S S/Lt CL L’Estrange Malone was the second pilot to fly off a ship underway when he flew a Short S38 from off HMS London steaming at 12 knots. 30 Sep 1912 O Acting Cdr Samson promoted Lt Cdr. 1 May 1913 S The newly formed Air Department of the Admiralty commissioned the old cruiser HMS Hermes as the parent ship of the Naval Air Service.  During the Fleet Manoeuvres that year she operated the Short Folder Biplane No81, one of the first folding wing aircraft designed for naval use. 1 Jun 1914 P The Royal Naval Air Service was officially formed out of the Naval Air Service element of the Royal Flying Corps. 1 Jul 1914 S The establishment of the Royal Naval Air Service marked the definite separation of the military and naval sides of British aviation, but the Central Flying School at Upavon continued to train pilots for both services.  Acting Cdr Samson promoted Wg Cdr. 27 Aug 1914 S At the outbreak of hostilities, Samson took the Eastchurch Squadron to France, the first naval unit to be sent abroad.  Not content with air reconnaissance, he put together a motley collection of armoured and other vehicles to form a mobile column and started forays into the countryside, dropping bombs on German troops and eventually capturing Lille.  The birth of the Rolls Royce Armoured car came about when Winston Churchill became Lord of the Admiralty.  Due to the onslaught of the Germans using motorised transport, it was feared they would soon reach the channel coast  Churchill ordered the squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service into Dunkirk, with their primitive wire and canvas aircraft, under the command of C.R. Samson RN.  Shortage of transport prompted Samson and some of his officers to take their own cars to which they rapidly attached machine guns. Motor patrols were then formed to reconnoitre airfields to rescue airmen from crashes and guard against German intrusion.  Commander Samson realised the potential and sent proposals for fifty properly designed armoured bodied vehicles.  Churchill agreed, but raised the ante to one hundred vehicles, of which, eighteen were to be Rolls Royce on standard motor car chassis. So the Admiralty pattern 1914 Mk I Armoured Car came into being to become the most successful and long-lived fighting vehicle in history. 1 Sep 1914 S A collier was modified and launched as the seaplane carrier HMS Ark Royal, with a speed of 10.5 knots and designed to carry 10 aircraft, flown off trolleys over the bows.  It was soon evident that faster ships were necessary which could also provide adequate hangarage and personnel accommodation.  Fast cross-channel steamers were ideal for this purpose and during the next three years Empress, Engadine, Riviera, Ben-my-Chree (‘Woman of my Heart’)., Manxman, Vindex, Pegasus, Nairana and Campania were requisitioned.  Fastest of these, at 24.5 knots, was the flagship of the Isle of Man Steam Packet company’s fleet, Ben-my-Chree (See Appendix A) 9 Sep 1914 S Samson was promoted Commander RN. 1 Nov 1914 S Shortly after Great Britain declared war on Turkey a French seaplane unit (consisting of seven 80-horsepower Nieuport Seaplanes) operated from two seaplane carriers, under the Command of Lt de Vaisseau de l’Escaille based at Port Said and at the disposal of the British C-in-C Egypt for reconnaissance work over the Turkish areas in Sinai and Palestine.  The pilots were French, and the observers British, and their reports provided most valuable information.  The seaplane carriers Anne (ex-SS Aenne-Rickmers) and Raven II (ex-SS Rabenfels) were two ex-German freighters, captured early in the war and converted in 1915 to carry a few small seaplanes.  Anne had been lent to the French for patrol work along the Syrian coast.  While assisting the naval blockade of Smyrna she was torpedoed in the forward hold by the Turkish TB Demir Hissar, but a load of timber in the hold prevented her from sinking.  Following repairs she was transferred to the Royal Navy.  Raven II was larger than Anne. 1 Dec 1914 S Reconnaissance flights over the following six weeks, coupled with other intelligence, led the British Command to consider that a Turkish attack on the Suez Canal was imminent. 25 Dec 1914 S Lt L’Estrange Malone was commander of the three seaplane carriers Engadine, Riviera and Empress, operating off Heligoland, they launched a force of nine Short seaplanes to attack Zeppelin sheds at Cuxhaven; of these aircraft seven became airborne, but as a result of dense fog the crews were unable to locate their primary target and had to be satisfied by dropping their bombs in the general area; of the seven aircraft only three located the parent ships and were recovered; the crews of three more were picked up by a British submarine and the last crew was rescued by a Dutch trawler. 1 Jan 1915 S Ben-my-Chree was a channel ferry requisitioned from the  Isle of Man Steam Packet Co and converted by Cammell. Laird and Co at Birkenhead to a seaplane carrier, with a seaplane hangar built on the back.  Defensive armament was four 12-pdr quick-firing guns and two 3-pdr guns.  Magazines and ammunition hoists were provided for the guns, bomb and torpedo rooms for aircraft offensive armament and workshops for aircraft maintenance.  At that time she was very modern, spacious and faster than some destroyers being capable of some 26 knots.  She was eventually able to embark and disembark a seaplane in less than a minute. 18 Jan 1915 S A seaplane from Anne reported troop movements West of Beersheba. 19 Jan 1915 S A seaplane from Anne reported 10000 troops in the neighbourhood of Beersheba.  1 Feb 1915 S Soon after the commencement of the Dardanelles Campaign naval bombardment of the ‘Outer Forts’  began with ‘mobile’ air support from Ark Royal.  Her seaplanes, spotting for the Fleet, met with limited success.  The aircraft were unsuitable for this rôle but much experience was gained.  Cdr Samson returned to England from France on appointment as CO of No 3 Squadron RNAS, having been awarded the DSO, Croix  de Guerre, Mentioned in Despatches twice and made a Chevalier Légion d’Honneur..  During his time in France, Samson created another ‘first’ when he dropped a 500lb bomb from a Maurice Farman aeroplane.  His squadron, with an average strength of seven pilots, had flown 2,600 hours in nine months. 2 Feb 1915 P For two days the Turks attempted to cross the Suez Canal but were easily defeated. 1 Mar 1915 S The Eastchurch Squadron, No3 RNAS, commanded by Cdr Samson, deployed to the Dardanelles.  Reconnaissance, artillery spotting , bombing raids and anti-submarine patrols were the priority missions.  During this time Samson created another ‘first’ when he dropped a 500lb bomb from a Maurice Farman aeroplane. Three of the French Nieuport Seaplanes from Aenne Rickmers were deployed to Gulf of Smyrna 3 Mar 1915 S HMS Ben-my-Chree was commissioned under command of Cdr C L’Estrange Malone. 11 Mar 1915 S Aenne Rickmers was torpedoed by Turkish TB Demir Hissar , then towed to Mudros,  repaired and sent to Port Said.  The two remaining serviceable seaplanes at Port Said, operating from the Rabenfels, reconnoitred the coast of Palestine.  From this small beginning arose the organisation which eventually became the 64th Wing at Port Said and later Alexandria. 20 Mar 1915 S Engadine, Riviera and Empress set out to raid the wireless station at Norddeich and carry out a reconnaissance of Norden.  Bad sea conditions made it impossible for the seaplanes to operate and the raid was cancelled.  A second attempt by Empress in company with cruisers HMS Arethusa and Aurora, each cruiser carrying a seaplane, was abandoned because of fog off the German coast. 27 Mar 1915 S Ben-my-Chree sailed from Birkenhead for Calshot. 17 Apr 1915 S First seaplane, Sopwith Type 860 No 852, was taken on board Ben-my-Chree. 18 Apr 1915 S Second seaplane Sopwith Type 860, No 856, was taken on board Ben-my-Chree. 22 Apr 1915 S Third seaplane, Sopwith Type 860, No 858, was taken on board Ben-my-Chree. 26 Apr 1915 S The fourth seaplane, another Sopwith Type 860, had just been taken on board Ben-my-Chree only to crash on a test flight.  The pilot, Lt Medlicott, and A/M Hughes were both killed 28 Apr 1915 S HMS Ben-my-Chree joined the seaplane carriers Engadine, Riviera and Empress at her first war station in Harwich.  These three ships had carried out the successful Christmas Day raid on Cuxhaven.  Empress, whose temporary canvas hangar was not up to North Sea weather, was soon afterwards sent to Liverpool for installation of a permanent hangar.  Ben-my-Chree ran aground on a well buoyed sandbank but was refloated at high tide with the aid of a tug. 3 May 1915 S Early in the morning the forward flying-off platform was rigged , and Sopwith Schneider seaplane No1445 was taken forward mounted on a trolley ready for launching.  Half an hour later the three seaplane carriers, in company with a covering force of four light cruisers and eight destroyers, sailed for another attempt to raid Norddeich but it was again abandoned because of bad weather. 4 May 1915 S The carrier force returned to Harwich. 6 May 1915 S Shortly before 0500hrs Ben-my-Chree slipped her buoy at Harwich in company with cruisers HMS Arethusa and Undaunted.. Thick fog came down, speed was reduced but at 0504 hrs she was rammed by HM Torpedo Boat Destroyer (TBD) Lennox.  Damage was slight but the bow rudder jammed.  Ben-my-Chree anchored and waited until 1300hrs when the fog cleared. 11 May 1915 S At 0640hrs a final attempt was made to raid Norddeich with the same force as before.  At 1610hrs a Zeppelin was sighted and Ben-my-Chree left the line to launch Schneider 1445 but the engine failed to start.  As a result Engadine fell out of line and, covered by four TBDs, stopped to launch three seaplanes.  Fog descended, one seaplane returned safely to Engadine but the other two crashed.  One spun into the sea and the pilot was killed, the other damaged his aircraft whilst landing but was recovered safely by one of the TBDs which also took the wreckage aboard.  The squadron returned to Harwich and the carriers were redeployed. 20 May 1915  S (Date approx).  The first U-boat, U21 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Herning, appeared in the Mediterranean and sank the battleships HMS Triumph and HMS Majestic.  Consequently, because of her slow speed, Ark Royal was kept at anchor in Kephalo Bay, Imbros and became a depot ship for all aircraft operating from the island although her aircraft continued with spotting and reconnaissance missions. 1 Jun 1915 S The Eastchurch Squadron was re-titled No 3 Wing RNAS. 2 Jun 1915 S Ben-my-Chree was on passage to Iero Bay on the Isle of Lesbos, with coaling stops at Plymouth, Gibraltar and Malta. 12 Jun 1915 S Ben-my-Chree arrived at Iero Bay and took over the seagoing operations of Ark Royal. 14 Jun 1915 S Two seaplanes, Short Type 184 No841 and Short Type 830 No821, from Ben-my-Chree (also used as the target ship) commenced torpedo exercises which continued at regular intervals along with various other aircraft. The Short 184 seaplanes were built under contract by Mann Egerton of Norwich, powered by 260HP Sunbeam engines and armed with reinforced 14in naval torpedoes.  During the month Schneider 1445 flew a few reconnaissance missions, carrying four small bombs, in support of the naval patrol off Smyrna.  The two Short Type 830 seaplanes, Nos 820 and 821, were transferred to the shore, probably because their engines were unsuitable for operations in the high temperatures of the Aegean summer.  For the next few weeks there was little operational activity, the time being spent in servicing the seaplanes, coaling, exercising and painting ship.  This mundane routine had the effect of causing poor morale and periods of detention by the ship’s crew. 25 Jun 1915 S The Gnome engine of Schneider 1445 failed and the aircraft force-landed on the sea and was towed in by TBD HMS Wear. 11 Jul 1915 S The last of the torpedo exercises were carried out from Ben-my-Chree at sea. 17 Jul 1915 S The floats of Schneiders 1445 and 1560 were damaged during exercises in hoisting in and out seaplanes from Ben-my-Chree. 22 Jul 1915 S Ben-my-Chree sailed from Iero Bay, anchoring at Rabbit Island early the next day, with the mission to spot for the monitor HMS Roberts. 24 Jul 1915 S At 1545hrs (returning 1740hrs) the first operational flight in the Aegean from Ben-my-Chree was made by Short seaplane 184 spotting for HMS Roberts on target No 1 (Fort). 25 Jul 1915 S Short seaplane 841 spotted for HMS Roberts, targets No 164 (Fort) and No 1 (Fort). 26 Jul 1915 S Short seaplane 841 spotted for HMS Roberts. 28 Jul 1915 S Short seaplane 841 spotted for HMS Roberts. 31 Jul 1915 S Short seaplane 184 spotted for HMS Roberts. 1 Aug 1915 S Short seaplane 184, with Flt Lt Dacre, Mid Sisemore and two air mechanics transferred to Roberts to continue the spotting whilst Ben-my-Chree sailed for Mudros. 2 Aug 1915 S Ben-my-Chree sailed from Mudros for Sighajik to be part of a naval diversionary bombarding force led by the French cruiser Bruix, under the orders of her Admiral. 3 Aug 1915 S The French were unversed in the art of shooting to airborne commands and so the Short seaplanes of Ben-my-Chree were not required.  The two Schneider aircraft, 1445 and 1560, flew intruder missions.  No 1445, pilot Lt Bankes-Price, capsized without injury to the pilot.  The aircraft was salved as a source of spares. 4 Aug 1915 S Ben-my-Chree returned to Kephalo Bay to coal. 9 Aug 1915 S Ben-my-Chree sailed in the early afternoon for the Xeros Islands to spot for the cruiser HMS Cornwall.  Short seaplane 841 operated that evening and again next morning. 10 Aug 1915 S Ben-my-Chree sailed for Rabbit Island. 11 Aug 1915 S Short seaplane 184 (Lt Dacre) returned from HMS Roberts to be replaced by Short seaplane 841 (Flt Lt Wright).  Ben-my-Chree returned to the Gulf of Xeros. 12 Aug 1915 S The day of the most historic and significant episode in naval aviation (See Appendix B).  At 0437hrs Short seaplanes 184 and 842 (pilot Flt Cdr CHK Edmonds), armed with 14” torpedos, were prepared to carry out attacks on shipping in the approaches to the Sea of Marmora whilst Schneider seaplane 1560 was to patrol the coast of the Gulf of Xeros and observe results.  The engine of 184 failed but the other two aircraft carried on.  Flying across the narrow neck of land above Gallipoli and off Injeh Burnu a ship was sighted.  Gliding in to attack, the torpedo hit the ship which was observed to be settling down by the stern.  The Short seaplane returned at 0537hrs, the Schneider at 0543hrs.  Ben-my-Chree then sailed for Kephalo Bay for coaling and obtaining aircraft spares, including a new engine for Short seaplane 184, from Ark Royal.  (It subsequently turned out that the ship Edmonds attacked had been torpedoed and shelled by HM Submarine E14 four days previously, but nevertheless this was the first time in history that a ship had been torpedoed by an aircraft and taught the Turks a salutary lesson). 17 Aug 1915 S Ben-my-Chree was back in the Gulf of Xeros.  Short seaplanes 184 (Flt Lt Dacre) and 842 (Flt Cdr Edmonds), armed with torpedoes, sighted a convoy of three ships off Ak Bashi Liman.  Flt Cdr Edmonds attacked and set on fire the middle ship (later towed into Constantinople) and returned safely at 0608hrs.  Flt Lt Dacre had unfortunately force-landed with engine trouble in the Narrows close to a Turkish hospital ship.  However a friendly wave of the hand set Turkish minds at rest and Dacre taxied off in search of a target.  Dacre found a tug sheltering in False Bay, released his torpedo and sank the target.  Coming under rifle fire from the shore, he eventually became airborne after a take-off run of two miles and arrived back at Ben-my-Chree at 0611hrs.  The Schneider seaplane took off at 0900hrs on a shot reconnaissance, and upon its return Ben-my-Chree made for Kephalo Bay arriving 1300hrs. 23 Aug 1915 S Short seaplane 846 spotted for monitor M16 during the afternoon. 24 Aug 1915 S Ben-my-Chree, in company with cruiser HMS Chatham, on passage for Iero Bay.  Whilst off Aivali, Short seaplanes 842 and 846 and Schneider seaplane 1560 were flown off to show the flag. 26 Aug 1915 S Ben-my-Chree spent most of the day patrolling the Gulf of Smyrna, followed by a return to Iero Bay for coaling. 27 Aug 1915 S Ben-my-Chree arrived at Mudros where she spent the rest of the month storing and testing new aircraft. 2 Sep 1915 S Shortly after leaving Mudros Ben-my-Chree received an SOS from the troopship SS Southland which had been torpedoed 30 miles away.  During the subsequent rescue operations Ben-my-Chree took on board 649 troops (6th Imp Brigade AIF) and 121 crew from 21 boats and rafts and provided medical attention as required until all were transferred to the troopship SS Transylvania in Mudros harbour. 3 Sep 1915 S Lt Wright and the Short seaplane 841 were transferred from HMS Roberts to Ben-my-Chree 5 Sep 1915 S  Surplus seaplanes and parts were transferred from Ben-my-Chree to SS Tringa for return to UK. 1 Jan 1916 S Subsequent to the British evacuation of the Dardanelles, the Ben-my-Chree was transferred from the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron to Port Said, followed a little later by the Empress from the UK. During the campaign in Sinai and Palestine, seaplanes from the base were transported in small aircraft carriers (Ben-my-Chree, Empress, Anne, Raven II, etc) to operate, in co-operation with the land forces, against the Turkish lines of communications from Asia Minor to Aden. 1 Feb 1916 S Ben-my-Chree, Empress, Anne and Raven II, the French seaplane base and the British depot at Port Said were formed into the East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron under the Command of Sqn Cdr l’Estrange Malone. The unit’s duties comprised reconnaissance of approaches to Egypt through Syria and Sinai, bombing attacks along these routes, reconnaissance of the western desert, air patrols of the coasts of Sinai, Syria, Asia Minor, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Akaba.  A base on one of the islands in Port Said harbour was established to act as the administrative and maintenance centre for the squadron.  It was decided that Ben-my-Chree and Raven II would operate British seaplanes, whilst Anne would continue with the Nieuport seaplanes flown by French pilots with British observers. Eventually operations extended to distant bases in the Indian Ocean..  During the campaign in Sinai and Palestine, the seaplanes from the base were transported in the carriers to operate, in co-operation with the land forces, against the Turkish lines of communications from Asia Minor to Aden. 10 Feb 1916 S Ben-my-Chree left Port Said for Alexandria where a General, a Commander RN and an Army Captain embarked for a demonstration of the ship’s capabilities.  That afternoon, with an Italian TBD as escort, course was set for the Gulf of Sollum. 11 Feb 1916 S Short seaplane 849 took off at first light for a reconnaissance mission.  Subsequent engine trouble caused the aircraft to force land on the open sea but it capsized and sank.  The crew were rescued by HM Trawler Charlsin.  Ben-my-Chree returned to Port Said via Alexandria where the three visitors disembarked. 19 Feb 1916 S Ben-my-Chree at anchor in Port Said, was struck by SS Uganda resulting in considerable damage to the former’s bow.  Temporary repairs were carried out. 22 Feb 1916 S An under water examination determined that essential permanent repairs to Ben-my-Chree were necessary.  However the dry-dock at Suez was unable to take on the work for another few weeks. 7 Mar 1916 S Ben-my-Chree was off Gaza from where Flt Cdr Edmonds made his last operational sortie before returning to the UK.  Flying Short seaplane 846, in company with 850, he carried out a reconnaissance of the Gaza area after which the ship returned to Port Said. 12 Mar 1916 S Ben-my-Chree passed through the Suez Canal. 13 Mar 1916 S Ben-my-Chree entered dry-dock. 24 Apr 1916 S Repairs completed, Ben-my-Chree left dry-dock. 25 Apr 1916 S Ben-my-Chree returned to Port Said. 31 Apr 1916 S Anne left for a refit at Malta.  The French seaplane element was withdrawn from the squadron and re-deployed to a lagoon near Port Said. 8 May 1916 S Enemy aircraft activities involved AA retaliation.  No damage. 9 May 1916 S Enemy aircraft activities involved AA retaliation.  No damage. 14 May 1916 S Sqn Cdr (later Wg Cdr) CR Samson succeeded Sqn Cdr l’Estrange Malone who remained as second in command and spent most of his time in Raven II.  His previous command had been No 3 Squadron (?Wing) RNAS in the Dardanelles.  The AA defences of Ben-my-Chree were strengthened by the addition of a modified 12-pdr gun, a 2-pdr pom-pom and a 3-pdr carriage mounted gun (ex- HMS Hannibal and a relic of Samson’s armoured car activities in France). 17 May 1916 S Lt J. Wedgwood Benn (later Lord Wedgwood Benn, Labour Cabinet Minister and father of Tony Benn MP), an army officer who had done some flying as an observer with the French seaplanes, joined Ben-my-Chree .  Benn became Samson’s regular observer and hence the squadron’s Chief Observer.  He instigated a system of ‘intelligence boxes’, which arrived aboard a ship shortly before it went to sea, containing a summary of the current military situation. 18 May 1916 S Short seaplane 8054, during the morning, spotted for monitors M15 and M26 firing on the forts and airfield at El Arish.  The aircraft returned after 50 minutes with an overheated engine and was replaced by Schneider seaplane 8189 and later 8188.  After the bombardment was finished Ben-my-Chree closed with the shore and fired twenty-seven 12-pdr rounds at trenches near the town and fort.  The fort was destroyed and the airfield hangars damaged.  Later Schneider seaplane 8189 flew a reconnaissance of Khan Yunis and reported a large camp which was subsequently bombed and leaflets dropped.  Ben-my-Chree then returned to Port Said. 23 May 1916  S An attempt was made by Cdr Sansom and Lt Wedgwood Benn to reconnoitre the Jaffa and Ramleh areas.  During take-off in rough sea conditions one of the floats struck a wave and collapsed.  The Short seaplane was lost but the crew were rescued unharmed.  27 May 1916 S A second successful armed reconnaissance of Jaffa and Ramleh area was made by Cdr Samson and Lt Wedgwood Benn in Short seaplane 850, accompanied by Flt Lt Bankes-Price in Schneider seaplane 3774.  Soldiers were attacked with two 65lb bombs and machine gun fire, after which the Short seaplane returned to the ship whilst the Schneider seaplane carried on to Ramleh, attacking a camp with five 20lb bombs.  Ben-my-Chree turned south towards Gaza.  Short seaplane 850 (Flt Cdr England) dropped HE bombs on a camp near Gaza and an incendiary on the town of Khan Yunis.  Ben-my-Chree continued South and Flt Cdr England in the same seaplane reconnoitred El Arish and bombed camps and the airfield.  During this operation, Ben-my-Chree was attacked by a German aeroplane which straddled the ship with four bombs dropped from 5000 feet and fired a machine gun from 4000 feet.  The ship’s AA guns returned fire and the E/A flrw off before the Short seaplane returned.  There was no damage and Ben-my-Chree returned to Port Said. 31 May   At the same time, during the naval Battle of Jutland, there was the first major fleet action in which an aeroplane was used to significant effect.  Sailing with the Grand Fleet was the seaplane carrier HMS Engadine (later to join the East Indies and Egypt Squadron in Port Said), which at 14.40 was ordered to launch an aircraft to reconnoitre north north east of the fleet; the aircraft launched was the Short Type 184 No. 8359, crewed by Flight-Lieutenant F. J. Rutland and Assistant Paymaster G. S. Trewin; although under heavy fire from the Germans they were able provide the battle-cruiser commander, Vice Admiral Sir David Beattie, with important observations of the enemy fleet's movements. 2 Jun 1916 S During a lull in the Sinai front, Cdr Samson proposed to the C-in-C (Admiral Wemyss) that Ben-my-Chree should go to Aden to help counter the threat there from the Turkish troops commanded by Said Pasha.  This course of action was agreed and the ship left Port Said for Aden via the Suez Canal. 7 Jun 1916 S The high ambient temperature in the Red Sea meant that the water-cooled engines of the Short seaplanes could operate up to 1500 feet only in the early morning or late afternoon and even then the engines were close to seizing.  Thus Cdr Samson, realising that once Ben-my-Chree arrived in Aden surprise would be lost, took-off at first light in Short seaplane 8054 to reconnoitre the Turkish position and landed back before the ship had anchored.  As a result he was able to provide the SNO and Gen Walton with a comprehensive report and map of the Turkish positions, an impressive demonstration of the value of aerial reconnaissance which was greatly appreciated.  This action resulted in Samson being given a free hand to plan an intensive bombing campaign.  8 Jun 1916 S The seaplanes on strength at the time were Short 850, 8054 and 8082, Schneider 3789 and 3790 and Sopwith Baby No8189.  During the five days the ship was at Aden, 15 sorties were carried out dropping three 112lb, three 65lb, four 16lb and 14 petrol bombs. The plan was for attacks to be made twice daily on targets in Laheg and Subar.  The first raid was on Laheg, What and Subar. 9 Jun 1916 S Laheg, Darb and Waht were bombed.  Cdr Samson returned early with a completely dry radiator.  Flt Lt Bankes-Price in a Schneider seaplane was well inland when his engine stopped dead and, after releasing his bombs, he commenced gliding back to the ship.  Fortunately, whilst still over land and rapidly losing height, the engine restarted and ran long enough for the seaplane to land safely in Aden harbour. 10 Jun 1916 S No action in the hope that the enemy would assume the attacks had finished and thus leave their dugouts. 11 Jun 1916 S The raids resumed and Laheg and Subar were bombed.  One Short seaplane failed to get airborne. 12 Jun 1916 S Subar camp was attacked and left burning.  In the afternoon Ben-my-Chree sailed for Perim Island. 13 Jun 1916 S Ben-my-Chree arrived Perim Island before dawn with the intention of destroying the Turkish guns (one was a 5” calibre) at Sheikh Said.  It was planned to use the W/T equipped Short seaplane 850 to spot for the 12-pdr guns of Ben-my-Chree at 0500hrs but engine trouble prevented take-off.  A Schneider seaplane, using Verey lights, was substituted but found to be an unsatisfactory method so the ship sailed to within 2000 yards of the coast and opened enfilade fire.  The Schneider marked the target with two incendiary bombs on the camp and then went on to drop a further five 16lb bombs causing considerable damage.  Ben-my-Chree opened fire at 4600 yards range, the Schneider seaplane observed four shells fall on the target and subsequently the Turkish 5”gun ceased firing.  Ben-my-Chree withdrew, a Short seaplane was launched to act as spotter, the ship closed land again and opened fire on two guns on the slopes of Jebel Akrabi.  The Turkish return fire straddled the ship, one shell passing through the forward funnel but otherwise there was little damage.  However the Turkish guns were quickly silenced, one receiving a direct hit.  Another gun position North of Jebel Akrabi was located and bombed by the Short seaplane before it then spotted using W/T for Ben-my-Chree. After refuelling and rearming, the aircraft took off with one 112lb, one 20lb and two incendiaries to attack a camp near Khor Ghorera, inland from Sheikh Said.  A final flight was completed to photograph and bomb camps and entrenchments between Jebel Akrabi and Sheikh Malu.  By 1000hrs Ben-my-Chree had left for Port Soudan to coal before returning to Suez and Port Said, but was diverted en-route to proceed urgently for Jeddah. 15 Jun 1916 S Ben-my-Chree arrived Jeddah during the morning and , after a conference with the local SNO Captain Boyle of HMS Fox, seaplanes in support of Feisal, the son of the Sherif of Mecca, bombed Turkish positions in Jeddah and machine-gunned troops.  Flt Cdr England in a Schneider was detailed to breach the eastern wall of the town but the bomb missed the target and the planned Arab attack could not proceed.  Flt Lt Bankes-Price successfully bombed and machine-gunned trenches south of the town from 100 feet.  Cdr Samson and Lt Wedgwood Benn made a photo-reconnaissance of the town and defences before dropping a 112lb bomb on two guns (target missed) and machine-gunning the northern trenches.  The aircraft was hit by ground fire damaging the engine, propeller, elevator control wires and the fuselage (the heel of Cdr Samson’s shoe being removed by a bullet).  A successful landing was made before the engine seized. 16 Jun 1916 S Flying operations were cancelled at dawn when the Jeddah force of 45 Turkish officers and 1460 men surrendered.  The SNO signalled Ben-my-Chree ‘…..probably the seaplanes decided the matter’. 17 Jun 1916 S Ben-my-Chree left Jeddah for coaling at Port Soudan. 21 Jun 1916 S Ben-my-Chree arrived Suez leaving Anne (recently refitted at Malta and mounting a 12-pdr gun) on deployment in the Red Sea. 22 Jun1916 S Ben-my-Chree arrived Port Said. 1 Jul 1916 S Raven II sailed for a cruise along the Syrian coast, calling at Famagusta and Castelorizo.  One Schneider had engine failure and was lost half a mile from Acre.  The pilot was rescued by a Short, which landed alongside and picked him up before sinking the Schneider by machine gun fire.  The Short took off with the rescued pilot astride the fuel tank and landed back at Raven II. 6 Jul 1916 S Ben-my-Chree, in company with the French destroyer Dard, left Port Said to reconnoitre the Syrian coast.  Off El Arish a Schneider was launched to bomb some trenches after a Short had failed to get airborne.  Flying inland towards the airfield it was headed off by two enemy aircraft, one of which was an LVG (probably either a Pfalz E11 or a Rumpler CI) but the chase was abandoned when the Schneider approached the Ben-my-Chree.  7 Jul 1916 S Off Beirut another attempt was made to launch a Short, the rough sea shattered the propeller which was replaced, calmer water found and the Short took off and reconnoitred the harbour where supply schooners and dhows were unsuccessfully bombed.  The aircraft then machine gunned a camel convoy and a military post with some results at the mouth of the Nahr El Kebir.  A second Short attempted to reach the railway station at Tel Tele but aborted with engine trouble.  During the return flight two German tugs were seen on the Nahr El Kebir river.  That evening Ben-my-Chree reached Ruad , the Governor requested a reconnaissance of the coast facing the island and immediately an aircraft was airborne. 8 Jul 1916 S A second reconnaissance of the coast was carried out, the Governor was given maps and photos showing positions of the Turkish positions and posts, two Schneiders bombed the two tugs seen the previous day without result and Ben-my-Chree set sail to coal at Famagusta.  En route a submarine surfaced astern  and the Dard opened fire but the submarine dived and escaped.  Making for Famagusta independently Samson astonished the harbour master by entering the harbour stern first at speed, thanks to the bow rudder on the Ben-my-Chree. 9 Jul 1916 S Ben-my-Chree, after coaling, returned to Nahr El Kebir to attack the German tugs. 10 Jul 1916 S Two Schneider seaplanes dropped eight bombs on the tugs without result.  A short seaplane then spotted for Ben-my-Chree and the vessels plus the military outpost were damaged.  During the return to Port Said, reconnaissance flights were made of Beirut harbour, Haifa and Acre. 11 Jul 1916 S Ben-my-Chree arrived Port Said in the evening.  For the next ten days 27 anti-submarine patrols, totalling 17 hrs 8 minutes flying time, were carried out.  No submarines were seen, but over 350000 tons of shipping safely transitted the Suez Canal. 24 Jul 1916 S The northern approaches to the canal were reconnoitred to observe any movement of troop movements from the direction of El Shellal, Beersheba and El Arish.  A camp near El Maadon was photographed and bombed.  Shortly after the seaplanes returned, a German aircraft dropped three bombs from high altitude and narrowly missed both Ben-my-Chree and the French destroyer Arbalette.  AA return fire was inconclusive.  The ships returned to Port Said. 25 Jul 1916 S Ben-my-Chree sailing in company with French destroyer Arbalette sailed along the coast road between Bir El Mazar and Haifa, with reconnaissance flights being made inland over Nazareth, Samaria and Nablus.  During the afternoon three schooners were sighted, driven ashore and destroyed by gunfire and bombs.  The destruction of the largest had been specifically requested.  It was of about 250 tons and evidently carrying ammunition, since after being hit by the first shell there was a large explosion. 26 July 1916 S Cdr Samson and Lt Wedgwood Benn in a Short seaplane, during a reconnaissance of El Afuleh, bombed a train with 1500 troops in the station and set it on fire with a direct hit from a 16lb bomb.  Ground fire destroyed destroyed a main-plane strut and damaged the elevators, but the aircraft returned safely.  Two more schooners and a road bridge at Hammam were destroyed by gunfire.  Poor weather at first prevented reconnaissance of Samaria and Nablus but a Short and a Schneider seaplane observed the roads and railways in the El Falujeh and Ramleh areas.  A Turkish post on the coast fired on the aircraft without damage and was subsequently destroyed by gunfire.  Later reconnaissance of Samaria and Nablus resulted in camps and trenches being seen at Tulkeram and Nablus. 27 Jul 1916 S Ben-my-Chree returned to Port Said and went into dock for a boiler clean. 6 Aug 1916 S Anne  rendezvoused with a French force, spotted for their guns attacking Mersina, and successfully bombed some targets. 7 Aug 1916 S Raven II, under command of L’Estrange Malone, returned to Poet Said from the Red Sea where she had been working with the navy and mapping Akaba.  Landings were made on two occasions, on one of which a Turkish sergeant offered to surrender his post for 100 piastres. 9 Aug 1916 S Raven II was ordered to spot for monitor M21 but the Short seaplane W/T signals could not be received and the operation was aborted.  A second Short seaplane attacked a large camp and was intercepted by a German Fokker aircraft on return.  The fuel tanks, radiator and floats were damaged and the seaplane began to sink on landing but was salvaged by Raven II.  At the same time both Raven II and M21 were bombed by two more E/A but were not damaged.  This was the first of many encounters with E/A which led to the Short seaplanes being escorted by two or more Schneider seaplanes. 12 Aug 1916 S Anne returned to Port Said. 14 Aug 1916 S Ben-my-Chree departed Port Said for Sinai. 15 Aug 1916 S Off Haifa, three Short seaplanes took off on reconnaissance missions.  A Schneider seaplane was unable to get airborne.  One Short seaplane flew inland and dropped three 16lb bombs and one 65lb bomb on about six engines, 30 passenger coaches and 40 goods wagons at the El Afuleh rail junction.  Two engines and a store were hit and one coach set on fire.  The second aircraft flew south to Athlit, crossed the mountains and bombed a camp at Jeida.  The third caused considerable damage to Tubaun camp.  Ben-my-Chree then sailed south and reconnaissance flights were made over Ramleh and El Shellal.  Whilst the ship was returning to Port Said, a Schneider seaplane reconnoitred the area between El Arish and Bir El Mazar.  A letter was received from the Admiralty requiring to know why Ben-my-Chree had used so much ammunition in the last three months compared with earlier periods.  Cdr Samson replied ‘that there was unfortunately a war on’. 25 Aug 1916 S Cdr Samson had sought and obtained permission to mount a maximum scale attack on the busy rail junction at El Afuleh.  Thus the three ships of the squadron gathered off Haifa at dawn having sailed separately from Port Said.  Raven II and Anne, escorted by the trawler Paris II and French destroyer Hache had sailed before the faster Ben-my-Chree escorted by Arbalette.  Six Short seaplanes (Cdr CR Samson & Capt J Wedgwood Benn, Flt Cdr GB Dacre & A N Other, Flt Lt AW Clemson & Cdr (?) L’Estrange Malone, Flt Lt AS Maskell & 2/Lt E King, Flt Lt JC Brooke & 2/Lt Williams, Flt S/Lt GD Smith & Lt V Millard) and four Schneider seaplanes (Flt Cdr TH England, Flt Lt JT Bankes-Price, Flt Lt W Man, Flt S/Lt LP Paine) flew in formation starboard quarter on the CO’s aircraft inland to El Afuleh and split into sections as planned.  Although the AA defences had been considerably strengthened, considerable damage was caused by dropping thirteen 65lb and 112lb bombs and thirty-one 16lb bombs resulting in the destruction of one engine, 14 carriages and a quantity of stores.  Much damage was also caused to the permanent way and station buildings.  All the aircraft returned safely.  To avoid a counter attack, Raven II and Anne immediately set off for a new rendezvous.  Ben-my-Chree stayed on to send two Short seaplanes to observe the bomb damage before leaving for the rendezvous.  Steaming southwards Ben-my-Chree and Arbalette  sank a large dhow and captured a smaller one which was taken aboard Ben-my-Chree.  The next objective was the large camp at Bureir and the railway viaduct at Wadi El Hesi where three Short seaplanes and four Schneider seaplanes caused casualties and damaged the permanent way.  Flt Cdr Dacre became a POW when his engine failed overland.  Anne spent some time searching for him.  The squadron then split up and Ben-my-Chree sailed north, Anne to Jaffa and Raven II to Adalia. 26 Aug 1916 S Ben-my-Chree arrived off Nahr El Kebir during the morning.  A Short seaplane (Flt Cdr England, 2/Lt King) crossed the 1800 foot mountain pass with a cloud base of 1500 feet and in a strong headwind to bomb Homs station, an overland flight of 90 miles.  Cdr Samson, who had set out at the same time, failed to make the crossing.  In the afternoon an attempt was made to reconnoitre Ruad Island but the sea was too rough and Ben-my-Chree went to Famagusta to coal.  A Short seaplane (Flt Lt Brook) from Anne reconnoitred Samaria and Nablus, bombing Tulkeram en route. 27 Aug 1916 S Raven II looked for mines and submarines north of Adalia.  Anne returned to Port Said. 28 Aug 1916 S Raven II returned to Port Said. 29 Aug 1916 S Ben-my-Chree left Famagusta for Karatash Burnu to reconnoitre Adana station.  One Short seaplane was unable to gain sufficient height and returned to the ship.  A second Short seaplane (Cdr Samson) dropped one 65lb bomb and one 16lb bomb on a troop train in the station and a similar load on a railway bridge but missed both targets.  Later a Schneider seaplane bombed several lighters at Tarsus Chai before Ben-my-Chree set sail for Port Said. 30 Aug 1916 S Ben-my-Chree arrived Port Said. 31 Aug 1916 S Raven II was bombed in an air raid incurring some damage and several casualties.  The increased activity of German aoircraft resulted in Cdr Samson training his pilots to fly in fighting formations, with each Short seaplane being escorted by two Schneider seaplanes.  Extensive air gunnery was practised against towed targets, but the seaplanes were no match for the landplanes.  Nevertheless Ben-my-Chree was a very happy ship with an excellent band and a concert party.  Cdr Samson and other officers kept several horses ashore which, with a little golf and the use of a 24hp Wolseley tender (a relic from No 3 Wing), provided suitable relaxation. 1 Sep 1916 S  Anne, taking the place of the damaged Raven II, sailed for the Red Sea. 13 Sep 1916 S Ben-my-Chree sailed for Beersheba. 14 Sep 1916 S One Short seaplane with two Schneider seaplanes (two others had last minute engine trouble) from Ben-my-Chree reconnoitred Beersheba.  Heavy AA, but no E/A, damaged a float on the Short seaplane and, on the return flight, a Schneider seaplane flown by Cdr Samson experienced severe engine vibration.  Shortly after landing the engine fell out of its mountings and shattered the propeller and the floats.  Subsequent examination revealed rotten upper longerons caused by old age and extreme climate.  Ben-my-Chree returned to Port Said. 17 Sep 1916 S Ben-my-Chree was ordered to spot simultaneously for Espiègle and monitors M15 and M31, which were 10 miles apart.  Cdr Samson’s request to concentrate on one target was over-ruled.  Arriving over El Arish at dawn the seaplanes split into two flights.  Short seaplane (Flt Lt Maskell, S/Lt Kerry) with two Schneider seaplanes (Flt Lt Bankes-Price and Flt S/Lt Nightingale) spotted for the monitors.  Short seaplane (Flt Cdr England, 2/Lt King) and two Schneider seaplanes (Cdr Samson and Flt S/Lt Man) for Espiègle.  The second flight, finding no targets of worth, returned to Ben-my-Chree where the Short seaplane landed and the two Schneider seaplanes flew on to reinforce the first flight.  Flt S/Lt Man had engine trouble and crashed but was rescued by a trawler.  Cdr Samson found that the monitors were not firing and flew inland to search for the first flight but without success and returned to the ship.  The first flight had just started spotting when a German aircraft separated the Short seaplane from its escorts.  Bankes-Price engaged the E/A when his Schneider seaplane, for no clear reason, burst into flames killing the pilot.  The E/A then forced down the other Schneider seaplane.  Flt S/Lt Nightingale was picked up by a monitor and his aircraft by a trawler.  The Short seaplane was then attacked but Flt Lt Maskell flew under the German landplane and S/Lt Kerry fired a long accurate burst and the E/A made for home being hopelessly chased for a while by the Short seaplane.  During the course of these actions, Ben-my-Chree was attacked by three German aircraft but the eight bombs dropped caused no damage.  The force then returned to Port Said. 26 Oct 1916 S Raven II replaced Anne who had been carrying out various duties in the Red Sea. 1 Nov 1916 S The German raider Wolf, equipped with a seaplane, sailed for the Indian Ocean via the Cape. 2 Nov 1916 S Ben-my-Chree sailed from Port Said. 3 Nov 1916 S Ben-my-Chree rendezvoused off Adalia with Amiral de Spitz’s yacht, the destroyer Dard and three trawlers, one the Canada being armed with a 5.5 inch gun, to destroy batteries that had been firing on French patrols.  A Short seaplane spotted for the trawler and the batteries were soon destroyed.  A little further up the coast the force was engaged by another battery.  A Short seaplane was immediately sent to locate the guns which were eventually destroyed by shelling and bombing, but not before Ben-my-Chree was straddled several times and the yacht hit twice.  At dusk Ben-my-Chree retired to Castelorizo. 4 Nov 1916 S Two seaplanes searched, without success, for guns on the mainland reported as being able to fire into the harbour of Castelorizo.  Ben-my-Chree then sailed for Port Said. 23 Nov 1916 S A Short seaplane known as the ‘Experimental Short’, modified to Cdr Samson’s designs, made its first flight.  The underpowered seaplanes had constantly plagued the squadron and modifications had been made to the airframe and engine to improve performance.  The work included shortening the lower wing and fitting ski type floats. 1 Dec 1916 S Ben-my-Chree, escorted by the destroyer Dard, sailed in the evening from Port Said for Haifa.  The untried ‘Experimental Short’ was left behind. 2 Dec 1916 S A Short seaplane reconnoitred along the Nazareth valley and to El Afuleh railway junction and a Schneider seaplane covered the Tulkeram – Samaria road.  Ben-my-Chree then turned south towards Jaffa where a Short seaplane (Flt S/Lt Nightingale, Lt Woodland) took off at noon to fly over Ramleh towards Bureir.  Over Ramleh the aircraft received a direct hit from AA defences and disappeared, out of control, behind a ridge of hills.  Ben-my-Chree stopped and another Short seaplane was despatched to search but without success.  Later that evening a German wireless message was intercepted stating that the missing crew were safe in captivity.  A flight was then made to Falujeh by a Short seaplane, and a Schneider seaplane reconnoitred the area between Bureir and Gaza.  During this time Ben-my-Chree was closely bombed by a German aeroplane which departed before the reconnaissance aircraft returned.  Ben-my-Chree then returned to Port Said. 8 Dec 1916 S The ‘Experimental Short’ seaplane was test flown again. 12 Dec 1916 S After another test flight with the ‘Experimental Short’ seaplane, Cdr Samson recorded that with a pilot, observer and 45 gallons of fuel, the aircraft climbed to 3000 feet in 15 minutes and to 4000 feet in 22 minutes with the engine at 50 rpm below full power.  Thus encouraged, the modified aircraft was taken aboard Ben-my-Chree. On this same day HMAS Brisbane left Sydney for the Mediterranean via Singapore. On arrival at Malta she was docked and fitted out with equipment not then available in Australia. Early in 1917 as enemy raiders were active in the Indian Ocean, HMAS Brisbane was dispatched to Colombo. From this base she carried out patrol duties as a unit of the Royal Navy's East Indian Squadron. In February 1917 she was equipped with a 'Baby' Sopwith seaplane from HMS Raven II which she used for reconnaissance work. 20 Dec 1916 S The ‘Experimental Short’ seaplane made its first operational sorties with a reconnaissance flight off the coast of Palestine. 21 Dec 1916 S The ‘Experimental Short’ seaplane flew over Gaza. 22 Dec 1916 S Ben-my-Chree was bombed by a German Taube landplane, without damage to either ship or aircraft. 23 Dec 1916 S The ‘Experimental Short’ seaplane reconnoitred Jaffa/ Ramleh and Haifa.  After these flights the ship’s operational report stated ‘The speed which she rose from the water and climbed fully justified the alterations made in her.  The unconverted Short which was trying to keep station on her was left far behind.’  Ben-my-Chree returned to Port Said. 25 Dec 1916 S Cdr Samson had for some time been endeavouring to obtain permission to bomb the railway bridge at Chicaldere, a vital link in the Turkish communication system.  Permission was now given and Raven II sailed from Port Said for the Gulf of Alexandretta. 26 Dec 1916 S Ben-my-Chree sailed from Port Said to rendezvous with Raven II.  27 Dec 1916 S A Short seaplane was despatched to investigate and bomb a ship seen at anchor.  Four 16lb and one 65lb bombs were dropped; it was subsequently learnt that the ship had been driven aground by the French Navy a year previously.  A Short seaplane (Flt S/Lt Smith & Capt Wedgwood Benn) and three Schneider seaplanes (Cdr Samson, Flt Lt Clemson, Flt Lt Brooke) from Ben-my-Chree, in the first phase, bombed the Chicaldere (Chikaldir) bridge over the Jeiham.  The Short seaplane dropped one 65lb bomb on the bridge and two 16lb bombs on a train but all three failed to explode and the aircraft then attacked the bridge defences.  The Schneider seaplanes obtained one direct hit and two near misses on the bridge.  In the second phase, two Short seaplanes (Flt Lt Burling & Lt Stewart, Flt S/Lt King & Lt Williams) from Raven II obtained a further hit on the bridge.  Finally one Short seaplane (Flt Lt Maskell & Lt WL Samson) and two Schneider seaplanes (Flt Lt Clemson, Flt S/Lt Henderson) from Ben-my-Chree secured one more hit on the bridge and caused some damage to the embankment. The bridge was out of action for a week thus delaying the passage of heavy guns to Baghdad.  The force left the Gulf, intending to return the next day, but the C-in-C was satisfied with the results and ordered them back to Port Said. 2 Jan 1917 S Ben-my-Chree sailed for the Gulf of Alexandretta to take part in further operations but bad weather caused the ship to shelter in Famagusta, from where she was recalled to Port Said. 5 Jan 1917 S Ben-my-Chree arrived back at Port Said. 8 Jan 1917 S Ben-my-Chree sailed for Castelorizo to carry out flights for the French.  Although Cdr Samson had voiced his concern at entering the harbour because of the submarine threat, at Amiral de Spitz’s request Ben-my-Chree entered the harbour and tied up facing seaward.  A lighter, with stores to unload, came alongside.  When this departed it took with it the ship’s Manx cat, which had been aboard since 1909, and no amount of coaxing could get it to return.  At 1410hrs an explosion occurred 15 yards off the port beam.  Thought at first to be an air attack, it was soon realised that the ship was being shelled at a range of 5000 yards from the guns that the Short seaplanes had failed to locate at the beginning of November.  The third round set fire to the hangar and, thereafter under continual hits from 6 inch and 17-pdr shells, the position was untenable and at 1445hrs the order was given to abandon ship.  Cdr Sansom and Mr Robinson (Ship’s Engineer) were the last to leave.  The ensuing fire was then directed at other ship’s in the harbour and the town of Castelorizo.  Considerable damage was caused.  The crew of Ben-my-Chree, under Capt Wedgwood Benn, formed part of the defence force to oppose any landings the Turks might make.  The ship’s surgeon organised a hospital ashore.  10 Jan 1917 S Ben-my-Chree was still burning.  Most of the crew were evacuated from the far, seaward, side of the island during the night leaving two parties behind to salvage the ship’s gear and help in defence. 18 Jan 1917 S Cdr Samson and the rear parties left Castelorizo for Port Said aboard the tug Alexandra.  A subsequent Court-martial acquitted Cdr Samson and the crew of all responsibility and commended them for their behaviour.  Cdr Samson was later awarded a bar to his DSO ‘in recognition of his continued gallantry and distinguished service as a flying officer’  He continued in command of the East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron, now only Raven II and Anne.  Then Empress was transferred from the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron and, after refitting, replaced Ben-my-Chree at the East Indies Station.  War in the Air records: ‘The Ben-my-Chree proved a great addition to the air strength in the Eastern Mediterranean.  She provided, indeed, a highly mobile, self-contained air unit and proved her value in a diversity of  ways.  Her seaplanes were, at various times, used for bombing, torpedo attacks, spotting for ships’ gun-fire, reconnaissance by day and night, low-flying attacks on troops, and anti-submarine patrols.’   After the war it was planned to salvage the Ben-my-Chree and, although the hulk was raised by the Ocean Salvage Company in 1921, she was only towed as far as Piraeus harbour and later resold to an Italian firm and finally scrapped. 1 Mar 1917 S Anne, no longer of value as a seaplane carrier, was replaced by City of Oxford, a former kite-balloon ship and ex-freighter.  10 Mar 1917 S Raven II, (Cdr Samson) sailed from Port Said to join French cruiser Peuthuan at Aden to search for the German raider Wolf.  2 Apr 1917 S The seaplane was successfully pushed off the reef in the darkness of the early hours. The observer, on top of the centre section, guided the pilot through the reefs from one Island to another in a fruitless search for a channel.   Eventually the seaplane was beached in lashing rain, made fast to a palm tree and the crew built a rough shelter for themselves. Later that day the seaplane re-floated with the incoming tide and was flown off.  The crew were unable to recover their clothes and they had only an hour’s supply of fuel.  They were eventually forced to land in a lagoon and swim for safety.  Natives later conveyed them to Fiale Island where they were held captive. 4 Apr 1917 S The search for the missing seaplane was called off 21 Apr 1917 S The search for Wolf was first centred on the group of Laccadive Islands and then transferred to the Maldive Islands. A seaplane from Raven II, crewed by two officers, failed to return.  However, the seaplane had been landed safely in a storm and in the dark on a coral reef on the most southerly Island of the Maldives. 26 Apr 1917 S The seaplane survivors held captive in Fiale Island were taken by dhow to the Sultan of Male Island, fed and clothed in the uniforms of the Sultan’s bodyguard.  Later they were transferred to Colombo. 6 May 1917 S The survivors of the seaplane, which had force landed in the Maldives the previous month, rejoined Raven II.  The seaplane was later recovered undamaged.  Later Sqn Cdr Samson was posted back to England and, in the following November, assumed command of the Great Yarmouth Air Station. 1 Jan 1918 P A seaplane from Port Said was deployed to Alexandria for patrol and escort duties because of intense U-boat activity in the area.  Subsequently the Alexandria and Port Said seaplane bases were unified as the Egypt and East Indies Seaplane Station which soon became the Naval Wing, RAF Egypt.  Wg Cdr Samson promoted Wg Capt. 1 Feb 1918 S The raider Wolf returned safely to Germany. 1 Apr 1918 O Wg Capt Samson re-appointed Temporary Col (Lt Col) RAF. 1 Jun 1918 P The Naval Wing, RAF Egypt was re-designated 64th Wing, RAF.  (The original 64th Wing had been formed in France from No 4 Wing RNAS at the time the RAF came into being but was disbanded very soon afterwards). 21 Sep 1918 P  RAF aircraft in Palestine attack and destroy the retreating Turkish Seventh Army at Wadi el Fara. TE Lawrence wrote: "It was the RAF which converted the retreat into a rout, which had abolished their telephone and telegraph connections, had blocked their lorry columns and scattered their infantry units".  (n.b. It is not known if aircraft of 64th Wing RAF were involved). 6 Oct 1918 S No 269 Squadron RAF was formed, under Command of Major PL Holmes, forming part of the 64th Wing with HQ at Alexandria, from Nos 431 and 432 Seaplane Flight at Port Said equipped with Short 184 and Baby Seaplanes and DH9 and BE2c landplanes.  It operated seaplanes from the harbour and a flight of B.E.2es and D.H.9s was based ashore. Anti-submarine patrols were flown until the Armistice.  2 Feb 1919 S Lt Louis Edward Best, a Canadian, of No 269 Squadron Seaplane Base, Port Said awarded the AFC for ‘services in Egypt’ as per London Gazette of that date.   Home in Victoria, British Columbia. Enlisted in CEF in early 1915. As a Sergeant in 67th Battalion, he transferred to RNAS in June 1917. With RFC in Canada; returned as a Lieutenant to Britain, 1 April 1918 (may have been an instructor). Effective 2 February 1919 Home in Victoria, British Columbia.  9 Jun 1919 S  Lt LE Best posted from No 269 Squadron to RAF Base Depot, Aboukir.. 1 Aug 1919 O Temp Col (Lt Col) Samson re-appointed Wg Cdr RAF.  4 Aug 1919 O Inter-service squabbling in the wake of massive post-war defence cuts reached a new low when the Army and Navy refuse to allow the RAF to use their officer ranks, forcing Trenchard to create new ones. The new rank titles (Pilot Officer, Flight Lieutenant etc.) came into being on this date. 5 Aug 1919 O Wg Cdr Samson promoted Gp Capt. 15 Sep 1919 S No 269 Squadron, Commanded by Flt Lt N Stewart, the seaplanes moved from Port Said to Alexandria, leaving a detachment at Port Said, and merged with No.267 Squadron, the landplane flight having been disbanded in March. 1 Oct 1919 S Sqn Ldr KC Buss took over Command of No 269 Squadron.. 15 Nov 1919 S No 269 Squadron was absorbed by No 267 Squadron and disbanded. 1 Jan 1922 O Gp Capt Samson promoted Air Cdre. 27 Jan 1923 O First Annual Reunion Dinner No 269 Squadron Old Comrades Association