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Disperser - a general history

Completed as gunboat HMS Bonetta: Official No. 127450.

Owners: 1871 Royal Navy; 1909 NE Salvage & Shipbreaking, Co (WH Loveridge & Co, Church Street) West Hartlepool converted to salvage vessel-renamed Disperser.

Masters: 1918 WH Peek; 1919 W Doran.

Bound from Whitby for Ramsgate in ballast & with a crew of eight & in tow of a tug the Disperser sprang a leak off Staithes on 8 February 1934. Seven of the crew got aboard the tug but one man, Richard Eglon, who was lame & could not jump into the lifeboat, was still aboard the Disperser. The Runswick lifeboat Always Ready went to his assistance but 2nd coxswain, Robert Patton, on trying to get Eglon into the lifeboat, fell into the sea & was crushed between the two vessels. He died nine days later of spinal injuries. Eglon was rescued & Disperser foundered soon after.

The Runswick lifeboat changed its name to the Robert Patton in honour of their crew member who died. The V.C. was presented to Mrs Patton in recognition of her husband’s bravery.

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