History
In January 1916, while on patrol in the north sea, just north of the Dutch island of Texel, HMS E17 struck an uncharted sandband, resulting in heavy damage. The submarine surfaced, where she encountered the Royal Netherlands Navy cruiser Noord-Brabant. Believing that the cruiser was belligerent, E17 submerged again, but the damage proved too heavy for the sub to sustain a dive.
HNLMS Noord-Brabant.
E17 returned to the surface again, where she signaled Noord-Brabant for assistance. The crew was rescued, and were taken to land where they were interned for the remainder of the war. E17, however, could not be saved, and finally sunk at 11:40 A.M. on January 6, 1916.
interior of an E class submarine (source wikicommons).
Description
Propulsion: 2 x 800 hp Vickers diesel, 2 x 840 hp electric
Armament: 5 x 18 inch torpedo tubes, 1 x 12 pounder gun
Complement: 30
E 17 conning tower, on display at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport, UK.
E class submarine (HMS E 18).
References
- HMS E17 on Wikipedia.
Wikipedia. - Royal Navy Submarine museum.
- Hutchinson, Robert, Submarines, War Beneath The Waves, From 1776 To The Present Day..