William Henry Prentice was born in Hartlepool around 1864.
The 1901 Census records him as a Master Mariner, living at No.94, Sandringham Road, West Hartlepool, with his wife Mary and eight children: William Henry (aged 19), Engine Mender; Robert (17), Apprentice Engineer; Thomas (14), Telegraph Messenger; Frederick (13); Albert (10); Evelyn (6); Clifford (4); and 1-year old Gordon.
William was Master of the steamship Beeswing when she sailed from the Tyne on March 2nd, 1915. Bound for Dieppe with a cargo of coal, she was not heard from again, and it was presumed the ship had been mined or torpedoed with the loss of all 21 crew. His eldest son, also named William Henry and who was serving as 1st Mate on the same ship, was also lost.
