Sopwith Baby 8142 at Scarborough.
Proper information surrounding this incident is required. On 20th July 1916 the Sopwith baby float plane crashed while making a landing on the sea at Scarborough and was completely wrecked. The pilot was unhurt. The aeroplane appears to have been registered to HMS Killingholme, a ship acting as a floating base for float planes. HMS Killingholme was a converted paddle steamer which became a seaplane carrier and was based at RNAS Killingholme in the Humber area. HMS Killingholme lost eighteen crew in either a torpedo strike or running into a mine on 27th April 1916 and was badly damaged. I find it likely that repairs may have taken some time and may not have been complete by 20th July 1916. If so then the aeroplanes may have been dispersed and the old Scalby Mills float-plane site may have been where and the damage may have occurred there.
Pilot - Name unknown.
This Sopwith Baby was built by Sopwith Aviation at Kingston to contract no. C.P.48013/15 and was delivered to RNAS Killingholme for erection on 7th December 1915 where it was tested and accepted on 5th January 1916. It was loaned to HMS Engadine on 23rd April 1916 but returned to RNAS Killingholme on 25th April 1916 for use on HMS Killingholme. The aeroplane may have been operating at the old float plane base at Scalby Mills when it was involved in the accident on 20th July 1916. It was so badly damaged in the accident that it was deleted the same day.