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Home → Boats → Submarines → E Class → E13

E 13 (I 93)

Built By: Chatham Dockyard (Medway)
Build Group: E2
Fate: On 19th August 1915 Submarine E13 was attempting to make the passage through the Skaggerack and the Kattegat and into the Baltic Sea to join other British Submarines operating with the Russian Navy.

The Submarine experienced a gyro compass failure and ran aground on the Danish Island of Saltholm.

Despite the presence of Danish Warships in the area Submarine E13 was shelled into a wreck by German warships, which opened fire without warning.

Fifteen of the crew were killed in the attack and the remainder swam to safety but were then interned by the Danes.

She was eventually scrapped but parts of her machinery gave service for many years. Her motors were sold to the Aarhus Electric Works in 1929 and one was resold to a firm in Grenan where it remained in service until 1952.

Sold August 1915 to Denmark.
E13 aground at Saltholm in the Øresund in 1915 after being attacked by German torpedo boats
E13 aground at Saltholm in the Øresund in 1915 after being attacked by German torpedo boats
HMS E13 aground at Saltholm in the Øresund in 1915 after being attacked by German torpedo boats
HMS E13 aground at Saltholm in the Øresund in 1915 after being attacked by German torpedo boats

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Commanders
1914: Lieutenant   Geoffrey Layton

1914 - 8th Flotilla. HMS Maidstone, Harwich.

At the time of her loos the crew members were:

Officers

Ratings

Lieutenant Eddis was already ashore in Denmark at the time of the attack attempting to gain assistance for Submarine E13 at Copenhagen.

Roll of Honour
15
 
Goulden, Herbert  J26716
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Signalman Aged: 18
Greenwood, Thomas Charles  K 5440
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Stoker Aged: 25
Holt, Ernest Stuart Charles  J26522
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Ordinary Telegraphist Aged: 18
Joyner, Harold  214616
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Able Seaman Aged: 30
Long, Arthur  312113
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Stoker Aged: 27
Payne, Alfred John  J4317
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Able Seaman Aged: 23
Pedder, Henry Thomas  227585
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Leading Seaman Aged: 27
Pink, Benjamin  281214
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Chief Stoker Aged: 39
Smart, Robert Thomas  (RCN) 235782
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Able Seaman Aged: 27
Staples, Herbert  M 1464
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Engine Room Artificer Aged: 27
Thomas, William Hayes  307910
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Leading Stoker Aged: 30
Warren, William George  238362
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Petty Officer Aged: 24
Wilcox, Walter Thomas  K 7191
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Stoker Aged: 22
Wilson, Fred  K1405
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Stoker Aged: 29
Yearsley, Walter Albert  K 3223
Died: 19th Aug, 1915.
Stoker Aged: 24

Events

 16-12-1912   Laid Down
 22-09-1914   Launched
 09-12-1914   Completed
 19-08-1915   Just after 2300 on 17th August 1915 a faulty compass forced HMS E13 aground on a mud bank in Danish Territorial waters. All attempts to re-float the submarine failed and by the dawn of the 19th both German and Danish vessels were in the area.

Under International Law a belligerent warship is allowed sanctuary in neutral waters for up to 24 hours. At 0500 on the 19th E13 was informed by the Danish ship Narvalen that she had 24 hours within which to re-float. With previous attempts having failed E13 attempted to gain a tow from the Danish vessels in the area.

At 0928 two German destroyers were seen to be closing at high speed and flying the signal "Abandon Ship Immediately" The destroyers opened fire with torpedoes and machine guns. The crew of E13 who were resting on the casing were caught unawares and immediately abandoned the submarine and headed for the Danish ships and Internment.
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E 12 (I 92) E 14 (I 94)