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HMS K13
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The K22 in Plymouth in January 1921.
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS K13
OrderedAugust 1915
BuilderFairfield Shipbuilders, Glasgow
Launched11 November 1916
FateSold for scrapping 16 December 1926 in Sunderland
General characteristics
Class & typeK-class submarine
Displacement
  • 1,980 tons surfaced
  • 2,566 tons submerged
Length339 ft (103 m)
Beam26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
Draught20 ft 11 in (6.38 m)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) surfaced
  • 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)
Range
  • Surfaced:
  • 800 nautical miles (1,500 km; 920 mi) at maximum speed
  • 12,500 nautical miles (23,200 km; 14,400 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
  • Submerged:
  • 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)
  • 40 nautical miles (74 km; 46 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph)
Complement59 (6 officers and 53 ratings)
Armament
  • 4 × 18 inch (450 mm) beam torpedo tubes
  • 4 × 18 in (450 mm) bow tubes, plus 8 spare torpedoes
  • 2 × 4 in (102 mm) guns
  • 1 × 3 in (76 mm) gun
  • 2 × 18 in (450 mm) deck tubes originally fitted, but later removed

HMS K13 was a steam-propelled First World War K class submarine of the Royal Navy. She sank in a fatal accident during sea trials in early 1917 and was salvaged and recommissioned as HMS K22.

Design and construction

[edit]

In early 1915, a requirement arose for a new type of fast submarines capable of operating with the Grand Fleet, which would operate ahead of the fleet in conjunction with the fleet's cruisers and attack an enemy force before the battleships would engage. The submarines would need a speed of at least 21 knots on the surface in the rough waters of the North Sea, with this being beyond the capability of conventional diesel-powered submarines.[1][2] To meet this requirement, a 1913 design for a steam-powered submarine by the Admiralty's Director of Naval Construction was passed to Vickers for detailed design.[3]

The submarines were 339 ft (103.33 m) long overall and 328 ft 6 in (100.13 m) between perpendiculars, with a beam of 26 ft 6+3⁄4 in (8.10 m) and a surfaced draught of 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m).[4] Displacement was 1,980 long tons (2,010 t) on the surface and 2,566 long tons (2,607 t) submerged.[2] Two Yarrow water-tube boilers fed steam at 235 psi (1,620 kPa) to two sets of Brown-Curtis impulse steam turbines rated at 10,500 shp (7,800 kW) which drove two propeller shafts. This gave a design speed on the surface of 24 kn (28 mph; 44 km/h). Submerged, the submarine was propelled by four electric motors rated at 1,440 bhp (1,070 kW) which gave a design speed of 9–9.5 kn (10.4–10.9 mph; 16.7–17.6 km/h) which corresponded to a sea speed of about 8 kn (9.2 mph; 15 km/h). An 800 bhp (600 kW) auxiliary diesel engine was fitted to power the submarine on the surface when the steam plant was unavailable (for example when the submarine had just surfaced and steam was being raised). This engine drove a dynamo which powered the electric motors or charged the batteries.[2][5]

The steam engines required large openings in the pressure hull, with two funnels and four air intakes, which had to be closed off and made watertight before the submarine submerged. The funnels hinged into the submarine's superstructure and the openings by the funnels and air intakes sealed by electrically operated valves.[4][6] The submarine had a range on the surface of 12,500 nmi (14,400 mi; 23,200 km) at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h) (powered by the diesel engine) or 800 nmi (920 mi; 1,500 km) at full power. The submerged endurance was much less than expected, 8 nmi (9.2 mi; 15 km) at 8 kn (9.2 mph; 15 km/h) and 30 nmi (35 mi; 56 km) at 4 kn (4.6 mph; 7.4 km/h).[5]

Ten 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes were fitted, with four bow tubes, four beam tubes and two on a revolving mount on the superstructure, A total of 18 torpedoes were carried. Gun armament consisted of two 4 inch (102 mm) guns and one 3-inch (76 mm) anti-aircraft gun. Once in service, the ships proved to be very wet on the surface, with the bow tending to dig down, and one of the 4-inch guns and the revolving torpedo-tube mount was removed.[2] The normal crew was 59 officers and other ranks.[2]

K13 was one of 12 K-class submarines ordered in August 1915, following on from the first 2 ordered in June that year.[4] She was laid down at Fairfield's Govan shipyard in October 1915 as Yard number 522, and was launched on 11 November 1916.[7][8]

Accident

[edit]

On 29 January 1917, K13 was undergoing final pre-acceptance trials in the Gareloch, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. During a dive in the morning, a small leak had been reported in the boiler rooms, so a second dive was programmed for the afternoon. All boiler room vents were opened to clear the boiler room of steam to aid searching for the leaks. At about 3:00 pm, the submarine went to diving stations, and after confirming that the engine room had been shut off, the submarine was dived.[9][10] She had 80 people on board - 53 crew, 14 employees of the shipbuilders, five sub-contractors, five Admiralty officials, Joseph Duncan, a River Clyde pilot, and Commander Francis Goodhart and engineering officer Lieutenant Leslie Rideal, both from her sister ship K14, which was still under construction.[11]

As she dived, seawater was seen to be entering K13's engine room, and the submarine's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Commander Godfrey Herbert ordered watertight doors to be shut and ballast tanks to be blown to bring the submarine to the surface, and then the drop keels released. Despite this, the dive could not be stopped and the submarine was soon stuck fast on the bottom of the Gareloch.[12][10][13] The crew of E50, another submarine undergoing trials on the Gareloch, watched K13 dive and became concerned that the dive did not "look right" and raised the alarm.[14] Two men were seen on the surface by Annie MacIntyre, a maid in a hotel a mile or so away, but her report was ignored.[15]

A message capsule sent up from the submarine

The first rescue vessel, the torpedo gunboat Gossamer, had started searching for K13 using grapples by 23:00. Attempts to send divers down were delayed since Gossamer had a diving-suit but no diver, and when a diver arrived from Fairfields, he was nearly drowned when the suit, which had not been used for years, burst.[14] Despite the lack of proper escape apparatus, Herbert, and the commander of K14, Commander Goodhart, attempted an escape to the surface by using the space between the inner and outer hatches of the conning tower as an airlock.[16][17] Herbert reached the surface alive, but Goodhart's body was later found trapped in the wheelhouse.[16][12][10]

Once at the surface, Herbert was able to co-ordinate rescue efforts, and later that afternoon an airline was connected, which allowed the ballast tanks to be blown and by midday on 31 January the bows had been brought to just above the surface and supported by a barge on each side. A hole was cut through her pressure hull, and at 22:00 the final survivor was rescued from the submarine.[18] 32 people died in the accident and 48 were rescued.[15][19] 31 bodies were expected to be still on the submarine, but only 29 were found, and it was concluded that the maid had indeed seen two people escaping from the engine room. They were later identified as Engineer-Lieutenant Arthur Lane and Fairfield foreman John Steel. Lane's body was recovered from the Clyde two months later, Steel's body was never found.[15]

At 6 p.m. the following day, K13 tore the bollards out of the barges and sank again, flooding through the hole.[15] The submarine was finally salvaged on 15 March, repaired and recommissioned as HMS K22.

The court of enquiry found that four of the 37 inch (940 mm) diameter ventilators had been left open during the dive, and that the indicator lever in the control room had actually showed them as open.[20][19] The engine room hatch was also found to be open.[15]

Subsequent service

[edit]

K13 was raised on 15 March 1917, and was subsequently refurbished and entered service under the name K22,[8][10] completing on 18 October 1917,[7] joining the 13th Submarine Flotilla.[21]

Main article: Battle of May Island

On the night of 31 January 1918, units of the Grand Fleet, including the 13th Submarine Flotilla (the flotilla leader Ithuriel and the submarines K11, K12, K14, K17 and K22) and the 12th Submarine Flotilla (the light cruiser Fearless and the submarines K3, K4, K6 and K7) set out from Rosyth to take part in exercises. Despite the night being very dark, with occasional patches of fog, the ships were running without lights. When K14 altered course to avoid a number of minesweepers ahead of her, her rudder jammed and she was rammed by K22. The two disabled submarines were then overtaken by the heavier units of the fleet, and K22 was struck by the battlecruiser Inflexible, destroying the external ballast tanks on K22's starboard side. Despite the damage, both submarines remained afloat, with K22 making her way back to port under her own power. On hearing distress signals from the two submarines, Commander E. Leir aboard Ithuriel decided to turn the Flotilla back to go to the assistance of K14 and K22. This put the flotilla on a collision course with the rest of the fleet, including the 12th Submarine Flotilla. On meeting the fleet, Ithuriel had to turn to avoid the battlecruiser Australia, which took the flotilla directly into the path of the 12th Flotilla. Fearless collided with K17, which sank, then K4, following Fearless, pulled out of line and stopped to avoid hitting K17 and Fearless, and was herself hit by K6, which cut K4 in two, and K7. Two submarines had been sunk with 103 killed.[22][23]

K22 remained part of the 13th Flotilla at the end of the war,[24] and by March 1919 was part of the 3rd Submarine Flotilla.[25] She was sold for scrap on 16 December 1926.[26]

Memorials

[edit]
The K13 Memorial at Carlingford, New South Wales

The war graves and a monument to those who lost their lives in the K13 sinking was erected by the ship's company, of the submarine depot at Fort Blockhouse, Gosport. It is to be found at the entrance to Faslane Cemetery, at the head of the Gare Loch.

A memorial to the disaster was erected in Carlingford, New South Wales, Australia, paid for by the widow of Charles Freestone, a leading telegraphist on K13 who survived the accident to later emigrate and prosper in Australia. The memorial was unveiled on 10 September 1961 and has the inscription "This memorial has been created in memory of those officers and men of the Commonwealth who gave their lives in submarines while serving the cause of freedom." Set inside a pool of water surrounded by stone, it is composed of large (taller than a man) white letters saying "K13". There is a further memorial in Elder Park, Govan, opposite the Fairfield shipyard.[27][28]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Whitman 2013, pp. 28–29
  2. ^ a b c d e Gardiner & Gray 1985, p. 91
  3. ^ Brown 2010, p. 125
  4. ^ a b c Harrison 1979, Chapter 8
  5. ^ a b Harrison 1979, Chapter 8, Appendix IIIB
  6. ^ Whitman 2013, p. 29
  7. ^ a b Harrison 1979, Appendix I, p. App I.9
  8. ^ a b "K.13". Clyde Built Ships. Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  9. ^ Naval Staff Monograph No. 34 1933, pp. 166–167
  10. ^ a b c d Kemp 1999, pp. 48–48
  11. ^ Hillhouse 1919, pp. 3–4
  12. ^ a b Naval Staff Monograph No. 34 1933, p. 167
  13. ^ Hillhouse 1919, p. 4
  14. ^ a b Hillhouse 1919, p. 6
  15. ^ a b c d e Hillhouse 1919, p. 17
  16. ^ a b Hillhouse 1919, pp. 8–10
  17. ^ Submarine Casualties Booklet (Report). U.S. Naval Submarine School. 1966. p. G-5. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  18. ^ Hillhouse 1919, pp. 11–17
  19. ^ a b Naval Staff Monograph No. 34 1933, pp. 167–168
  20. ^ Hillhouse 1919, p. 15
  21. ^ "Supplement to the Monthly Navy List Showing Organisation of the Fleet, Flag Officers' Commands &c.: I.—The Grand Fleet: Thirteenth Submarine Flotilla". The Navy List. October 1917. p. 12. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via National Library of Scotland.
  22. ^ Kemp 1999, pp. 64–65
  23. ^ Whitman 2013, p. 31
  24. ^ "Ships of the Royal Navy - Location/Action Date, 1914–1918: Part 2 - Admiralty "Pink Lists", 11 November 1918". Naval-History.net. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Supplement to the Monthly Navy List Showing Organisation of the Fleet, Flag Officers' Commands &c.: I.—The Grand Fleet: Submarines". The Navy List. March 1919. p. 12. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via National Library of Scotland.
  26. ^ Dittmar & Colledge 1972, p. 89
  27. ^ K13 Memorial | Mitchell Library, Glasgow Collection, Bulletin Photographs, The Glasgow Story
  28. ^ Tragic tale behind K13 submarine memorial in Glasgow's Elder Park, Ann Fotheringhay, Glasgow Times, 11 September 2021

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

HMS K13

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
HMS K13 was a K-class submarine of the Royal Navy, constructed during the First World War as one of the largest and fastest submarines of its era, which sank during sea trials in the Gareloch, Scotland, on 29 January 1917, resulting in 32 associated fatalities out of 80 people on board. Ordered in late 1915 from Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Govan, Glasgow, K13 was laid down that year and launched on 11 November 1916, featuring an innovative double-hull design with steam turbine propulsion for surface speeds up to 24 knots, making her the world's fastest submarine at the time of her trials. Her specifications included a length of 339 feet (103 m), a beam of 26 feet 6 inches (8.1 m), a surface displacement of 1,980 tons, and a submerged displacement of 2,566 tons, with a maximum diving depth of 200 feet (61 m). Armament consisted of eight 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes (four bow, four beam) and three deck guns: two 4-inch (102 mm) and one 3-inch (76 mm). Propulsion was provided by two oil-fired Yarrow boilers feeding Brown-Curtis geared steam turbines delivering 10,500 shaft horsepower, supplemented by a diesel generator for battery charging and electric motors for submerged operation, with hinged funnels that could be folded down for diving. The sinking occurred during acceptance trials when, after submerging to 20 feet, the vessel failed to maintain trim and plunged to 50 feet due to four ventilators left open in the engine room, causing rapid flooding aft and a subsequent fire that depleted oxygen in the forward compartments. Of the 80 personnel aboard—including 53 naval crew and 27 civilians and observers—31 drowned immediately in the aft sections, while 49 in the forward compartments, led by Lieutenant Commander Godfrey Herbert, endured over 57 hours trapped with dwindling air before rescue efforts involving an air supply line and oxy-acetylene cutting of the hull allowed 48 to escape through a hole in the bows on 31 January. Commander Francis Goodhart, captain of HMS K14, perished while attempting to assist in the escape by entering the conning tower hatch. Salvaged on 15 March 1917 at significant cost, K13 was refitted and recommissioned in October 1917 as HMS K22 to avoid the unlucky association with the number 13, serving in the Grand Fleet and participating in the disastrous "" on 31 January 1918, where collisions among K-class boats resulted in over 100 additional fatalities across the flotilla. Decommissioned in 1923, she was sold for scrap in 1926, her loss highlighting the experimental risks of the K-class steam-powered design, which saw only partial success despite their speed and size. Annual memorials continue to honor the victims, with centennial commemorations held in 2017 and ongoing events including in 2025 at sites such as HM Naval Base Clyde.

Background and Design

K-class Submarines

The K-class submarines were conceived in as part of a initiative to develop fast-attack vessels capable of integrating with the Grand Fleet, stemming from an Admiralty design originated in 1913. These boats were ordered under the 1915-1916 Naval Programme, with 18 ultimately completed to address the need for submarines that could maintain high speeds alongside surface warships. The program's origins reflected broader wartime pressures to enhance fleet capabilities amid escalating naval rivalry with . Strategically, the K-class was intended to counter German surface threats by enabling submerged and surfaced operations at speeds comparable to dreadnought battleships, emphasizing coordinated fleet actions over independent raiding missions. This fleet-integration role aimed to provide tactical ambush opportunities during major engagements, such as potential battles with the , by allowing submarines to shadow and strike from within the battle line. In general characteristics, the K-class featured propulsion for surface speeds reaching up to 24 knots, supplemented by battery-electric motors for submerged operation at around 8 knots. They displaced 1,980 tons when surfaced and 2,566 tons submerged, with a length of 339 feet and a beam of 26 feet 6 inches, making them among the largest of their era. Armament included 8 × 18-inch (457 mm) torpedo tubes (4 bow, 4 beam), plus 8 spare torpedoes, along with 2 × 4-inch (102 mm) deck guns and 1 × 3-inch (76 mm) anti-aircraft gun; later boats saw minor modifications to gun placements for improved stability. Despite their ambitious design, the K-class was marred by mechanical unreliability, particularly from the steam plant's complexity during submerged transitions, which required rapid funnel retraction and often led to operational delays. The class suffered high accident rates, with at least four boats lost to collisions and diving mishaps, underscoring the challenges of combining high-speed surface performance with effective stealth in a single hull.

Design Specifications

HMS K13 featured a sophisticated steam-electric propulsion system intended to enable high surface speeds comparable to surface warships, marking a significant innovation in submarine design for fleet operations. The primary powerplant consisted of twin Brown-Curtis geared steam turbines rated at 10,500 shaft horsepower (shp) for surfaced running, driven by two Yarrow oil-fired boilers that generated steam for the turbines connected to twin propellers. For submerged operations, two electric motors provided 1,440 brake horsepower (bhp), drawing from batteries charged by an auxiliary 800 horsepower (hp) diesel generator. The submarine carried 415 tons of oil fuel, enabling a surface range of 12,500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 10 knots. This hybrid system allowed K13 to achieve a maximum surfaced speed of 23.5 knots during trials, making her one of the fastest submarines of her era. The hull adopted a robust hull configuration with a length of 339 feet (103 ), a beam of 26 feet 6 inches (8.1 ), and displacements of 1,980 long tons surfaced and 2,566 long tons submerged. Diving capability relied on a of main tanks, enabling a test depth of 200 feet, though the process typically took about five minutes despite design goals for quicker submersion. The complement was 59 personnel (6 officers and 53 ratings), accommodated in watertight compartments that included divisions within the to isolate potential flooding. Innovative elements addressed the challenges of integrating steam power with submerged stealth, such as two retractable funnels that folded into watertight wells, allowing brief periods of low-speed submerged steaming by sealing off the boiler room. Periscopes were retractable to avoid damage during dives, and the auxiliary diesel facilitated battery recharging without relying solely on surface running. These features aimed to balance the submarine's role as a fast-attack vessel capable of keeping pace with battle fleets. Armament emphasized offensive capability with four 18-inch (457 mm) bow torpedo tubes and four beam tubes, supported by eight spare torpedoes for a total of 16 weapons, suitable for engaging enemy capital ships at range. Deck guns included two 4-inch (102 mm) quick-firing guns positioned on and aft platforms, plus one 3-inch (76 mm) high-angle gun for anti-aircraft defense. While later K-class variants incorporated mine-laying gear, K13 lacked this modification, focusing instead on torpedo-centric warfare. Despite these advancements, the harbored vulnerabilities stemming from its complexity, including heavy dependence on manual ventilator and hatch controls that required precise operation to prevent inadvertent flooding through the numerous air intakes and openings. The elevated placement of the steam plant raised the center of gravity, compromising stability and increasing the risk of in heavy or during rapid maneuvers.

Construction

HMS K13 was constructed by the at their shipyard in , , . Ordered in late 1915 as one of the K-class submarines, her keel was laid down in October 1915 under yard number 522. The vessel was launched on 11 November 1916 into the Clyde estuary, marking a key milestone in her assembly amid the intensifying demands of . The build proceeded rapidly under wartime pressures, complicated by material and labor shortages that strained Clyde shipyards throughout and 1916. Fairfield's workforce, expanded to over skilled laborers during the conflict, navigated these constraints while integrating the K-class's innovative -electric propulsion system, which combined oil-fired boilers, turbines, and electric motors in a double-hull configuration. This complexity required precise engineering to ensure the 1,800-ton could achieve its designed surface speed of 24 knots, though the high heat from the turbines necessitated additional ventilation measures. Fitting out continued post-launch, with completion by late , after which K13 was assigned to Submarine for initial shakedown operations in waters. The approximate cost for her aligned with the class estimate of £340,000, reflecting the substantial in these fleet submarines.

The 1917 Accident

Sea Trials and Sinking

Following its launch on 11 1916, HMS K13 underwent initial shakedown trials in the Gareloch, , to evaluate its diving capabilities and engine room functionality during submerged operations. Under the command of Godfrey Herbert, the final pre-acceptance trials on 29 January 1917 aimed to confirm the submarine's readiness for service, building on successful surface speed tests that reached 23 knots earlier that day. The vessel carried 80 personnel aboard, consisting of 53 Royal Navy crew members and 27 additional individuals, including 14 representatives from the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, 5 Admiralty officials, 5 subcontractors, a Clyde pilot, and observers such as Commander Francis Goodhart from HMS K14. At approximately 3:15 p.m., K13 signaled to the nearby HMS E50 its intention to conduct a routine dive to 20 feet. However, a critical miscommunication led to four 37-inch ventilators and the engine room hatch remaining open, allowing seawater to flood the boiler and engine rooms almost immediately upon submergence. The submarine refused to level off, instead descending rapidly in a stern-down attitude due to the imbalance, and struck the Gareloch bottom at a depth of approximately 50 feet shortly thereafter, around 3:20 p.m. As flooding progressed, compressed air buildup in the sealed forward sections caused explosions that damaged the hull structure and ignited a at the main switchboard, depleting oxygen and filling the control room with smoke. Herbert, recognizing the peril, donned a Davis escape apparatus and successfully exited via the hatch to reach the surface. In a desperate effort to secure the hatches and prevent further ingress, Goodhart attempted a similar escape but became trapped in the and drowned. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in the K-class control indicators, which had failed to alert the to the open positions. Of the 80 aboard, 32 perished—primarily engineers and personnel confined in the flooded after sections—while 47 survivors remained trapped forward until external aid arrived (with Herbert having escaped earlier to lead efforts from the surface, for a total of 48 survivors).

Rescue Efforts and Salvage

Following the sinking of HMS K13 on 29 January 1917 in Gareloch, operations commenced promptly, with the first distress signals sent via from the submarine around 4:00 p.m., alerting nearby vessels including HMS E50. By 10:00 p.m., the gunboat HMS Gossamer arrived at the scene as the initial vessel, followed by divers descending to the hull at daybreak on 30 January. Over the next 57 hours, 47 trapped survivors were extracted from the forward compartments, where 32 individuals had perished, using a combination of air supply lines and emergency escapes. The rescue was led by personnel and Fairfield Shipbuilding staff, employing innovative techniques under dire conditions. Godfrey Herbert, K13's , successfully escaped via the after initial attempts failed, while Commander Francis Goodhart of HMS K14 drowned in a similar effort. Divers connected a high-pressure air hose to the hull after approximately 26 hours, supplying oxygen and allowing the to pump out water from double-skinned sections; by 35 hours, food was passed through a small opening. For the final extractions, oxy-acetylene torches were used to cut a larger hole in the pressure hull, though delays occurred due to equipment failures, such as a burst on the first attempt. Decompression procedures and caisson methods enabled access to forward compartments, with the last survivors emerging around 10:00 p.m. on 31 January. Salvage operations began in early February 1917, involving multiple Admiralty vessels and pontoons to refloat the submarine after seven weeks on the seabed. Divers attached wires and slings to lift the bow using cranes and to blow tanks, partially surfacing the vessel by 31 January but causing it to sink again on 1 February due to instability. Persistent winter weather in Gareloch complicated efforts, alongside structural damage from internal air pressure that crushed the bow section. By 15 March, K13 was fully refloated and towed to for initial inspection, during which 29 of the 32 bodies were recovered from the wreck. The operation highlighted the feasibility of repairing K-class submarines despite extensive damage, though it demanded significant resources from the Royal Navy.

Service as HMS K22

Recommissioning and Wartime Operations

Following its salvage on 15 March , the submarine was refitted at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company's yard on the Clyde, where it underwent repairs from to to address damage from the flooding incident. Modifications included improved seals on hatches and ventilators, as well as redundancies in the engine room to prevent accidental flooding during dives, based on findings from the subsequent into the sinking. It was recommissioned as HMS K22 on 18 , renamed to avert surrounding the number 13. HMS K22 was assigned to the 13th Submarine Flotilla at , operating with the Grand Fleet in the . From late 1917 until the in , it conducted anti-submarine patrols, escorted surface fleets during operations, and contributed to the of German naval forces, though it recorded no confirmed sinkings. On 31 January 1918, during night exercises as part of Operation EC1—an anti-submarine sweep in the —K22 suffered a collision with HMS K14, which had swerved to avoid minesweepers near May Island. Approximately 25 minutes later, the HMS Inflexible rammed the already damaged K22, flooding two forward compartments but causing only minor overall damage as the hull remained watertight. The incident, part of a chaotic series of mishaps known as the "," underscored persistent handling difficulties with the K-class submarines, including poor visibility and maneuverability in formation.

Post-War Service and Decommissioning

Following the end of , HMS K22 was transferred to the 3rd , based at Plymouth under Plymouth Command, where she undertook and reserve duties from 1919 onward. Her operational role diminished significantly in the , as the K-class submarines were increasingly viewed as obsolete due to their complex steam propulsion systems, poor diving performance, and history of accidents, rendering them unsuitable for frontline service. The broader naval disarmament efforts of the 1920s prompted the disposal of older vessels like the K-class in favor of more efficient diesel-electric designs; as a result, K22 was primarily employed for experimental dives and rather than extended patrols. In her final years, K22 saw limited activity, including participation in fleet exercises with the Atlantic Fleet as part of the 1st Submarine Flotilla in 1925. She was paid off into dockyard control at Chatham on 7 December 1925 amid the broader phase-out of the K-class. Decommissioning followed swiftly, with K22 struck from the Navy List and sold for scrap in December 1926 to Hughes Bolckow at their yard in . Throughout her post-recommissioning service, K22 logged no combat engagements, instead exemplifying Navy's rapid shift away from experimental steam-powered submarines toward more reliable and versatile types in the .

Legacy and Commemorations

Inquiries and Technical Lessons

Following the sinking of HMS K13 on 29 January 1917, the Admiralty convened a formal court of inquiry in February 1917 to investigate the causes of the accident. The inquiry determined that the primary cause was , specifically the failure to close four 37-inch diameter ventilators to the boiler room and the hatch before diving, which allowed seawater to flood the after compartments rapidly. Indicator lights in had signaled that the ventilators remained open, yet the dive proceeded, underscoring lapses in pre-dive verification procedures. The board placed sole responsibility on Engineer Lieutenant Arthur Lane, who perished in the incident and was thus unable to contest the findings; investigators concluded he had neglected to secure the vents despite his role in preparing the engine room. In contrast, the inquiry exonerated Godfrey Herbert, the , ruling that he was justified in assuming the vessel was fully closed up for diving based on reports from his officers. No structural defects in K13 were identified, though the proceedings highlighted the inherent procedural complexities of the K-class design, which required numerous manual closures for the to transition to submerged operations. Among the personnel outcomes, Commander Francis H. H. Goodhart, who was aboard for familiarization, was posthumously awarded the Albert Medal in Gold for gallantry in attempting to escape through the hatch to aid survivors, sacrificing his own life in the process. The inquiry recommended enhanced training and stricter checklists for diving routines to prevent similar oversights, emphasizing redundant confirmations of compartment integrity. The K13 disaster, as the first major K-class mishap, amplified concerns over the type's operational viability. More broadly, it reinforced the 's growing skepticism toward steam-powered , whose surface speed advantages were offset by diving vulnerabilities; post-war analyses cited the K-class accidents, including K13, as pivotal in shifting future designs exclusively to diesel-electric propulsion, as seen in subsequent L-class and interwar developments. This policy evolution also influenced Admiralty safety directives issued in 1917, prioritizing simplified controls and automated safeguards in submarine engineering to mitigate risks.

Memorials and Remembrances

The Faslane Memorial in Faslane Cemetery, located at the head of the in , serves as the primary site of remembrance for the 32 lives lost in the HMS K13 disaster, with 31 victims—comprising Royal Navy personnel and shipyard workers—buried there in a communal grave marked by a simple grey granite obelisk. Annual wreath-laying ceremonies are conducted by submariners from HM Naval Base Clyde, honoring the crew and reinforcing the ongoing commitment of the 's submarine service to commemorate the event. In , , the K13 Memorial stands in Elder Park adjacent to the former yard where the submarine was constructed; it features a with inscriptions and a carved fouled , erected in 1922 by employees of the to pay to the victims. Restoration efforts in recent years have preserved the monument, ensuring its role in local commemorative services led by the West of Submariners Association. The K13 Memorial in Carlingford, a suburb of , , , was dedicated on 10 1961 to honor Commonwealth submariners, including those lost on HMS K13, and consists of a landscaped park with a pond, rocks inscribed with "K13," and brass plaques listing the names of the deceased; it was unveiled by the widow of Leading Telegraphist Charles Freestone, a survivor who settled in . This site underscores the global impact of the tragedy, particularly for Australian and personnel involved in the trials. Commemorative events continue to mark the anniversary of the sinking. On 29 January 2017, a centenary ceremony at Faslane Cemetery drew serving and veteran submariners, along with families, for a wreath-laying service and readings, covered by the as a to the bravery and sacrifice of the crew. The 108th anniversary on 29 January 2025 featured a similar gathering at Faslane, with veterans, active-duty personnel, and trainee submariners participating in wreath-laying and reflective tributes, including speeches from descendants of survivors. Cultural remembrances of the HMS K13 disaster include dedicated books such as K13 Remembered: An Untold Story by Keith Hall (2019), which analyzes the event through survivor perspectives and archival records. The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine features exhibits and blog posts honoring the submarine service, including detailed accounts of the K13 incident and its place in Scottish . Online archives maintained by the Submariners Association preserve firsthand survivor testimonies and photographs, providing accessible resources for ongoing and memorialization.

References

  1. https://rnsubs.co.uk/index.php?PageID=396
  2. https://www.forcesnews.com/services/navy/unlucky-sub-remembering-crew-hms-k13
  3. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-38771526
  4. https://rnsubs.co.uk/index.php?PageID=383
  5. https://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.php?ship_id=k-class-submarine-united-kingdom
  6. https://laststandonzombieisland.com/tag/k-13/
  7. https://rnsubs.co.uk/index.php?PageID=132
  8. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2022/january/31/20220131-k13-crew-are-remembered-at-hm-naval-base-clyde
  9. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24893270.tributes-paid-32-victims-submarine-disaster-108-years/
  10. https://naval-encyclopedia.com/ww1/uk/british-ww1-submarines.php
  11. https://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/%22K%22_Class_Submarine_(1916)
  12. https://www.angelfire.com/hi5/interactive_learning/K_13/Home_intro.htm
  13. https://www.scottishshipwrecks.com/hms-k-13/
  14. https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ship_listPage=1&a1Page=2817&ref=6489&vessel=K.13
  15. https://www.navygeneralboard.com/k-class-vs-u-d-1/
  16. https://navyhistory.au/sydney-memorial-to-hm-submarine-k13/
  17. https://www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org/honouring-the-k13-submarine-disaster/
  18. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100031809
  19. https://submarinersassociation.co.uk/the-accident-to-k13/
  20. https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/history/govan-museum-keeping-glasgows-incredible-23000666
  21. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-24820573
  22. http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=569:k-13-submarine-disaster-part-one&catid=88:military&Itemid=462
  23. https://submarinefamily.uk/submarines/hms-k13/
  24. https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/the-battle-of-may-island-january-1917-and-k-class-submarines-of-the-first-world-war/
  25. https://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1392:k-13-submarine-disaster-part-three&catid=88&Itemid=555
  26. https://www.naval-history.net/xGW-RNOrganisation1914-1918.htm
  27. https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/blog/tragedy-at-sea-the-battle-of-may-island/
  28. https://naval-history.net/xGW-RNOrganisation1919-39.htm
  29. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/k-class-submarines-sank-turbine-hopes-46945
  30. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1926/may/washington-treaties-1922
  31. https://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/H.M.S._K_13_(1916)
  32. https://laststandonzombieisland.com/tag/k-22/
  33. https://www.shipsnostalgia.com/media/submarine-k-13.243755/
  34. https://www.sonistics.com/wp-content/uploads/K13-Accident-Percy-Hillhouse-Report.pdf
  35. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2947209/francis-herbert-heveningham-goodhart/
  36. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2019/september/20/190920-k13-plinth-reveiled
  37. http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=569:k-13-submarine-disaster-part-one&catid=88&Itemid=555
  38. https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/24893048.submariners-remember-victims-k13-submarine-tragedy/
  39. https://getintogovan.com/the-k13-memorial/
  40. https://www.theoutdoormuseum.co.uk/submariners-association/
  41. https://democratonline.net/2019/01/28/k13-memorial/
  42. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2017/january/30/170130-submariners-remember
  43. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/poignant-memorial-held-honour-32-34569568
  44. https://www.amazon.com/K13-Remembered-untold-Keith-Hall/dp/1731559518
  45. https://submarinersassociation.co.uk/tag/k13-memorial-weekend/
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