Captain (S)'s Submarine Report

Page 343
From — The Captain (S), H.M.S. Maidstone

To — The Chief of the War Staff, Admiralty.

Date — 7th. June, 1916.

No. — 0157.

Submitted :

Submarines E.55, E.26 and D.l left Harwich at 7.0 p.m. (G.M.T.) on the 30th May, to spread on a line 270° from Vyl Light Vessel, E.55 4 miles, E.26 12 miles, and D.l 20 miles from it.

2. E.55 sighted Horn's Reef at 0.5 a.m. on the 1st June. At 0.20 a.m., a Zeppelin, flying low, approached and E.55 went to the bottom to the west of Horn's Reef. At 0.45 a.m. a noise was heard as of a sweep passing very close to the Submarine. Between 2.15 and 5.30 a.m., 11 explosions of varying intensity were heard. Nothing was seen throughout the day, except a Destroyer at 8.25 a.m., steering N.W. It turned back to the S.E. before coming into range. On the 2nd, at 1.25 p.m., a German Submarine passed out of range, steering to the Southward. At 6.13 p.m., another Submarine was sighted zigzagging to the S.E., and a Torpedo was fired at her just as she was turning away. There was a loud explosion and an upheaval of water on her Port bow, but the Submarine was able to continue her course to the South. The Torpedo evidently struck the Port forward hydroplane. On the 3rd June, a Submarine was sighted at 7.20 a.m., which dived 2 miles away, and at 3.0 p.m., another, which passed out of range, steering to the South.

3. Submarine E.26 sighted Horn's Reef at 11.35 p.m. on the 31st, and Vyl Light Vessel at 1.0 a.m., going to the bottom on her billet between 2.0 a.m. and 3.0 a.m. Nothing was sighted throughout the 1st June. On the 2nd June, a Submarine, steering South, was sighted at 11.30 a.m., but she passed out of range. At 0.20 a.m. on the 3rd, while charging on the surface, flashing was seen very close and approaching rapidly, and it was answered by five other vessels, which appeared to be Destroyers in line ahead, steering to the S.E. E.26 had just time to make a rapid dive before they passed.

4. Submarine D.l arrived on her station and dived at 4.30a.m.on the 1st June. Nothing was sighted throughout her patrol.

5. All three Submarines left their stations after dark on June 3rd, and returned to Harwich.

A. K. WAISTELL, Captain (S).

(Copy to Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, and Commodore (S)).