HMS G11

HMS "G11" was a British G class submarine of the Royal Navy in service during World War I. One of six of her class built by Vickers at Barrow in Furness, she was launched on 22 February 1916, and commissioned 13 May the same year.

On 22 November 1918 "G11", under the temporary command of Lieutenant Commander George Fagan Bradshaw, DSO [http://submariners.co.uk/Dits/Articles/wwi_submariners.php#GeorgeFaganBradshaw] , was returning to her base at Blyth, Northumberland, from Dogger Bank patrol following the Armistice when she ran aground in dense fog on rocks below cliffs near Howick. The impact tore her keel off and she was abandoned, two of her crew drowning during the evacuation. The body of Telegraphist George Philip Back was recovered and buried in the churchyard of St Peter & St Paul, Longhoughton; the body of Stoker Pliny Foster was never found [http://www.submariners.co.uk/Boats/DB/index.php] .

"G11"'s regular captain, Lt. Richard Douglas Sandford VC, had not sailed on her last mission, having succumbed to typhoid fever. He died at Eston hospital the day after learning his ship had been lost.

Remains of the "G11" can still be seen at low tide.

NB: The Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport, erroneously lists the location of "G11"'s wrecking as Harwich, Suffolk, over 560 km (350 miles) away.

References

*Colledge