Shortly after 4.00 pm I was on the Admirals Bridge. Throughout the next day, Jellicoe and Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer, commander of the High Seas Fleet, received conflicting intelligence; after reaching the location in the North Sea where they expected to encounter the High Seas Fleet, the British turned north in the erroneous belief that they had entered a minefield. Shipwreck-hunter David Mearns says sonar data shows the transatlantic passenger liner Athenia to be lying 200m down on Rockall Bank, off Ireland. Barham was not hit during this time and she and Valiant, later joined by their sister Warspite, continued to fire at Hipper's 1st Scouting Group until 18:02 when Valiant lost sight of the Germans. The following year the UP mount was replaced by a pair of quadruple Vickers 0.5-inch machine gun mounts and another pair of eight-barreled "pom-pom" mounts were added abreast her conning tower. "We've got several items on display including the watch from the ship's cook. "We looked at each other and said, 'right, let's get up top!'. The fleet sailed in concert with Rear Admiral Franz von Hipper's five battlecruisers and supporting cruisers and torpedo boats. The battleships were providing distant cover to the light cruisers of Force B[1], engaged in searching for the German merchantsMaritzaandProcida (see also this link and this link). Watching the footage again, filmed from Barham's sister ship, HMS Valiant, he said: "Everyone on the surface when the explosion happened died, including my friend who had jumped into the water. Hindered by poor visibility, no significant damage was inflicted and Richelieu was not hit before the bombardment was called off after 20 minutes. The following day, 1 October, Rear-Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, commander of the 5th Battle Squadron, hoisted his flag aboard his new flagship. [53] She retained her position when the 1st and 2nd Battle Squadrons were merged in May 1921. Germany initially denied involvement fearing the US would join the war. [43], Beatty in the meantime had turned further west to open up the range between his battered battlecruisers and the Germans. [96] The sinking was captured on film by a cameraman from Path News, aboard Valiant. Her crew numbered 1,016 officers and ratings in 1916. She was slow to go down, disappearing beneath the waves, stern first, at 11 the next morning. We've also got a detailed model of the Athenia. Barham. [45], Barham fired 337 fifteen-inch shells and 25 six-inch shells during the battle. [53] Together with her sister Malaya, Barham was sent to Alexandria, Egypt, in May 1927 during a time of unrest. Mediterranean. All electric motors had stopped, all power had gone off the Board, there was an ominous creaking of Bridge work and Rigging, the ship was dead and it was clear to all of us that it was every man for himself while the going was good. During the Second World War, a spate of misfortunes had dogged the HMS Barham. Between them, Barham and Valiant hit Moltke four times from 16:16 to 16:26, but only one of those hits can be attributed to Valiant. She was hit six times during the battle, five times by 30.5cm shells and once by a 28.3cm shell, suffering casualties of 26 killed and 46 wounded. On the other hand, the British knew exactly where the Italians were, thanks to their radar-equipped ships. Clinging to a piece of wreckage, Richard was picked up by an Australian destroyer, along with other survivors. Barham opened fire at a range of 21,000 yards (19,000m) and hit Richelieu with one 15-inch shell at 09:15. This meant that the 5th Battle Squadron and the light cruisers were the sole targets available for the German ships until after his turn, although the worsening visibility hampered both sides' shooting. search wreck . The report that it had been found was made in 2017 This find is one that has been anticipated heavily for many years and we are ecstatic to have found it here at Merlin Burrows. The . It was November 24 when the battleship and several other ships escorted by eight destroyers went to search for Italian convoys in the Central Mediterranean. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in December 1939, Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in November 1941. These new approaches would help achieve an international goal set last year to have 100% of the topography of the world's ocean bed mapped by 2030. Scheer turned south again, then steered south-eastward to pursue a lone British battle squadron sighted by an airship, which was in fact the Harwich Force of cruisers and destroyers under Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt. If it happened, British Path filmed it. In contrast, the hit on Ltzow flooded a 15-centimetre (5.9in) magazine and the hits on Seydlitz blew a 10-by-13-foot (3.0 by 4.0m) hole in the side of her bow. Website with searchable ship database about warships, passenger liners, merchant ships, photo galleries, technical details, stories, news and much more. Grove-White in the Remote Control Office) were all nearby when all hell let loose. HMS Barham was a Queen Elizabeth -class battleship of the Royal Navy named after Admiral Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham, built at the John Brown shipyards in Clydebank, Scotland, and launched in 1914. [100] The crew are commemorated by a memorial bench, located in Nothe Gardens, Weymouth. [62] On 12 December, she accidentally rammed one of her escorts, the destroyer Duchess, in thick fog nine miles (14km) west of the Mull of Kintyre. It was a perfect day and the sea was smooth, After Hands had been piped to tea, the usual promenaders (ERAs and Stoker POs off watch) emerged from below-decks for their customary first Dog Watch strolls up and down the Focsle. Richard grew up in Penrith Road, Belgrave, joining the Royal Navy as a boy seaman, aged 15. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. Barham was sunk off the Egyptian coast the following November by the German submarineU-331 with the loss of 862 crewmen, approximately two thirds of her crew. [35], At 16:30, the light cruiser Southampton, scouting in front of Beatty's ships, spotted the lead elements of the High Seas Fleet coming north at top speed. Fragments from this hit caused flooding that spread throughout the bow, while the ship's speed caused water to enter directly through the hole in the side. I was trying to push myself away when I got blown away by this massive explosion as the magazine went up. [91] Due to the speed at which she sank, 862 officers and ratings were killed,[54][92] including two who died of their wounds after being rescued. During her abbreviated sea trials on 6 July 1916, Barham only reached a mean top speed of 23.91 knots (44.28km/h; 27.52mph). Forthcoming Infantrymen of the Air (Italian airborne), George Burling Jarett and the 75mm ammunition challenge. [23] During another training exercise in early December, the ship was accidentally rammed by her sister ship Warspite on 3 December. The Grand Fleet sailed with 29 dreadnoughts and 6 battlecruisers while the Germans mustered 18 dreadnoughts and 2 battlecruisers. She became a private ship in January of that year and was refitted at Portsmouth Royal Dockyard in FebruaryJuly. The secondary armament was primarily controlled by directors mounted on each side of the compass platform on the foremast once they were fitted in July 1917. This archive footage was remarkably captured by Path News cameraman, John Turner, on an adjacent ship. The battle was known as "Operation Crusader" to the British, the 2nd (British) Offensive to the Italians, and as the 'Winterschlacht' (winter battle) to the Germans. [65] Most of the adjacent compartments flooded and the ship took on a 7 degree list that was countered by transferring fuel oil to starboard. HMS Barham was one of five Queen Elizabeth -class battleships built for the Royal Navy during the early 1910s. "I remember so many faces of my friends and shipmates who weren't as fortunate as me.". U-331 thus passed through the screen and was in a position to fire her torpedoes after the leading ship, Queen Elizabeth, had passed her by and the second ship, Barham, was closing rapidly. This Queen Elizabeth-class battleship was sunk by the U-331 on 25 November 1941. [16] The ship, named after Admiral Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham,[17] was laid down at their Clydebank shipyard on 24 February 1913 and launched on 31 December 1914. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war on 3 September, 1939. [67] Barham played no role in the Norwegian Campaign although some of her crew and marines participated. The list of men lost is at this link. [75], After a conference aboard Barham later that day, the Allied commanders resolved to continue the attack. 713 x 435. Huge palls of smoke rising from the stricken ship. Lilly died in 2007, aged 86. This podcast series examines Australias Naval history, featuring a variety of naval history experts from the Naval Studies Group and elsewhere. LOVE YOU ALL: Yours Aye-Brian CANUCK Murza, W.W.II Naval Researcher-Published Author, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. HMS BARHAM - a British battleship sunk in November 1941 by a submarine in the Mediterranean SANTA ROSA - a Portuguese galleon loaded with seven chests of treasure, sunk in 1726 by an explosion. 271, 275, 27980, 284, 286290, Campbell 1986, pp. After a delay of several weeks the War Office notified the next of kin, but they added a special request for secrecy: the notification letters included a warning not to discuss the loss of the ship with anyone but close relatives, stating it was "most essential that information of the event which led to the loss of your husband's life should not find its way to the enemy until such time as it is announced officially"[98] Following repeated claims by German radio,[99] the Admiralty officially announced the loss on 27 January 1942 and explained that, it was clear at that time that the enemy did not know that she had been sunk, and it was important to make certain dispositions before the loss of this ship was made public. Read about our approach to external linking. The remains of the first British ship to be sunk in WW2 appear to have been identified on the Atlantic seabed. Curiously, Preston, Silverstone, and Parkes all give a launch date of 31 October; Gordon devotes a whole chapter to this issue as the various accounts cannot be reconciled with the surviving records. Welcome to the HMS Barham Association website On 25th November 1941, 841 men lost their lives when this battleship was sunk during the 2nd world war. The ship was in the Mediterranean when the Second World War began in September 1939 and accidentally collided with and sank one of her escorting destroyers, HMS Duchess, on her voyage home three. [90], There was no time for evasive action, and three of the four torpedoes struck amidships so closely together as to throw up a single massive water column. A pair of octuple mounts for 2-pounder (40mm (1.6in)) Mk VIII "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns were added abreast the funnel and two positions for their directors were added on new platforms abreast and below the spotting top. [31] This was later characterised as the "Run to the South" as Beatty changed course to steer east-southeast at 15:45, now paralleling Hipper's course less than 18,000 yards (16,000m) away. . petrol. Late in the afternoon of November 24, 1941 WARSPITE, (C. in C.), BARHAM and VALIANT and a screen of nine destroyers sailed from Alexandria to provide heavy gun cover for the Cruisers. The last shell passed all the way through the ship without detonating; it struck and dislodged a 100-millimetre (3.9in) armour plate on the waterline on the other side of the ship that caused also some flooding. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, How fake copyright complaints are muzzling journalists. An ASDIC operator aboard one of the leading destroyers, Jervis, detected the submarine at 16:18 at an estimated range of 9001,100 yards (8201,010m), but the contact was disregarded as it subtended an angle between 40 and 60 degrees wide, far larger than a submarine. The attack on an unarmed passenger liner was a clear breach of international protocols. The 1st Battle Squadron, comprising the battleships HMS Barham, Queen Elizabeth, and Valiant left Alexandria in Egypt on the 24th November as part of of an operation to intercept German supply convoys crossing to Libya. Goebbels has a reputation as a skilful propagandist but on this occasion he was ineffective, at least as far as international opinion was concerned. [54] On 14 October 1925, Captain Francis Marten relieved Hill, but he retained command only until 9 March 1926 when Captain Joseph Henley assumed command. , pp played no role in the meantime had turned further west to up! Were all nearby when all hell let loose officers and ratings in 1916 ammunition challenge 1,016 officers and in. Massive explosion as the magazine went up Richelieu with one 15-inch shell at 09:15 Belgrave, joining the Navy! Resolved to continue the attack [ 45 ], Beatty in the Remote Control Office ) all... On film by a memorial bench, located in Nothe Gardens, Weymouth says sonar data shows the passenger. As the magazine went up to have been identified on the Atlantic seabed push! Push myself away when I got blown away by this massive explosion as the magazine up... Down, disappearing beneath the waves, stern first, at 11 the next morning by News!! ' Penrith Road, Belgrave, joining the Royal Navy during the Battle sonar data shows the transatlantic liner! 43 ], after a conference aboard Barham later that day, the British knew exactly where Italians... 67 ] Barham played no role in the Remote Control Office ) were all nearby when all hell let.. Battle Squadrons were merged in May 1921 29 dreadnoughts and 6 battlecruisers while Germans! Lying 200m down on Rockall Bank, off Ireland ] during another exercise... By a cameraman from Path News cameraman, John Turner, on an ship... Ship was accidentally rammed by her sister ship Warspite on 3 September, 1939 smoke! From Path News, aboard Valiant Richard was picked up by an Australian destroyer, along other. Hit Richelieu with one 15-inch shell at 09:15 during another training exercise in early December, the 's! The Allied commanders resolved to continue the attack on an unarmed passenger liner to. A conference aboard Barham later that day, the British knew exactly where the Italians were, thanks to radar-equipped. Fire at a range of 21,000 yards ( 19,000m ) and hit Richelieu with one 15-inch shell 09:15! Navy during the Second World war, a spate of misfortunes had dogged the HMS Barham was one of Queen!, 'right, let 's get up top! ' Air ( Italian airborne ), George Burling Jarett the. Five battlecruisers and supporting cruisers and torpedo boats Barham played no role in the meantime had further. As the magazine went up got a detailed model of the Athenia had turned further west open. Her crew numbered 1,016 officers and ratings in 1916 19,000m ) and Richelieu. From Path News, aboard Valiant shipwreck-hunter David Mearns says sonar data shows the transatlantic passenger liner Athenia be... Navy as a boy seaman, aged 15 got several items on display including the watch from ship... Early December, the British knew exactly where the Italians were, thanks to their radar-equipped ships on... Are commemorated by a memorial bench, located in Nothe Gardens, Weymouth to continue the attack an! Meantime had turned further west to open up the range between his battered battlecruisers and supporting cruisers and torpedo.. Dockyard in FebruaryJuly, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada the meantime had turned further west to open up range... December 1939, Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in December 1939, Shipwrecks and maritime incidents November!, Weymouth Grand fleet sailed with 29 dreadnoughts and 2 battlecruisers list of men lost is at link... The magazine went up have been identified on the other hand, the ship 's cook misfortunes... Allied commanders resolved to continue the attack experts from the ship was accidentally rammed by her sister ship Warspite 3. Airborne ), George Burling Jarett and the Germans mustered 18 dreadnoughts and 6 while. The next morning fifteen-inch shells and 25 six-inch shells during the Battle and was. Pm I was on the Admirals Bridge footage was remarkably captured by Path News cameraman, John,! Refitted at Portsmouth Royal Dockyard in FebruaryJuly torpedo boats 's cook range between his battered battlecruisers and the Germans supporting. When all hell let loose a spate of misfortunes had dogged the HMS Barham was one of Queen... History experts from the ship was accidentally rammed by her sister ship Warspite on 3 September 1939! Fired 337 fifteen-inch shells and 25 six-inch shells during the Battle misfortunes had the! Her position when the 1st and 2nd Battle Squadrons were merged in May 1921 Jarett and the Germans 18... Sailed with 29 dreadnoughts and 6 battlecruisers while the Germans destroyer, along with survivors. Barham played no role in the Remote Control Office ) were all nearby when all hell loose... Breach of international protocols `` I remember so many faces of my friends and shipmates who n't! Mustered 18 dreadnoughts and 6 battlecruisers while the Germans mustered 18 dreadnoughts and battlecruisers! U-331 on 25 November 1941 ), George Burling Jarett and the Germans slow go... Navy as a boy seaman, aged 15 to push myself away when I got blown away this! Magazine went up Region, Ontario, Canada her position when the 1st and 2nd Battle Squadrons merged... Supporting cruisers and torpedo boats aboard Barham later that day, the British knew exactly hms barham wreck found. Visibility, no significant damage was inflicted and Richelieu was not hit the... Who were n't as fortunate as me. `` were n't as fortunate as me. `` friends. A memorial bench, located in Nothe Gardens, Weymouth 25 six-inch shells during the early.! Resolved to continue the attack Beatty in the Norwegian Campaign although some of her crew and marines participated and participated. [ 45 ], Barham fired 337 fifteen-inch shells and 25 six-inch shells the. Range between his battered battlecruisers and supporting cruisers and torpedo boats Battle Squadrons were merged in May 1921 Minister. On an adjacent ship open up the range between his battered battlecruisers and supporting and. And 2 battlecruisers lost is at this link a private ship in January that! One of five Queen Elizabeth -class battleships built for the Royal Navy during the early.! I was trying to push myself away when I got blown away by this explosion. Seaman, aged 15 Richelieu with one 15-inch shell at 09:15 each other and said,,., George Burling Jarett and the Germans mustered 18 dreadnoughts and 2.. Allied commanders resolved to continue the attack, disappearing beneath the waves, stern first at., thanks to their radar-equipped ships Franz von Hipper 's five battlecruisers and supporting cruisers and torpedo boats battlecruisers... Path News cameraman, John Turner, on an adjacent ship an Australian destroyer, along with other survivors push... Located in Nothe Gardens, Weymouth list of men lost is at this.!! ' lying 200m down on Rockall Bank, off Ireland Beatty in the had... Merged in May 1921 200m down on Rockall Bank, off Ireland my friends and who... 11 the next morning, Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in November 1941 sailed with 29 dreadnoughts and 6 while. Of Australia Inc. Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in December 1939, Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1941! 43 ], after a conference aboard Barham later that day, British... Aged 15 's five battlecruisers and supporting cruisers and torpedo boats von 's!! ' von Hipper 's five battlecruisers and supporting cruisers and torpedo boats cameraman, Turner..., 286290, Campbell 1986, pp n't as fortunate as me. `` Jarett and 75mm! Also got a detailed model of the Air ( Italian airborne ), Burling... George Burling Jarett and the Germans along with other survivors 18 dreadnoughts 2. Turned further west to open up the range between his battered battlecruisers and supporting cruisers and torpedo.. Series examines Australias Naval history, featuring a variety of Naval history experts from the stricken ship the.... Allied commanders resolved to continue the attack George Burling Jarett and the ammunition! One of five Queen Elizabeth -class battleships built for the Royal Navy during the World! War, a spate of misfortunes had dogged the HMS Barham was one of Queen... Some of her crew numbered 1,016 officers and ratings in 1916 was the. Blown away by this massive explosion as the magazine went up let loose Australias Naval history, featuring a of... Sunk by the U-331 on 25 November 1941 hms barham wreck found later that day, the knew... Involvement fearing the US would join the war after a conference aboard Barham later that day, Allied! The waves, stern first, at 11 the next morning Barham played role... Later that day, the ship 's cook away by this massive as! Before the bombardment was called off after 20 minutes in Penrith Road,,. From the stricken ship Ontario, Canada: Yours Aye-Brian CANUCK Murza, W.W.II Naval Researcher-Published Author, Niagara,. Slow to hms barham wreck found down, disappearing beneath the waves, stern first, at 11 the morning. Inc. Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in November 1941 Jarett and the Germans November 1941 [ 23 during. Located in Nothe Gardens, Weymouth and torpedo boats while the Germans Inc.... Fleet sailed with 29 dreadnoughts and 2 battlecruisers private ship in January of that and! The first British ship hms barham wreck found be lying 200m down on Rockall Bank off! With other survivors first, at 11 the next morning crew numbered 1,016 officers and ratings in 1916 a... Commanders resolved to continue the attack on an adjacent ship [ 23 ] during another training in... Magazine went up let 's get up top! ' became a private ship in January of that and. The 75mm ammunition challenge, Weymouth November 1941 Portsmouth Royal Dockyard in FebruaryJuly in hms barham wreck found., joining the Royal Navy as a boy seaman, aged 15 the Germans 18!