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{{short description|Submarine of the Royal Navy}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
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{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
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{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=File:British E-class submarine HMS E3 Sunk on 18 October 1914.png
|Ship image=File:British E-class submarine HMS E3 Sunk on 18 October 1914.png
|Ship caption=British E-class submarine HMS E3
|Ship caption=British E-class submarine HMS ''E3''
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
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|Ship country=[[United Kingdom]]
|Ship country=[[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
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|Ship name= ''E3''
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|Ship class=[[British E class submarine|E-class]] [[submarine]]
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|Ship name=HMS ''E3''
|Ship ordered=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Vickers]], [[Barrow-in-Furness]]
|Ship builder=[[Vickers]], [[Barrow-in-Furness]]
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|Ship out of service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship fate=Sunk by {{SMU|U-27|Germany|6}}, 18 October 1914
|Ship fate=Sunk on 18 October 1914
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
|Ship badge=
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|Header caption=
|Header caption=
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|Ship class=[[British E-class submarine|E-class]] [[submarine]]
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|665|LT|t|abbr=on}} (surfaced)
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|665|LT|t|abbr=on}} (surfaced)
*{{convert|796|LT|t|abbr=on}} (submerged)
*{{convert|796|LT|t|abbr=on}} (submerged)
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|Ship complement=3 officers, 28 ratings
|Ship complement=3 officers, 28 ratings
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship armament=4 × [[British 18 inch torpedo|18 inch (450 mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s (1 bow, 2 beam, 1 stern; 10 [[torpedo]]es)
|Ship armament=4 × [[British 18-inch torpedo|18-inch (450 mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s (1 bow, 2 beam, 1 stern; 10 [[torpedo]]es)
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''HMS ''E3''''' was the third [[British E class submarine|E-class]] [[submarine]]s to be constructed, built at [[Barrow-in-Furness|Barrow]] by [[Vickers]] in 1911-1912. Built with compartmentalisation and endurance not previously achievable, these were the best submarines in the [[Royal Navy]] at the start of the [[World War I|First World War]]. She was sunk in the first ever successful attack on one submarine by another, when she was torpedoed on 18 October 1914 by {{SMU|U-27|Germany|2}}.
'''HMS ''E3''''' was the third [[British E-class submarine|E-class]] [[submarine]] to be constructed, built at [[Barrow-in-Furness|Barrow]] by [[Vickers]] in 1911–1912. Built with compartmentalisation and endurance not previously achievable, these were the best submarines in the [[Royal Navy]] at the start of the [[World War I|First World War]]. She was sunk in the first ever successful attack on one submarine by another, when she was torpedoed on 18 October 1914 by {{SMU|U-27|Germany|2}} north of [[Schiermonnikoog]], the Netherlands.


==Design==
==Design==
The early [[British E-class submarine]]s, from ''E1'' to ''E8'', had a displacement of {{convert|652|t|ST}} at the surface and {{convert|795|t|ST}} while submerged. They had a length overall of {{convert|180|ft|m}} and a beam of {{convert|22|ft|8.5|in}}, and were powered by two {{convert|800|hp}} Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines and two {{convert|420|hp}} electric motors.<ref name=Akerman>Akerman, P. (1989). ''Encyclopaedia of British submarines 1901&ndash;1955''. &nbsp;p.150. Maritime Books. {{ISBN|1-904381-05-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csubmarine.org/html/class/eclass.html|title=E Class|publisher=Chatham Submarines|accessdate=20 August 2015}}</ref> The class had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|16|kn|km/h mph}} and a submerged speed of {{convert|10|kn|km/h mph}}, with a fuel capacity of {{convert|50|t|ST}} of diesel affording a range of {{convert|3225|mi|km nmi}} when travelling at {{convert|10|kn|km/h mph}}, while submerged they had a range of {{convert|85|mi|km nmi}} at {{convert|5|kn|km/h mph}}.<ref name=Akerman/>
The early [[British E-class submarine]]s, from ''E1'' to ''E8'', had a displacement of {{convert|652|LT|t|lk=on}} at the surface and {{convert|795|LT|t}} while submerged. They had a [[length overall]] of {{convert|180|ft|m}} and a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|22|ft|8.5|in}}, and were powered by two {{convert|800|hp|adj=on}} Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines and two {{convert|420|hp}} electric motors.<ref name=Akerman>Akerman, P. (1989). ''Encyclopaedia of British submarines 1901&ndash;1955''. &nbsp;p.150. Maritime Books. {{ISBN|1-904381-05-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csubmarine.org/html/class/eclass.html|title=E Class|publisher=Chatham Submarines|access-date=20 August 2015|archive-date=13 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813023119/http://csubmarine.org/html/class/eclass.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The class had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|16|kn|lk=in}} and a submerged speed of {{convert|10|kn}}, with a fuel capacity of {{convert|50|LT|t}} of diesel affording a range of {{convert|3225|mi|km nmi}} when travelling at 10 knots, while submerged they had a range of {{convert|85|mi|km nmi}} at {{convert|5|kn}}.<ref name=Akerman/> Her [[Ship's company|complement]] was three officers and 28 [[Naval rating|ratings]].<ref name="McCartneyBryan2013"/>


The early 'Group 1' ''E'' class boats were armed with four [[British 18 inch torpedo|18 inch (450 mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s, one in the bow, one either side amidships, and one in the stern; a total of eight torpedoes were carried. Group 1 boats were not fitted with a deck gun during construction, but those involved in the Dardanelles campaign had guns mounted forward of the conning tower while at Malta Dockyard.<ref name=Akerman/>
The early 'Group 1' E-class boats were armed with four [[British 18-inch torpedo|18-inch (450 mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s, one in the [[Bow (ship)|bow]], one either side amidships, and one in the [[stern]]; a total of eight torpedoes were carried. Group 1 boats were not fitted with a deck gun during construction, but those involved in the [[Dardanelles campaign]] had guns mounted forward of the [[Sail (submarine)|sail]] while at Malta Dockyard.<ref name=Akerman/>


E-Class submarines had wireless systems with {{convert|1|kW}} power ratings; in some submarines, these were later upgraded to {{convert|3|kW}} systems by removing a midship torpedo tube. Their maximum design depth was {{convert|100|ft}} although in service some reached depths of below {{convert|200|ft}}. Some submarines contained [[Fessenden oscillator]] systems.<ref name="McCartneyBryan2013">{{cite book|author1=Innes McCartney|author2=Tony Bryan|title=British Submarines of World War I|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JWFapIxWZSUC&pg=PA11|date=20 February 2013|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-4728-0035-0|pages=11–12}}</ref>
E-class submarines had wireless systems with {{convert|1|kW}} power ratings; in some submarines, these were later upgraded to {{convert|3|kW}} systems by removing a midship torpedo tube. Their maximum design depth was {{convert|100|ft}} although in service some reached depths of below {{convert|200|ft}}. Some submarines contained [[Fessenden oscillator]] systems.<ref name="McCartneyBryan2013">{{cite book|author1=Innes McCartney|author2=Tony Bryan|title=British Submarines of World War I|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JWFapIxWZSUC&pg=PA11|date=20 February 2013|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-4728-0035-0|pages=11–12}}</ref>


==Crew==
==Service history==
When [[World War I|war]] was declared with [[German Empire|Germany]] on 5 August 1914, ''E3'' was based at [[Harwich]], in the [[8th Submarine Flotilla]] of the [[Home Fleet]]s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Position and Movements, H.M. Ships, War Vessels and Aircraft, British and Foreign, Parts I. and II., August 1914. |date=1914 |publisher=Admiralty Records |location=London}}</ref>
Her [[Ship's company|complement]] was three officers and 28 men.<ref name="McCartneyBryan2013"/>


==Loss==
===Loss===
''E3'' had sailed from [[Harwich Dockyard|Harwich]] on 16 October to patrol off [[Borkum]] in the [[North Sea]]. On 18 October, she spotted some [[Imperial Germany|German]] [[destroyer]]s ahead but was unable to get into a position to take a shot at them. Unable to pass them, [[Commander]] Cholmley retreated into the bay to wait for them to disperse. As he did so, he failed to see that the bay was also occupied by {{SMU|U-27|Germany|2}}, under ''Kapitänleutnant'' Bernd Wegener.
''E3'' sailed from [[Harwich Dockyard|Harwich]] on 16 October to patrol off [[Borkum]] in the [[North Sea]]. On 18 October, she spotted some German [[destroyer]]s ahead but was unable to get into a position to take a shot at them. Unable to pass them, [[Commander (Royal Navy)|Commander]] Cholmley retreated into the bay to wait for them to disperse. As he did so, he failed to see that the bay was also occupied by {{SMU|U-27|Germany|2}}, under ''Kapitänleutnant'' Bernd Wegener.


Wegener was surfaced and patrolling between the [[Ems (river)|Ems]] and Borkum when at 11:25, an object resembling a [[buoy]] was spotted where no buoy should be. Suspecting a British submarine, ''U-27'' immediately dived and closed the object.<ref name="mon24 p122-3">Naval Staff Monograph No. 24 1924, pp. 122–123.</ref> Although 'conned down', the number 83 was clearly visible on the [[conning tower]] of the British boat, now identified as such beyond reasonable doubt.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}} Wegener tracked the submarine for two hours until able to approach 'up sun'. He noted that the look-outs were staring intently in the other direction, towards the Ems. When the distance had closed to {{convert|300|yd|m|abbr=on}}, a single torpedo was fired by ''U-27''. Detonation followed shortly after, and ''E3'' sank immediately. Survivors were visible in the water but fearing a second British submarine might have been lurking nearby, ''U-27'' dived and withdrew. 30 minutes later, the U-boat returned to the scene to search for evidence and possible survivors but without success. All 31 members of ''E3''{{'}}s crew were lost.<ref name="mon24 p122-3"/><ref name="Kemp p10">Kemp 1999, p. 10.</ref>
Wegener was surfaced and patrolling between the [[Ems (river)|Ems]] and Borkum when at 11:25, an object resembling a [[buoy]] was spotted where no buoy should be. Suspecting a British submarine, ''U-27'' immediately dived and closed the object.<ref name="mon24 p122-3">Naval Staff Monograph No. 24 1924, pp. 122–123.</ref> Although 'conned down', the number 83 was clearly visible on the [[conning tower]] of the British boat, now identified as such beyond reasonable doubt.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}} Wegener tracked the submarine for two hours until able to approach 'up sun'. He noted that the look-outs were staring intently in the other direction, towards the Ems. When the distance had closed to {{convert|300|yd|m|abbr=on}}, a single torpedo was fired by ''U-27''. Detonation followed shortly after, and ''E3'' sank immediately. Survivors were visible in the water but fearing a second British submarine might have been lurking nearby, ''U-27'' dived and withdrew. 30 minutes later, the U-boat returned to the scene to search for evidence and possible survivors but without success. All 31 members of ''E3''{{'}}s crew were lost.<ref name="mon24 p122-3"/><ref name="Kemp p10">Kemp 1999, p. 10.</ref>


==The wreck==
⚫
In 1990, the [[stern]] section was snagged by a [[fishing boat]], which in turn alerted divers from Zeester. The wreck of ''E3'' was discovered on 14 October 1994. The stern of ''E3'' had been blown off in the explosion and was found to be completely detached. The stern section— including the stern torpedo chamber — was later raised. The stern hatch was open, but the nature of the explosion indicates that men in the engine room and motor compartments would have died instantly. The motor and engine rooms are fully exposed and have consequently been looted of all removable fittings, including the [[ship's bell|bell]].


⚫
In October 1990, the stern section was snagged by a [[fishing boat]] north of [[Schiermonnikoog]], the Netherlands, which in turn alerted divers from Zeester. The wreck of ''E3'' was discovered on 14 October 1994. The stern of ''E3'' had been blown off in the explosion and was found to be completely detached. The stern section— including the stern torpedo chamber — was later raised. The stern hatch was open, but the nature of the explosion indicates that men in the engine room and motor compartments would have died instantly. The motor and engine rooms are fully exposed and have consequently been looted of all removable fittings, including the [[ship's bell|bell]].<ref>[https://wrakkenmuseum.nl/wrakken/e-3 Scheepswrak: E-3]</ref>
⚫
The conning tower has been removed by fishing nets and the broken periscope standards are still evident. The conning tower ladder is said to have been donated to the [[Royal Navy Submarine Museum|Submarine Museum]] but is not officially listed within their collections. ''E3''{{'}}s torpedo loading hatch is open and the bow section is largely intact.


⚫
The sail has been removed by fishing nets and the broken [[periscope]] standards are still evident. The sail ladder is said to have been donated to the [[Royal Navy Submarine Museum|Submarine Museum]] but is not officially listed within their collections. ''E3''{{'}}s torpedo loading hatch is open and the bow section is largely intact.
⚫
==References==
{{Reflist}}


==Citations==
{{reflist}}

⚫
==References==
*{{cite book|last=Kemp|first=Paul |title=The Admiralty Regrets: British Warship Losses of the 20th Century |year=1999 |publisher= Sutton Publishing |location=Stroud, UK |isbn=0-7509-1567-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Kemp|first=Paul |title=The Admiralty Regrets: British Warship Losses of the 20th Century |year=1999 |publisher= Sutton Publishing |location=Stroud, UK |isbn=0-7509-1567-6}}
*{{cite book|title=Monograph No. 24: Home Waters—Part II.: September and October 1914|series=Naval Staff Monographs (Historical)|volume=XI|year=1924|publisher=The Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Naval-Staff-Monographs-Vol.XI_opt.pdf|ref={{Harvid|Naval Staff Monograph No. 24|1924}} }}
*{{cite book|title=Monograph No. 24: Home Waters—Part II.: September and October 1914|series=Naval Staff Monographs (Historical)|volume=XI|year=1924|publisher=The Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Naval-Staff-Monographs-Vol.XI_opt.pdf|ref={{Harvid|Naval Staff Monograph No. 24|1924}} }}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.hollandadventureproductions.nl/E.E3.html A movie about the discovery of the E3 with English subtitles]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190104/http://www.hollandadventureproductions.nl/E.E3.html A movie about the discovery of the E3 with English subtitles]
*[http://www.submarine-museum.co.uk/what-we-have/memorial-chapel/submarine-losses?start=2 'Submarine losses 1904 to present day' - Royal Navy Submarine Museum]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180108023935/http://www.submarine-museum.co.uk/what-we-have/memorial-chapel/submarine-losses?start=2 'Submarine losses 1904 to present day' - Royal Navy Submarine Museum]


{{British E class submarine}}
{{British E class submarine}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:E03}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:E03}}
[[Category:British E-class submarines of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:British E-class submarines of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Barrow-built ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Barrow-in-Furness]]
[[Category:1912 ships]]
[[Category:1912 ships]]
[[Category:World War I submarines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War I submarines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1914]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in October 1914]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War I]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War I]]
[[Category:World War I shipwrecks in the North Sea]]
[[Category:World War I shipwrecks in the North Sea]]
[[Category:Lost submarines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Lost submarines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Royal Navy ship names]]
[[Category:Royal Navy ship names]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Schiermonnikoog]]

Latest revision as of 15:27, 27 November 2023

British E-class submarine HMS E3
History
United Kingdom
NameE3
BuilderVickers, Barrow-in-Furness
Laid down27 April 1911
Launched29 October 1912
Commissioned29 May 1914
FateSunk on 18 October 1914
General characteristics
Class and typeE-class submarine
Displacement
  • 665 long tons (676 t) (surfaced)
  • 796 long tons (809 t) (submerged)
Length178 ft (54 m)
Beam15.05 ft (4.59 m)
Draught12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
Installed power
  • 800 hp (600 kW) (diesel engines)
  • 420 hp (310 kW)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 15.25 knots (28.24 km/h; 17.55 mph) (surfaced)
  • 9.75 knots (18.06 km/h; 11.22 mph) (submerged)
Range325 nmi (602 km; 374 mi) (surfaced)
Endurance24 days
Complement3 officers, 28 ratings
Armament4 × 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes (1 bow, 2 beam, 1 stern; 10 torpedoes)

HMS E3 was the third E-class submarine to be constructed, built at Barrow by Vickers in 1911–1912. Built with compartmentalisation and endurance not previously achievable, these were the best submarines in the Royal Navy at the start of the First World War. She was sunk in the first ever successful attack on one submarine by another, when she was torpedoed on 18 October 1914 by U-27 north of Schiermonnikoog, the Netherlands.

Design[edit]

The early British E-class submarines, from E1 to E8, had a displacement of 652 long tons (662 t) at the surface and 795 long tons (808 t) while submerged. They had a length overall of 180 feet (55 m) and a beam of 22 feet 8.5 inches (6.922 m), and were powered by two 800-horsepower (600 kW) Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines and two 420 horsepower (310 kW) electric motors.[1][2] The class had a maximum surface speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) and a submerged speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph), with a fuel capacity of 50 long tons (51 t) of diesel affording a range of 3,225 miles (5,190 km; 2,802 nmi) when travelling at 10 knots, while submerged they had a range of 85 miles (137 km; 74 nmi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph).[1] Her complement was three officers and 28 ratings.[3]

The early 'Group 1' E-class boats were armed with four 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes, one in the bow, one either side amidships, and one in the stern; a total of eight torpedoes were carried. Group 1 boats were not fitted with a deck gun during construction, but those involved in the Dardanelles campaign had guns mounted forward of the sail while at Malta Dockyard.[1]

E-class submarines had wireless systems with 1 kilowatt (1.3 hp) power ratings; in some submarines, these were later upgraded to 3 kilowatts (4.0 hp) systems by removing a midship torpedo tube. Their maximum design depth was 100 feet (30 m) although in service some reached depths of below 200 feet (61 m). Some submarines contained Fessenden oscillator systems.[3]

Service history[edit]

When war was declared with Germany on 5 August 1914, E3 was based at Harwich, in the 8th Submarine Flotilla of the Home Fleets.[4]

Loss[edit]

E3 sailed from Harwich on 16 October to patrol off Borkum in the North Sea. On 18 October, she spotted some German destroyers ahead but was unable to get into a position to take a shot at them. Unable to pass them, Commander Cholmley retreated into the bay to wait for them to disperse. As he did so, he failed to see that the bay was also occupied by U-27, under Kapitänleutnant Bernd Wegener.

Wegener was surfaced and patrolling between the Ems and Borkum when at 11:25, an object resembling a buoy was spotted where no buoy should be. Suspecting a British submarine, U-27 immediately dived and closed the object.[5] Although 'conned down', the number 83 was clearly visible on the conning tower of the British boat, now identified as such beyond reasonable doubt.[citation needed] Wegener tracked the submarine for two hours until able to approach 'up sun'. He noted that the look-outs were staring intently in the other direction, towards the Ems. When the distance had closed to 300 yd (270 m), a single torpedo was fired by U-27. Detonation followed shortly after, and E3 sank immediately. Survivors were visible in the water but fearing a second British submarine might have been lurking nearby, U-27 dived and withdrew. 30 minutes later, the U-boat returned to the scene to search for evidence and possible survivors but without success. All 31 members of E3's crew were lost.[5][6]

The wreck[edit]

In October 1990, the stern section was snagged by a fishing boat north of Schiermonnikoog, the Netherlands, which in turn alerted divers from Zeester. The wreck of E3 was discovered on 14 October 1994. The stern of E3 had been blown off in the explosion and was found to be completely detached. The stern section— including the stern torpedo chamber — was later raised. The stern hatch was open, but the nature of the explosion indicates that men in the engine room and motor compartments would have died instantly. The motor and engine rooms are fully exposed and have consequently been looted of all removable fittings, including the bell.[7]

The sail has been removed by fishing nets and the broken periscope standards are still evident. The sail ladder is said to have been donated to the Submarine Museum but is not officially listed within their collections. E3's torpedo loading hatch is open and the bow section is largely intact.

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Akerman, P. (1989). Encyclopaedia of British submarines 1901–1955.  p.150. Maritime Books. ISBN 1-904381-05-7
  2. ^ "E Class". Chatham Submarines. Archived from the original on 13 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b Innes McCartney; Tony Bryan (20 February 2013). British Submarines of World War I. Osprey Publishing. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-1-4728-0035-0.
  4. ^ Position and Movements, H.M. Ships, War Vessels and Aircraft, British and Foreign, Parts I. and II., August 1914. London: Admiralty Records. 1914.
  5. ^ a b Naval Staff Monograph No. 24 1924, pp. 122–123.
  6. ^ Kemp 1999, p. 10.
  7. ^ Scheepswrak: E-3

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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