Type:   K-class submarines 

Picture:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wreck Information: A top-secret mission in the Firth of Forth in 1918 led to 105 deaths when two K-class submarines were sunk with no shots fired in what is known as the Battle of the Isle of May. A flotilla of nine submarines and a convoy of battleships set sail from Rosyth naval base for a night exercise 13 miles off the Fife coast. The vessels were ordered to maintain radio silence and extinguish navigation lights as they made their way through the heavy mist.Disaster struck when the K22 had to change course to avoid a mine-sweeping trawler. The manoeuvre jammed K22's rudder, sending it into K14, killing two of K14's crew members. HMS Inflexible then hit K22, sheering off the submarine's ballast tank and bending her bows round 90 degrees while HMS Fearless struck K17 and sank the submarine in eight minutes. The escaping crew were mown down by HMS Fearless. Nine crew members survived. Submarine K6 tried to take evasive action and collided with K4, causing K4 to sink with all her crew. This wreck is protected under the Militery remains act 1986  (Designated controlled sites) 

Harbour / slip:     Eyemouth 

Parking directions:    At the harbour  Google

Distance from harbour:      Eyemouth  21 miles  

Lat & Long:     56 15’.430 N   002 11’.556 W 

Chart:    GB2182b

Depth:    53m 

Tides:    Tide tables

Dive Boat:    Marinequest

Dive Shop:     Aquastars    Edinburgh dive centre  FYM 

Accommodation:       Marinequest

Suggested experience:   Trimix diver  

Other comments: The K-17 was hit by HMS Fearless and although she did not sink immediately and her 56 crew managed to escape, only eight survived in the chaos and confusion which followed. The companionway is seen from a huge gash in the hull behind the boiler room. The mushroom vents are between the two funnels, there is 4 of them in total and have been voiced as one of the main problem areas of the K boats, not closing properly and causing flooding, K13 went to the bottom in the gareloch because of them.

Pub: 

Created by:   Steve Haddow 

Date:   7/7/07 

Thanks To:   Steve Haddow for the U/W Pictures 

Links:     Link   Wikipedia

Underwater photos: 

Wreck diagram:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dive Report: