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MaSS

stepping stones of maritime history

History

In December 1913, E5 was part of the 8th Submarine Flotilla, based at Portsmouth as part of the Home Fleets.

On 25 September 1915 E5 torpedoed the German Sperrbrecher (auxiliary minesweeper).

Final Fate
Sunk presumedly by naval mine , 7 March 1916

There were different theories about the reason for the loss of E5. One theory was that she struck a mine, possibly after straying into a German minefield upon being sighted by the German light cruiser Regensburg. Another theory attributed her loss to depth charge attack by torpedo boats escorting the battlecruiser Seydlitz.

In 2016 divers found the wreck of E5 off the island of Schiermonnikoog. Her hatches were open, which suggests that the crew had tried to escape. There was no sign of damage to her hull, indicating that she had not sunk as a result of enemy action.[citation needed]

Description

Type: British E-class submarine
Built: HM Dockyard, Chatham, Vickers, Barrow, 1911
Complement: 3 officers and 28 men

People on board31
Speed15 knots ~ 17 mph (28 km/h)
Length177.2 feet (54 m)
Width15.4 feet (4.7 m)

Status

In 2016 divers found the wreck of E5 off the island of Schiermonnikoog. Her hatches were open, which suggests that the crew had tried to escape. There was no sign of damage to her hull, indicating that she had not sunk as a result of enemy action. (wikiwand)

References

Down on 28 November

New in MaSS

Wrecks of Flevoland

Burgzand Noord

13 Provinces