Shipwreck confirmed to be U.K. cruiser sunk by torpedo during World War I, killing over 500 sailors
A shipwreck discovered off the coast of Scotland was confirmed to be a British cruiser sunk by a torpedo during World War I, killing more than 500 crew members on board, U.K. military officials have revealed.
The wreck of the HMS Hawke was found in “remarkable” condition this summer by a volunteer team of divers about 70 miles east of Fraserburgh. Royal Navy experts said Friday that an analysis of video, photos and scans confirmed the ship’s identity.
On October 15, 1914, a German sub captained by U-boat ace Otto Weddigen attacked the HMS Hawke, killing 524 crew members, officials said. The ship exploded and sank in fewer than eight minutes with just 70 sailors surviving.
colliding with RMS Olympic – the sister ship of the Titanic.
/ Getty Images
After World War I broke out, the warship was assigned to enforce the naval blockade of Germany by patrolling between Scotland and Norway. The cruiser was doomed when on October 15, 1914, she was spotted by U-9 about 80 miles east of Fraserburgh, Scotland.
Lieutenant Commander Jen Smith told the BBC that the Navy appreciated efforts to locate and identify wrecks around the U.K.
“Without these volunteers dedicating their time to these projects, the resting place of many of our sailors would never be found and their sacrifices forgotten, so we are most grateful,” she said.
Stephen Smith
Source: cbsnews.com