HMS E15

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HMS E15 was an E-class submarine of the Royal Navy, commissioned in 1914.

Design

Like all post-E8 British E-class submarines, E15 had a displacement of Script error: No such module "convert". at the surface and Script error: No such module "convert". while submerged. She had a total length of Script error: No such module "convert".[1] and a beam of Script error: No such module "convert".. She was powered by two Script error: No such module "convert". Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines and two Script error: No such module "convert". electric motors.[2][3] The submarine had a maximum surface speed of Script error: No such module "convert". and a submerged speed of Script error: No such module "convert".. British E-class submarines had fuel capacities of Script error: No such module "convert". of diesel and ranges of Script error: No such module "convert". when travelling at Script error: No such module "convert"..[1] E15 was capable of operating submerged for five hours when travelling at Script error: No such module "convert"..

As with most of the early E-class boats, E15 was not fitted with a deck gun during construction but, as a vessel engaged in the Dardanelles campaign, later had a 12-pounder Script error: No such module "convert". QF gun fitted, forward of the conning tower, at Malta Dockyard. She had five 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes, two in the bow, one either side amidships, and one in the stern; a total of 10 torpedoes were carried.[2]

E-class submarines had wireless systems with 1 kW power ratings; in some submarines, these were later upgraded to 3 kW systems by removing a midship torpedo tube. Their maximum design depth was Script error: No such module "convert". although in service some reached depths of below Script error: No such module "convert".. Some submarines contained Fessenden oscillator systems.[1] Her complement was three officers and 28 men.[1]

Service history

During World War I, E15 served in the Mediterranean, participating in the Gallipoli Campaign against the Ottoman Empire. On 16 April 1915, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Theodore S. Brodie, E15 sailed from her base at Mudros and attempted to break through the Dardanelles to the Sea of Marmara. Early in the morning of 17 April, the submarine, having dived too deep and become caught in the vicious current, ran aground some ten miles (16 km) in near Kepez Point directly under the guns of Fort Dardanos. E15 was soon hit and disabled; Brodie was killed in the conning tower by shrapnel and six of the crew were killed by chlorine gas released when the submarine's batteries were exposed to seawater after a second shell strike.[4] Forced to evacuate the vessel, the remaining crew surrendered, to be incarcerated in a prisoner of war camp near Istanbul where six later died.[5]

The stranding was soon noticed by aeroplanes of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), and reported to the SS Hindu Kush, the Allied submarines' HQ and depot ship. It was considered imperative that the E15 be destroyed to prevent the Turks from salvaging her. Several attempts were made; first, the British submarine Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., with Brodie's brother on board, tried to sink her by torpedo but missed. Later, during the night, the destroyers Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". and Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". (commanded by the future Admiral A. B. Cunningham of World War II British Mediterranean Fleet fame), attempted to find her, but failed. The following morning, Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". also failed to locate the beached E15 owing to dense fog. Then the battleships Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". and Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". were ordered in but, prevented by intense fire from the Turkish shore batteries from getting within 11,000 metres of the submarine, were obliged to withdraw. Meanwhile, seaplanes attempted to bomb the stricken E15 but also failed.[4]

File:HMS Triumph picket boat.jpg
HMS TriumphTemplate:'s picket boat returning to the battleship after the E15 expedition.

Finally, on the night of 18 April, two Script error: No such module "convert". picket boats,[6] one from Triumph, the other from Majestic, both armed with two 14-inch (356 mm) diameter torpedoes mounted in dropping gear, went in. Lieutenant Commander Eric Robinson, a volunteer from Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., commanded the expedition from TriumphTemplate:'s boat; Lieutenant Claud Herbert Godwin skippered the boat from Majestic. Departing at 2200 hrs, the two vessels managed to navigate the narrow channel for Script error: No such module "convert". before being detected and illuminated by searchlights, attracting a hail of fire from both shores. Miraculously both boats remained unscathed, and when one carelessly directed searchlight briefly illuminated the stricken submarine, Godwin seized his chance. Blinded by the lights, his first shot missed, and seconds afterwards the Turkish gunners scored their only hit, blowing away part of the stern and mortally wounding one seaman. Undeterred, Godwin went in again and fired his second torpedo, which struck E15 just forward of the conning tower, but well below the waterline. Robinson, observing his comrades' plight, unhesitatingly brought his boat alongside and rescued them. Now doubly laden, TriumphTemplate:'s boat fled downstream unobserved, the Turkish gunners concentrating their fire on the drifting and abandoned wreck of her sister ship.[7]

The E15 action would no doubt have earned Robinson the Victoria Cross had he not already been recommended for the award following earlier exploits on the Gallipoli peninsula. Instead, he was promoted to commander by special decree. Lieutenant Godwin was awarded the DSO, Lt. Brooke-Webb and Midshipman Woolley received the DSC, while the rest of the crews, all volunteers, received the DSM.

E15 remains off Kepez Point in 8 m of water. The bodies of Lieut. Commander Brodie and several crew, initially buried on a beach nearby, were reinterred at the Chanak Consular Cemetery.

References

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  1. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b Akerman, P. (1989). Encyclopaedia of British submarines 1901–1955.  p.150. Maritime Books. Template:ISBN
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b Evans, A. S. (1986). Beneath the Waves - A history of British submarine losses. Kimber, London. Template:ISBN
  5. ↑ Stoker, H. D. G. (1925). Straws in the Wind. Herbert Jenkins Ltd., London. [Submarine actions in the Dardanelles; includes the story of Lt. G. Fitzgerald RNR, E15 navigator, whilst a POW in Turkey]
  6. ↑ Stapleton, N. B. J. (1980). Steam Picket Boats and Other Small Steam Craft of the Royal Navy. Dalton, UK. Template:ISBN
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Script error: No such module "Military navigation". Template:April 1915 shipwrecks [[Category:Template:Resolve category redirect]]Template:Coord missing/CheckCat

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