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Type: Steam submarine
Picture:
Wreck Information: The K4 was built under the Emergency War Programme at the Fairfield yard on the Clyde and completed in 1917 she was lost in a collision with K-6 which sank her bows deep into the side of K-4 almost slicing her completely in half Commander Layton managed to draw free by running K-6 full astern but K-4 stood no chance of survival and she plunged to the bottom like a stone. This wreck is protected under the Militry remains act 1986 (Designated controlled sites).
Harbour / slip: Eyemouth
Parking directions: At the harbour in Eyemouth Google
Distance from harbour: 24 Miles from Eyemouth
Lat & Long: 56 15’.467 N 002 11’.583 W Sunk near the Isle of May
Chart: GB2182b
Depth: 55m
Tides: Tide tables
Dive Boat: Marinequest
Dive Shop: Edinburgh dive centre Aquastars
Accommodation: Marinequest
Suggested experience: Trimix CCR
Other comments: The impressive but spectacularly misconceived K class of submarines were essentially an early attempt to build a vessel which was both submersible and also fast on the surface, qualities which were not combined until the advent of nuclear power, if then. Mechanically complex, they were inherently difficult to trim while the need to raise and retract the funnels made surfacing and diving slow in the extreme. The numerous large openings in the hull were always a potential danger. Designated 'fleet submarines' they were intended to cooperate closely with surface warships moving at high speed but their low freeboard and complex silhouette made them difficult to distinguish, particularly at night and in bad weather.
Pub:
Created by: Finstrokes
Date: 7/7/07
Revision: 2
Thanks To:
Underwater photos: Utube
Wreck diagram: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dive reports: Stevie 1/6/11 The shot had landed about 10ft behind the main gun and was level with the split in the pressure hull where K6 had ridden over her. Shining a torch inside pressure gauges and valve handwheels could be seen. Heading towards the stern this falls away and is bearied in the sand. Moving back forward past the shotline and up onto the raised section the funnels and hatch covers were open, between the two funnels are 4 large mushroom domed air vents. The gun is in place then forward still the conning tower which lies on its side towards starboard. This gives a great view down looking into the control room and up into the conning tower. Finning forward to the bow the torpedoe doors hatches were seen to be closed. Heading back towards the conning tower the periscopes are in place but there is netting partially covering these.