HMS Pathfinder Centenary Dive Jane Maddocks BSAC NDC
HMS Pathfinder
Centenary Dive �Jane Maddocks �BSAC NDC Nautical Archaeology Adviser �Dave lock �BSAC NDC Diver Training Lead
Team �Mark Callaghan �Jason Hall �Sophie Heptonstall �Sarah Jepson �Dave lock �Jane Maddocks �Andy Proctor �Mike Rowley �Maggie Surrage �Dave Wakelam
HMS Pathfinder �Sentinel Class Scout Light Cruiser �Designed to be eyes and ears of fleet �One of four pairs built to general specification �Sister ship HMS Patrol �Built by Camel Laird, Birkenhead �Laid down August 1903 �Launched July 1904 �Commissioned July 1905 �Cost £ 297, 000
Specifications � 2900 Tons displacement � 379 ft x 38. 6 ft x 13 ft �Armour plate �Deck = 1. 5” – 5/8” �Hull belt = 2” �Conning tower = 3” � 2 x 4 cyl triple expansion engines �Normand-Laird boilers � 16, 500 i. h. p. � 14330 i. h. p. 25 knots 25. 22 Knots (Trials) �Coal capacity = 160 tons – 410 tons �Crew complement = 268
Armament � 9 x 4” guns � 6 x 6 pdr guns � 2 x 18” Torpedo tubes
Achilles Heel �Period of evolving technology �Need for speed �Destroyer Flotilla Leader �Triple expansion engines devour coal �Limited bunker capacity � 160 – 410 tons �Very limited range
Service Record �Atlantic Fleet �Channel Fleet 1906 �Home Fleet 1907 �Beginning of WW 1 �Leader of 8 th Destroyer Flotilla �Based Rosyth, Firth of Forth � Home port of Beatty’s “Cats” �Capt. Francis Martin-Peake
th 5 September 1914 �Routine patrol off Isle of May �Leading 8 th Destroyer Flotilla �Destroyers altered course towards Isle of May~ midday �Pathfinder continued on SSE course �At 5 knots due to lack of coal
Carl Hans Lody � 25 th August 1914 �Staying in area �Takes bus to Firth of Forth every morning � 30 th August 1914 �Letter to Germany � “ 4 ships in repair dock” � “Other ships heading to sea” �SM U-21 ordered to target area � 6 th November 1914 �Shot as spy in Tower of
SM U-21 �Type U-19 Class �Built Kaiserliche Werf, Danzig. �Laid down 1910 �Launched 8 th Feb. 1913 �Commissioned 22 nd Oct. 1913 �Kapitan. Leutnant Otto Hersing
SM U-21 � 64. 1 m x 6. 1 m x 3. 58 m � 2 x MAN 8 cyl. diesels � 1 st U Boats with diesels � 2 x AEG Double Motordynamos � 15. 4 knots surfaced � 9. 5 knots submerged � 4 x 50 cm Torpedo Tubes � 1 x 88 mm SK L/30 gun � 4 Officers + 25 Crew
th 4 September 1914 �SM U-21 penetrated Firth of Forth �As far as Forth Bridge �Fired on by Carlingnose shore battery �Retired back to sea
th 5 September 1914 �SM U-21 On surface charging batteries �Lookout spots smoke on horizon �Identifies slow moving warship �Submerged for attack �Warship turns away �Surface to recharge �Warship reverses course �Submerged for attack � 1543 hrs fired 1 torpedo from 2000 yards
HMS Pathfinder �Torpedo spotted ~ 1545 hrs �Lt-Cdr Favell - evasive action �Torpedo struck forward of bridge �Explosion triggers second massive explosion in forward magazine �Bow section blown off from bridge forward �Sinks in 4 minutes
Aftermath �Pathfinder becomes the 1 st ship to be sunk by submarine launched motorised torpedo �Explosion heard and seen ashore �Fishing boats, Destroyers and Lifeboat raced to scene � 18 survivors �(Including Capt. Martin-Leake) � 4 subsequently died
Aldous Huxley wrote: �From Northfield House, St. Abbs �“We actually saw the Pathfinder explosion – great white cloud with its foot in the sea. The St. Abbs’ lifeboat came in with the most appalling accounts of the scene. There was not a piece of wood big enough to float a man and over acres the sea was covered with fragments – human and otherwise. ”
News Management �Official Admiralty Position �“Submarines lack ability to sink surface warships with a torpedo” �First official statement �“Struck mine” �Scotsman Newspaper �Eye witness accounts by fishermen �Admiralty Intelligence �Claimed U-Boat cornered and sunk by cruisers
Reality � 22 Sept 1914 SM U-9 sank �HMS Aboukir �HMS Hogue �HMS Cressy
SM U-21 & Otto Hersing �May 1915 Sank �HMS Majestic �HMS Triumph �February 1916 Sank �Admiral Charner � 36 Allied ships �Sank 1919 in North Sea �On tow for interment
Diving HMS Pathfinder �www. marinequest. co. uk �~ 12 Miles N of Eyemouth �Upright & complete �From bridge to stern �Max. depth 68 m �Min. depth 57 m �Bow ~ 1 Mile North
Diving HMS Pathfinder �Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 �No entry �No interference �No removal of artefacts John Liddiard
Diving HMS Pathfinder �Appropriate diving platform �Individual self sufficienct within team � Thermal & Urination issues �Matched to preference & experience �Team diving � Common gases � 10/50 diluent � 20/30 Deep Bailout � 80% Shallow Bailout � Emergency gas � 20/30 @ 55 m � 80% @ 10 m � Drop tanks in boat � All return to shot line for ascent � Diver to boat signal protocol
Diving HMS Pathfinder �Emergency manager/s �Emergency gas deployment � Drop tanks � In-water safety divers �Casualty evacuation procedure �Recompression facilities � In-water recompression? �Therapeutic Oxygen trained people �First Aid �Understanding of potential diving ailments
Diving HMS Pathfinder 80% @ 10 m Piston clip & Prussic loop 58 m Strobe Tokens Missing divers procedure 20/30 @ 55 m 61 m 68 m
MOD Permission
Wreath & Flag
Relatives �Malcolm Stern �Nephew of William Stern �RN K/5331 � 1 st Class Stoker � 1 st Jewish casualty of WW 1
Relatives �John Magee �Grandson of Richard Magee �Master at Arms �RN 164813 ch
Relatives
Thank you Rowley Mike
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