E 17 (I 97)
Built By: | Vickers (Barrow) |
Build Group: | E2 |
Fate: | In the morning of Thursday 6th January 1916 E17 was on patrol north of the island of Texel. The Submarine struck an uncharted bank and was badly damaged. The Dutch Cruiser Noord Brabant closed to investigate the problem but Lieutenant Commander Moncrieffe dived the Submarine to escape, believing that the Cruiser was hostile. The damage forced Moncrieffe to surface. The crew was taken off and interned in Holland for the duration. Initially the crew was interned at Den Helder but they were later moved to Groningen where other Royal Navy internees were held. E17 sank later in the morning of 6th January. |
Commanders
1915: | Lieutenant Commander | John R G Moncreiffe |
1914 - 8th Flotilla. HMS Maidstone, Harwich.
Events
29-07-1913 | Laid Down |
16-01-1915 | Launched |
07-04-1915 | Completed |
06-01-1916 | Whilst patrolling north of Texel Island, HMS E17 struck an uncharted sandbank. Badly damaged the submarine was forced to surface. The Royal Netherlands Navy Cruiser Noord Brabant approached the stricken submarine to investigate. E17 believing the Cruiser was belligerent submerged, but owing to the damage was forced to surface again. E1 signalled the un-identified cruisers for assistance and her crew were taken off and interned. E17 finally sank at 1140 on Thursday 6th January 1916. |
Comments
Comment by: Stephen Pilbeam on November 1, 2017
Albert Edward Pilbeam was my grandfather and I have some great photo's of him and the submarine E17. E17 held a record at the time for staying under water for a long period of time during its submerge, I have a press cutting of the account.
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