An infamous episode of naval activity involving Port Edgar Destroyers was the 'Battle' of May Island (not actually a battle!). On the 31 January 1918, a large force of warships sailed from their anchorages and berths in the Forth, to participate in an exercise, code named EC1. Amongst this armada were 9 'K' class submarines, destroyers and several major warships. The whole force in line ahead stretched for 20 miles. The exercise conditions dictated that they keep radio silence and reduce navigation lighting.
Shortly after 7pm, approaching May Island, the force came across a small group of ally minesweepers, their own side. In the mist and darkness, confusion reigned. In the attempt to avoid the minesweepers, rapid course changes were made. As a result a collision occurred when K14 was struck by k22. What followed was a series of subsequent collisions and bungled rescue attempts. All of which resulted in the loss of 100 lives, 2 submarines, K4 and K17, and damage to 5 other vessels. Those who lost their lives are remembered by the monument erected at Anstruther, in Fife. (k14 scrapped in 1925) (K22 raised and refitted, scrapped in 1926)
The subsequent investigation and court martial were kept quiet, with much of the information not released until the 1990's. Three days later at Rosyth, aboard the battleship HMS Orion, the proceedings began before Rear-Admiral William Edmund Goodenough and Captain Walter Maurice Ellerton. On the 9th of February, the court finished its investigation and submitted its findings to Admiral Beatty, blaming five officers from the K-boats for the collisions. One was later court-martialled and severely reprimanded.
Extracts are with kind permission of Peter A Collinson,
condensed from his book 'The Royal Navy at Port Edgar'-2004.
© Queensferry History Group 2015
condensed from his book 'The Royal Navy at Port Edgar'-2004.
© Queensferry History Group 2015