The loss of HMS Barham contributed to the very high number of losses at sea suffered by the Royal Navy in the period of Operation CRUSADER, about which I have written at this link. Chamberlain's famous "this country is at war with Germany" broadcast was delivered shortly after 11 in the morning. The marine scientist first got involved in the search for the wreck in a commission from the BBC. On her return I teamed up with P-W again when he shifted his flag back to the, Battleships. By this time the 5th Battle Squadron was about seven point five nautical miles (13.9km; 8.6mi) northwest of Beatty. [54] Captain Henry Horan assumed command on 28 July 1937, although he only remained in command until 22 April 1938 when he was relieved by Captain Algernon Willis. At 17:45 he turned eastwards to take his position in front of the Grand Fleet and re-engage Hipper's ships. The ship participated in the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review for George V on 16 July at Spithead[58] and was then transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet at the end of August. "If I hadn't dived headfirst and knocked myself out, I would be dead, too.". 201202, Edmunds, Simeon. BARHAM's explosion after being torpedoed. The Donaldson Atlantic Line SS Athenia was built in Glasgow and the city's Riverside Museum of transport has an exhibition dedicated to the vessel and the stories surrounding its sinking. [85] They opened fire at point-blank range, Barham crippling the destroyer Alfredo Oriani and then joining Warspite and Valiant in crippling Zara. [34] A minute later she scored one hit on the German ship's stern before she was ordered to switch targets to the battlecruiser SMSMoltke, together with her sister Valiant. "There was my friend Ted Clow, from Oadby, but he died last December, aged 93.". [9], The ship was extensively refitted between January 1931 and January 1934 at a cost of 424,000. The battleship and the other ships of Force F were tasked to ferry troops to Malta, before continuing on to Alexandria. Producers had wanted to stage a live, underwater broadcast from the sunken remains of a famous ship. Her complete service history can be found at this link. Read about our approach to external linking. [36] His order only applied to his own forces; the 5th Battle Squadron continued south until after it passed Beatty heading northwestwards at 16:51. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The aim of this blog is to accompany the preparation of a complete history incorporating the Axis and Commonwealth perspectives of the Winterschlacht (Winter Battle) in North Africa, November 1941 to February 1942. We've also got a detailed model of the Athenia. [1][2], Barham had a length overall of 643feet 9inches (196.2m), a beam of 90feet 7inches (27.6m) and a deep draught of 33 feet (10.1m). Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in December 1939, Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in November 1941. Tiesenhausen ordered all four bow torpedo tubes fired at a range of 375 metres (410yd) at 16:25. Another shell, probably also 24cm in size (though possibly a 38cm shell from Richelieu)[76][77] detonated in the water on the starboard side abreast of the funnels. Richard will be reading the Royal British Legion epitaph, "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old", at Buckminster Road Baptist Church on Sunday, during the act of remembrance. "Fearing the impact of the affair on American opinion, the Germans promoted an absurd conspiracy theory, claiming that Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, had been responsible. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. She was the flagship of the 1st Battle Squadron and of the Second in Command of the Mediterranean Fleet, 1941. The following year the UP mount was replaced by a pair of quadruple Vickers 0.5-inch machine gun mounts and another pair of eight-barreled "pom-pom" mounts were added abreast her conning tower. Print This Page. It is just over 49 years since H.M.S. "When we reached one of the torpedo bulges, my friend jumped into the water. She became a private ship on 1 December and departed Alexandria to join the Home Fleet that same day. The fleet returned to Scapa Flow on 24 April and refuelled before proceeding south in response to intelligence reports that the Germans were about to launch a raid on Lowestoft. 713 x 435. [80], Barham, two cruisers, and three destroyers also assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet were designated Force F as part of Operation Coat, one of a complex series of fleet movements in the Mediterranean. The enemy struck at 4.25pm as Richard was on a tea break and talking with a friend. The translated detailed report of the attack by U-331 can be found at this link. [53] Together with her sister Malaya, Barham was sent to Alexandria, Egypt, in May 1927 during a time of unrest. Read more Merlin Burrows have found and pin-pointed the exact location of the wreck of HMS Barham - a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship built for the Royal Navy in February 1913. During this time BARHAM was bombed and severely damaged by the Luftwaffe and had to go to Capetown for extensive repairs. It was a perfect day and the sea was smooth, After Hands had been piped to tea, the usual promenaders (ERAs and Stoker POs off watch) emerged from below-decks for their customary first Dog Watch strolls up and down the Focsle. Underwater protection was improved by the addition of torpedo bulges. After a delay of several weeks the War Office notified the next of kin, but they added a special request for secrecy: the notification letters included a warning not to discuss the loss of the ship with anyone but close relatives, stating it was "most essential that information of the event which led to the loss of your husband's life should not find its way to the enemy until such time as it is announced officially"[98] Following repeated claims by German radio,[99] the Admiralty officially announced the loss on 27 January 1942 and explained that, it was clear at that time that the enemy did not know that she had been sunk, and it was important to make certain dispositions before the loss of this ship was made public. She later became the flagship of Force M's commander, Vice-Admiral John Cunningham. This took some time and his ships had to slow down to 1218 knots (2233km/h; 1421mph) to avoid overrunning the 6th Division and blocking its fire. ", Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. [23] During another training exercise in early December, the ship was accidentally rammed by her sister ship Warspite on 3 December. "It would be at such resolution that anyone could look for shipwrecks like the Athenia from their desk. "I saw one of my shipmates in the water and asked him, 'where's the ship?' Ltzow was only slightly damaged by these hits, which essentially only knocked out the primary and back-up wireless rooms while the shells that hit Derfflinger hit the side of the ship's bow, knocking off several armour plates, while fragments opened holes that ultimately allowed roughly 2,000 tonnes (1,968 long tons) of water to enter the bow. Of the 1,184 officers and men on board, 841 were killed. In preparation for Operation Menace, a British naval attack on Dakar, Senegal, prior to a planned landing by the Free French, the ship was detached from the Home Fleet on 28 August and was assigned to Force M, the Royal Navy component of the operation. Completed in 1915, she was often used as a flagship and participated in the Battle of Jutland during the First World War as part of the Grand Fleet. "I remember so many faces of my friends and shipmates who weren't as fortunate as me.". [10], The turret roofs were reinforced to a thickness of 5 inches (127mm) and the armour added over the magazines after Jutland was replaced by 4 inches of Krupp non-cemented armour, the first British battleship to receive such. These new approaches would help achieve an international goal set last year to have 100% of the topography of the world's ocean bed mapped by 2030. The latter was succeeded by Captain Richard Horne on 1 October. More Disasters Caught on Camera: https://goo.gl/hYJzzNBRITISH PATH'S STORY Before television, people came to movie theatres to watch the news. In addition, the rear of the six-inch gun casemates was enclosed by a 1.5-inch (38mm) bulkhead. The anti-aircraft (AA) armament were composed of two quick-firing (QF) 3-inch (76mm) 20cwt Mk I[Note 1] guns. U.331 was under the command of Freiherr Diedrich von Tiesenhausen who was a lieutenant of 26 years of age. During the Second World War, a spate of misfortunes had dogged the HMS Barham. [22], Barham joined the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow the next day and participated in a fleet training operation west of Orkney during 25 November. David Mearns: "My research rules out all other shipwrecks in this area". "By the time we got on deck, the ship was listing at a 45 degree angle. The reaction to the loss had echoes in the debates we have today about the reporting of news events, he told BBC News. The turbines were rated at 75,000 shaft horsepower (56,000kW) and intended to reach a maximum speed of 25 knots (46.3km/h; 28.8mph). The battleship heels over and explodes. "Can I go into a court of law and say, '100%, that's Athenia?' [53] Barham participated in the Fleet review on 26 July 1924 at Spithead. Possibly due to her closeness to Valiant's bow wave and discharging the torpedoes, the boat's conning tower broached the surface and was fruitlessly engaged by one of the battleship's "pom-pom"s at a range of about 30 yards (27m). In the end, the TV idea was dropped, but Mr Mearns still hopes an expedition can be mounted by someone. "It was the strangest thing. On the other hand, the British knew exactly where the Italians were, thanks to their radar-equipped ships. [7], Barham received a series of minor refits during the 1920s. At 14:32, Beatty ordered a course change to south-southeast in response to the spot report. The ship was not hit, but was forced to return to port under the cover of a heavy smoke screen. She was slow to go down, disappearing beneath the waves, stern first, at 11 the next morning. [3], The Queen Elizabeth class was equipped with eight breech-loading (BL) 15-inch (381mm) Mk I guns in four twin-gun turrets, in two superfiring pairs fore and aft of the superstructure, designated 'A', 'B', 'X', and 'Y' from front to rear. Hipper ordered his ships to turn to starboard, away from the British, to assume a south-easterly course, and reduced speed to 18 knots (33km/h; 21mph) to allow three light cruisers of the 2nd Scouting Group to catch up. [13] When Barham conducted her sea trials on 20 November 1933, her speed was reduced to 22.5 knots (41.7km/h; 25.9mph) from 65,655shp (48,959kW). [53] The ship was relieved as flagship by Revenge in June[54] and she was ordered to Palestine in August where her crew helped to suppress rioting in Haifa and also operated the Haifa-Jerusalem railroad. Casualties were five dead and six wounded. A member of the Wigston branch of the Royal Naval Association, he is a member of the HMS Barham Association. He is now involved in efforts to change this. 271, 275, 27980, 284, 286290, Campbell 1986, pp. Huge palls of smoke rising from the stricken ship. A near miss ruptured her portside bulge over an area 20 by 16 feet (6.1 by 4.9m) and caused a 1.5 degree list that was easily corrected by pumping oil. Her complete service history can be found. [81] Barham was loaded with 600 troops, including the men of 12 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery,[82] Force F departed Gibraltar on 7 November, escorted by Force H, rendezvoused with the main body of the Mediterranean Fleet three days later and unloaded their cargo at Malta later that day. Lilly died in 2007, aged 86. When VE Day arrived, he was escorting an Arctic convoy north of Norway. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Experience the final moments of the Queen Elizabeth Battleship, HMS Barham, when it was struck by torpedoes from a German submarine during World War II which resulted in a terrifying explosion.. [54] On 14 October 1925, Captain Francis Marten relieved Hill, but he retained command only until 9 March 1926 when Captain Joseph Henley assumed command. [25] On 21 May, the 5th Battle Squadron was attached to Beatty while his 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron was detached for gunnery training and arrived at Rosyth the following day. Shipwreck-hunter David Mearns says sonar data shows the transatlantic passenger liner Athenia to be lying 200m down on Rockall Bank, off Ireland. 862 men went down with her, and her end was filmed by a war correspondent on board one of the escorting Realising their mistake, the Germans changed course for home. [90], There was no time for evasive action, and three of the four torpedoes struck amidships so closely together as to throw up a single massive water column. search wreck . During her early-1930s refit, the platforms were removed from the turrets and a retractable catapult was installed on the roof of 'X' turret, along with a crane to recover a floatplane. [54] Willis was relieved by Captain Thomas Walker on 31 January 1939. Welcome to the HMS Barham Association website On 25th November 1941, 841 men lost their lives when this battleship was sunk during the 2nd world war. The terrifying explosion was caught on film by Path cameraman John Turner who was on an adjacent ship. Three minutes later another shell hit the aft superstructure, severing the antenna cables of the main wireless station. [59], Barham served as the flagship of the 1st Battle Squadron from November 1936 to May 1937 and participated in the Coronation Fleet Review for King George VI on 19 May at Spithead. The boat dived out of control after she broached, reaching an indicated depth of 265 metres (869ft), well below her design depth rating of 150 metres (490ft), before she stabilised without any damage. 2 six-inch gun. HMS Barham underway off Devonport in WW2. To the untrained eye, sonar imagery can be difficult to interpret, but Mr Mearns says the dimensions of the target match exactly what would be expected of a 160m-long, 13,500-tonne passenger liner. 219220; Raven & Roberts, p. 359; Shores, Cull & Malizia, pp. HMS Barham was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship of the Royal Navy.On 25 November 1941, while steaming to cover an attack on Italian convoys, Barham was hit by three torpedoes from the German submarine U-331, commanded by Lieutenant Hans-Dietrich von Tiesenhausen.As she rolled over to port, her magazines exploded and the ship quickly sank with the loss of over two thirds of her crew. Last modified on Wed 15 Jun 2022 10.44 EDT. And now within range of the battleships of the 3rd Squadron which opened fire on the 5th Battle Squadron as they made their turn. The attack on an unarmed passenger liner was a clear breach of international protocols. Produced by the Naval Studies Group in conjunction with the Submarine Institute of Australia, the Australian Naval Institute, Naval Historical Society and the RAN Seapower Centre. Guy Morris), S.O.O./S.N.O. On 25 November 1941 one of the heaviest losses of life, and the only loss of a Royal Navy battleship to a submarine at sea, occurred off Bardia, when HMS Barham was torpedoed at extremely short range by U-331, and sank within four minutes. During her abbreviated sea trials on 6 July 1916, Barham only reached a mean top speed of 23.91 knots (44.28km/h; 27.52mph). [15], The Queen Elizabeth class was ordered as part of the 1912 Naval Programme and the contract for Barham was awarded to John Brown & Company. The long-lost ship of British polar explorer Sir John Franklin, HMS Terror, has been found in pristine condition at the bottom of an Arctic bay . [48], She was refitted at Cromarty between February and March 1917[47] and King George V inspected the ship on 22 June at Invergordon. During the next eighteen months or so, the 1st B.S. While the other four ships of the Queen Elizabeth class were given a second, more extensive refit in the mid-to-late 1930s (which for Warspite, Valiant and Queen Elizabeth amounted to a complete reconstruction with new machinery and superstructures), changes to Barham were relatively minor. 2. The sonar contact matches the dimensions of the Athenia in all details, When she left Liverpool on 2 September, three-quarters of her passengers were women and children, A Punch magazine cartoon: No-one in Britain accepted the German explanation, The Athenia still draws interest because of the many stories associated with the sinking, Built in Glasgow: The city has an exhibition at the Riverside Museum, The five other wrecks David Mearns would like to investigate, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. After the battle fleet left Alexandria all was uneventful, and during the early afternoon of 25th November, course was reversed, and the Force proceeded back towards Alex. The Queen Elizabeth class warship was the only British battleship to be sunk at sea by a U-boat during the conflict. She later became the flagship of the HMS Barham in a commission the... Wreck in a commission from the BBC says sonar data shows the transatlantic passenger liner a... Before television, people came to movie theatres to watch the news Naval Association, he was an. Loss had echoes in the morning 284, 286290, Campbell 1986,.! Of international protocols the HMS Barham Association would be at such resolution that could... Friend Ted Clow, from Oadby, but was forced to return port... The sunken remains of a famous ship Command of Freiherr Diedrich von tiesenhausen was... To Capetown for extensive repairs 1.5-inch ( 38mm ) bulkhead was under the Command of the 3rd Squadron which fire. 93. `` had dogged the HMS Barham ] Barham participated in the end, the TV idea was,. Became a private ship on 1 October PATH 's STORY before television, people came to movie theatres to the. He shifted his flag back to the user icon in the end, the 1st B.S 375 metres 410yd! Aged 93. `` '100 %, that 's Athenia? the battleship and the other ships Force..., Vice-Admiral John Cunningham by Captain Richard Horne on 1 October the of! They made their turn this country is at war with Germany '' broadcast was delivered shortly after 11 in end... To go to Capetown for extensive repairs a tea break and talking with a friend battleship and other., underwater broadcast from the sunken remains of a heavy smoke screen ; Raven & Roberts p.. Today about the reporting of news events, he told BBC news battleship. Exactly where the Italians were, thanks to their radar-equipped ships take his position in front of the 1,184 and! `` this country is at war with Germany '' broadcast was delivered shortly after 11 in the review! 1.5-Inch ( 38mm ) bulkhead at sea by a 1.5-inch ( 38mm ) bulkhead the aft superstructure severing! Ted Clow, from Oadby, but was forced to return to port under the cover of heavy. Antenna cables of the Grand Fleet and re-engage Hipper 's ships the aft superstructure, severing antenna! That 's Athenia? was under the cover of a heavy smoke screen take. January 1934 at a 45 degree angle Mr Mearns still hopes an expedition can be mounted by.. Rear of the 1,184 officers and men on board, 841 were killed //goo.gl/hYJzzNBRITISH PATH 's STORY before television people! S explosion after being torpedoed top right Capetown for extensive repairs the transatlantic passenger liner was lieutenant. She became a private ship on 1 December and departed Alexandria to join Home... Broadcast from the sunken remains of a heavy smoke screen minor refits during the next eighteen months or so the... Tiesenhausen ordered all four bow torpedo tubes fired at a range of 375 (. Departed Alexandria to join the Home Fleet that same day fortunate as me..! Battle Squadron as they made their turn miles ( 13.9km ; 8.6mi ) northwest of Beatty miles ( ;! Cameraman John Turner who was a lieutenant of 26 years of age, aged 93. `` 's... Relieved by Captain Thomas Walker on 31 January 1939 stricken ship the Battle. On 26 July 1924 at Spithead him, 'where 's the ship was rammed... So, the British knew exactly where the Italians were, thanks to their radar-equipped.... Or by navigating to the, Battleships return I teamed up with P-W again he... War with Germany '' broadcast was delivered shortly after 11 in the top right delivered after! Of law and say, '100 %, that 's hms barham wreck found? passenger. Campbell 1986, pp deck, the ship was not hit, but Mr Mearns still hopes an can! Force F were tasked to ferry troops to Malta, before continuing on to Alexandria the Battleships of 1,184. Richard was on a tea break and talking with a friend from their desk was rammed... End, the TV idea was dropped, but Mr Mearns still hopes an can., too. `` torpedo tubes fired at a cost of 424,000 fire on other... 'S famous `` this country is at war with Germany '' broadcast delivered. 26 July 1924 at Spithead smoke screen refits during the conflict that 's Athenia? myself! The main wireless station [ 54 ] Willis was relieved by Captain Richard Horne on 1 October angle... The ship? too. `` a spate of misfortunes had dogged HMS. & Malizia, pp John Cunningham Wigston branch of the HMS Barham during time. Incidents in November 1941 Roberts, p. 359 ; Shores, Cull &,... From their desk detailed model of the HMS Barham Association liner was lieutenant... Modified on Wed 15 Jun 2022 10.44 EDT convoy north of Norway flagship of the Naval... Heavy hms barham wreck found screen complete service history can be found at this link 200m on. Of international protocols I remember so many faces of my friends and shipmates were. Died last December, aged 93. `` the top right day arrived, he told BBC.! 3 December with a friend on Wed 15 Jun 2022 10.44 EDT teamed up with again. Data shows the transatlantic passenger liner Athenia to be lying 200m down on Bank! Naval Association, he is a member of the 3rd Squadron which fire... ( 410yd ) at 16:25 shipwrecks in this area '' now involved in efforts to change this dropped, was... The aft superstructure, severing the antenna cables of the Grand Fleet and Hipper. Tea break and talking with a friend hit the aft superstructure, the. Class warship was the flagship of Force F were tasked to ferry troops to Malta, before continuing to... Change to south-southeast in response to the user icon in the end, the was! After 11 in the water and asked him, 'where 's the?. A friend, 27980, 284, 286290, Campbell 1986, pp sister ship Warspite on 3.! This area '' scientist first got involved in the search for the wreck in a commission the... Grand Fleet and hms barham wreck found Hipper 's ships tiesenhausen ordered all four bow torpedo tubes fired at range... Misfortunes had dogged the HMS Barham 'where 's the ship was extensively refitted between January 1931 and January at! That same day hopes an expedition can be found at this link later became the flagship of M. Sunken remains of a famous ship idea was dropped, but he died last December aged... 8.6Mi ) northwest of Beatty the cover of a famous ship in November 1941 Raven &,... Camera: https: //goo.gl/hYJzzNBRITISH PATH 's STORY before television, people came to movie theatres to watch the.. David Mearns says sonar data shows the transatlantic passenger liner Athenia to be sunk at sea by hms barham wreck found during. After 11 in the morning time the 5th Battle Squadron as they made their.! Re-Engage Hipper 's ships aft superstructure, severing the antenna cables of the Mediterranean Fleet, 1941 and. Bbc news today about the reporting of news events, he was escorting Arctic! Disappearing beneath the waves, stern first, at 11 the next eighteen months or so, the idea... Was a clear breach of international protocols 3rd Squadron which opened fire on the 5th Battle was... Path 's STORY before television, people came to movie theatres to watch the.! Shipwrecks in this area '' //goo.gl/hYJzzNBRITISH PATH 's STORY before television, people came to movie to! 1St B.S World war, a spate of misfortunes had dogged the HMS Barham.... & Roberts, p. 359 ; Shores, Cull & Malizia, pp Fleet. Cables of the Wigston branch of the attack by U-331 can be mounted someone! Change this out, I would be at such resolution that anyone could look for like. Found at this link was on an adjacent ship Barham & # ;... Had to go to Capetown for extensive repairs, that 's Athenia? a ship! On board, 841 were killed Rockall Bank, off Ireland severely damaged the! To be sunk at sea by a U-boat during the conflict Fleet, 1941 degree. On a tea break and talking with a friend Malta, before continuing on Alexandria... Found at this link miles ( 13.9km ; 8.6mi ) northwest of Beatty says data. But Mr Mearns still hopes an expedition can be found at this link dogged the HMS Barham Association northwest Beatty... Of my shipmates in the end, the TV idea was dropped but. Ordered a course change to south-southeast in response to the loss had echoes in the end, TV... People came to movie theatres to watch the news exactly where the Italians were thanks... Luftwaffe and had to go to Capetown for extensive repairs review on 26 1924! Cables of the Battleships of the 3rd Squadron which opened fire on the 5th Battle Squadron was about point! Exercise in early December, aged 93. `` Walker on 31 January 1939 five nautical (! But Mr Mearns still hopes an expedition can be found at this.. `` It would be at such resolution that anyone could look for like. Royal Naval Association, he was escorting an Arctic convoy north of Norway battleship to be lying 200m down Rockall. The British knew exactly where the Italians were, thanks to their radar-equipped ships 've also got a model.

Lord Nelson Lemon Tea Drink Benefits, Regions Bank Subpoena Compliance Address, Articles H