HMS E15

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

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 T.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 in near Kepez Point directly under the guns of Fort Dardanus. "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 Evans, A. S. (1986). "Beneath the Waves - A history of British submarine losses". Kimber, London. ISBN 0-7183-0601-5 ] .Forced to evacuate the vessel, the remaining crew surrendered, to be incarcerated in a prisoner of war camp near Istanbul where six later died Stoker, H. D. G. (1925). "Straws in the Wind". Herbert Jenkins Ltd., London. ISBN X006590403. [Submarine actions in the Dardanelles; includes the story of Lt. G. Fitzgerald RNR, "E15" navigator, whilst a POW in Turkey] ] . The stranding was soon noticed by aeroplanes of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), and reported to the "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 "B6", with Brodie's brother on board, tried to sink her by torpedo but missed. Later, during the night, the destroyers HMS "Grampus" and "Scorpion" (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, British submarine "B11" also failed to locate the beached "E15" owing to dense fog. Then the battleships "Triumph" and "Majestic" 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 Evans, A. S. (1986). "Beneath the Waves - A history of British submarine losses". Kimber, London. ISBN 0-7183-0601-5 ] .Finally, on the night of the 18 April, two 17 metre picket boats Stapleton, N. B. J. (1980). "Steam Picket Boats and Other Small Steam Craft of the Royal Navy". Dalton, UK. ISBN 0900963638] , 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 commanded the expedition from "Triumph"'s boat; Lieutenant Goodwin skippered the boat from the "Majestic". Arriving undetected, Robinson's first shot missed, but minutes later a Turkish searchlight briefly illuminated "E15", allowing Goodwin's boat to aim and score a direct hit. Soon afterwards, Goodwin's boat was crippled by gunfire; one sailor was fatally wounded. Robinson unhesitatingly brought his boat alongside and rescued the crew.

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. The picket boat crews, all volunteers, were awarded Distinguished Service Medals.

"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