The ship that sunk herself

[English Bob]

Hello, just visiting from the hat department and thought you all might be interested in this?

HMS TRINIDAD

HMS TRINIDAD was a cruiser laid down on 21 April 1938, launched on 21 March 1940 and completed on 14 October 1941. She joined the 1oth Cruiser Squadron, Home Fleet based at Scapa Flow.

In January 1942, she was one of the escorts for the Russian Convoy PQ8 which was attacked by U-boats. HMS MATABELE one of the two escorting destroyers was torpedoed and sunk. SS HARMATRIS was also torpedoed but was able to reach port.

In March 1942 the TRINIDAD was providing close cover for another Arctic Convoy PQ13 with the help of two destroyers from Iceland which had reinforced the close escort. The convoy met with a heavy concentration of U-boats and was also attacked by aircraft and destroyers but of the 19 ships in the convoy, 14 arrived safely. The convoy was located by the enemy on 28 March 1942, east of Bear Island and repeatedly attacked by dive bombers. On the morning of 29th The TRINIDAD and ECLIPSE came in contact with three enemy destroyers north of Murmansk. In brief engagements in very low visibility and freezing temperature and snow, one German destroyer, Z26 was sunk and the others damaged. The TRINIDAD was hit by one of her own torpedoes which ran full circle owing to a defect in the gyro mechanism probably caused by the extreme cold but she reached Kola Inlet under her own steam accompanied by tugs and the two destroyers ECLIPSE and FURY. Both the TRINIDAD and the ECLIPSE were damaged during this encounter.

The TRINIDAD, temporarily repaired at Murmansk and being able to steam at 18 knots, was ready by 9 May 1942 to leave for permanent repair in the United States but her departure was delayed until 13th to allow time for air reconnaissance. She left the Kola Inlet late in the evening wearing the Flag of CS18 escorted by four destroyers. On 14th May, 100 miles out, the TRINIDAD was sighted by bombers and torpedo aircraft simultaneously. Some twenty five bombers and and one torpedo attack failed to damage her, but at 10.45pm a lone JU88 dived out of low cloud and scored a direct hit close to the site of the torpedo damage. This started a serious fire, which spread rapidly; her condition was made more precarious by a near miss blowing a temporary patch off her side and causing flooding. She was still able to steam, but by midnight the fire was out of control and it was decided that, situated as she was, far from a friendly port, in the presence of U-boats and in certain danger of renewed attack from aircraft salvage was impossible. She was sunk by our own torpedoes at 1.20am on 15th May 1942.

HMS TRINIDAD was awarded the Battle Honour for Arctic 1942. My father was the torpedo officer on this ship and he never spoke of it. Can anyone add any more to this amazing story. These are the unsung heroes of WWII. God bless them all

 

[MikeyB17]

Hi Bob, thanks for sharing that story with us. I've read a few books on the subject, and actually been lucky enough to speak to some old sailors who were on the Russian convoys, and what those guys went through must have been absolutely horrendous, especially for the merchant seaman. Imagine sitting on a tanker full of fuel, knowing that if you were sunk you were either going to be burnt to death or if you were lucky frozen to death in the sea! A similar thing to the Trinidad's fate is believed to have happened to a german U-boat discovered in deep water of the US East Coast a few years ago. A team of divers spent several years diving her, attempting to find evidence of her identity-in fact two divers, a father and son, died whilst diving on her. Eventually one man got into the E-motor (electric) room and recovered a toolbox stamped with her number. It appears she was sent to the US coast, but recalled, and never received the recall message, and for years was assumed to have gone down off Gibraltar. It's believed that she also sank herself, a faulty torpedo having run full circle (she was blown in two just forward of the conning tower, and there is no record of a U-boat being attacked in that area). Apparently this was not uncommon with German torpedoes for a time, which often malfunctioned. It's great to hear these stories of the sea, and as a wreck diver myself, I'm sometimes lucky enough to see the wrecks for myself, which can be quite an eerie experience.

 

[superbud]

HMS Matabele

I came across your story whilst researching HMS Matabele. I am at an early stage on this but know it was hit by 1 torpedo from U-Boat U-454 . The U-Boat had three 'hits' that day, January 17th 1942, the Matabele taking the last one at 22.21 Hours. She sunk in around 2 Minutes but I believe many of the sailors did get off only to sucumbe to the freezing sea. Only 2 of the crew survived out of 200. My cousin amongst those lost (hence the research- he died before I was born) was a signaler just 21 years old but with four years in the navy having signed-on before the war at the age of 17. If anyone is interested I will come back with more when I accrue further information.

 

[English Bob]

HMS Matabele

Hi Superbud and welcome
Thanks for adding that to the story and I am sorry to hear your cousin died so young, it must have been horrendous. If the enemy didn't get you then the cruel sea would. My father also joined up before the war, he was a regular and I gather he ran away from home and joined up at 16 but I don't know why. Trouble is that those who would know in my family are long gone. Any more information from your research would be gratefully received.
EBob

 

[mickswa]

hms matabele

hello, i,m new to this site,very interested in info on hms matabele as my uncle was on board (and still is) any news would be most welcome...mickswa

 

[boomerchop]

USS Tang

Circular running torpedoes was not an unusual story for any navy. The USS Tang, SS-306, commanded by Medal of Honor recipient Dick O'Kane, was also sank by the circular run of her last torpedo on her fifth war patrol in 1944. Only eight of the crew survived the sinking to spend the rest of the war in captivity. Even today, we try to be very cognizant of what our weapons are doing. They can still come back at you unexpectedly.
Paul

 

[andycain]

My great uncle was the Wireman on HMS Trinidad.

He must of been killed on the 14th when the ship was attacked by the Junker, as that is the date on his Death Certificate.

His service number was D/MX. 75011

Wireman Douglas Trevor Vaughan

 

[Twitch]

Hey English Bob here's an article i wrote a good while ago about an very interpid British destroyer. Enjoy.

THE DESTROYER THAT COULD

In the early days of the Second World War the Allies in Europe had few bright spots. U-boats skulked about in wolfpacks and the German surface roamed unhindered and the Luftwaffe owned the skies. But a little British destroyer gave cause for hope when she rammed an enemy heavy cruiser though no one would know of her triumph for many years.

His Majesty’s destroyer Glowworm was in the turbulent North Sea separated from the British force heading for the port of Narvik, Norway. Lieutenant-Commander Gerald Roope was searching for a man overboard on April 8, 1940 but he found something else.

NOT QUITE ALONE
The Glowworm was doing eight knots in the heavy, wind swept seas. The search for the overboard crewman had been fruitless. The crew aboard the little 1,300-ton boat was miserable from a night of being pounded and drenched by waves. No hot food was able to be prepared on the lurching boat adding to the dismal atmosphere.

At gray dawn it seemed Glowworm was alone but Roope thought he could see another destroyer at times when the ship was high on a wave crest. He knew he was a full days steaming to the nearest British unit, the cruiser Birmingham. But five miles away he could clearly see the other ship now.

Roope ordered the signal light to challenge the other vessel.

“S-w-e-d-i-s-h,” came the flickering answer.

Roope kept his eyes on the phantom boat as he shouted to his number one, 1st Lt. Robert Ramsay, “I think that destroyer’s a bloody German!”

At that instant his words were punctuated by an orange flash from the unknown ship followed by a crack and train roar sound of a shell passing over the Glowworm. The other destroyer was the Bernt von Arnim.

The radioman was directed to report to the Admiralty that they’d intercepted a German destroyer. It was vital for them to know that enemy vessels were moving along the Norwegian coast.

A second destroyer, Erich Geise, hove into sight now and Roope got ready to fight ringing for full speed as gun crew manned their weapons. He set up Glowworm on a circular course with the Germans who were 10,000 yards away firing steadily. Roppe’s skillful maneuvering kept all four of Glowworm’s 4-inch guns slamming back at the Nazis.

In London the message of the engagement landed on Admiralty First Lord, Winston Churchill’s desk. He reasoned that it meant troops were probably on the move towards Norway also.

THE WORM TURNS
As Glowworm smashed through the thundering seas two men were swept overboard but her defiant guns kept up a steady bark. The gun crews found their mark when a shell impacted the Bernt von Arnim’s deck. Knowing one hit was nothing, Roope gave Ramsy a ragged smile and said, “Let’s see how they like a few more 4-inch hits.”

Just as suddenly as it began the German destroyers broke off and headed north. Roope reasoned that they were not hurt and were probably leading the lone Brit into something heavier. He knew that pair was having as rough a time of it as the Glowworm was in the high seas. Rivets popped, the gyro-compass was unbalanced and the fire control system was shorted out from the pounding waves. Even at full speed he could not close on the Germans though.

Ten minutes later he spotted the trap. The 14,000 ton heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper appeared bearing down on them. Armed with eight 8-inch guns and twelve 4-inch guns, the tiny destroyer was out of her league now.

In quite British understated style Lt.-Cmdr. Roope turned to Bob Ramsay and said, “We’ll inflict all the damage we can before we’re sunk,” sealing the fate of 148 officers and men. Ramsay made of the torpedo tubes.

Roope took Glowworm in a circular course across Hipper’s bow laying down a smoke screen. Ramsay ordered two spreads from the five tubes fired spending all the ships torpedoes. None probably hit.

Geysers not rose all around the Glowworm as the 8-inch naval rifles zeroes in. A hit took out the rangefinder and two more hit the superstructure. Steel distorted and mangled as the shells hit home. All the while Roope coolly moved the Glowworm towards the Hipper. Now Hipper’s 37 mm guns were close enough to fire at them and then heavy machines guns. The Captain unnervingly gave calm orders to helmsmen and gunners as the boat wended her way onward.

Glowworm’s decks were littered with bodies amongst twisted metal. Two sailors with legs blow off were seen to purposely roll them selves off the deck into the freezing water. A shell hit the destroyer’s mast and crossed her siren wires continuously sounding them like a banshee’s battle cry.

GLOW LITTLE GLOWWORM!
The Hipper’s Captain realized too late Roope’s intention to ram. With a screeching metallic protest Glowworm crashed Hipper amidships. Plates were torn out and the Cruiser’s torpedo tubes were mangled.

The crippled and blazing little destroyer pulled herself free and moved off firing a final defiant shot from her one remaining 4-incher at 400 yards. The projectile hit the cruiser’s control tower and the British crew raised a final cheer.

Hipper’s turrets depressed and began the methodical dissection of Glowworm. A shell hit the wheelhouse and another passed through the aft hull. The radio room was hit next and the ship was heeling to starboard. Through all this carnage Roope stood unscathed. Ramsay made his way to the bridge as the firing ceased. The German Captain knew the boat was finished. All that could be heard now was the pounding waves and the groaning of the wounded as Roope gave the command, “Abandon ship!”

He ordered Ramsay to have the remaining crew assemble any floating materials for his men to hang onto once in the water. Chief Artificer Gregg emerged to the deck announcing that all Glowworm’s steam had bee let off to avoid an explosion once the boiler went under.

SOME SURVIVED
The vessel heeled and twisted over. Some were thrown clear and others walked up her side to the broached keel. Many were trapped in the distorted remains of the proud ship. But her depth charges had not been set on safe and when she plunged to the floor of the sea they exploded at their pre-set depths killing all who were in the area. Fuel oil covered the water as survivors struggled to stay afloat.

Boats went out from Hipper to assist her valiant foe’s crew. Net came down the cruiser’s side to help in the rescue. Thirty-two men, including Bob Ramsay, were rescued. Lt. Cmdr. Roope was seen to fall back into the sea from exhaustion climbing those nets. He was never seen again.

Once Ramsay was presentable he spoke with the German Captain who was full of praise for the Glowworm and her daring crew. His eyebrows went up when he was handed the damage report, however.

“See what you did with your little tin can, Lt. Ramsay? You’ve wrecked our fresh water system. Our starboard torpedo tubes are out of action. Two compartments are flooded from a hole forty meters long. We have to go back to Germany for repairs,” reported the skipper.

The Glowworm’s crew was put ashore in Trondheim, Norway that night. The Admiral Hipper went home for repairs at the height of the Norwegian campaign. Hipper would be instrumental in the 1942 Battle of the Barrents Sea.

For five long years after the last message that Glowworm was engaging the Hipper the full story was told by the returning crew, 117 of which were lost. Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Roope was actually, in belated retrospect, the first British Naval officer to receive the Victoria Cross in WW II.

THE SHIPS
The fates of the German combat vessels were that the Z.11 Bernt von Arnim and Z.12 Erich Geise were both scuttled to avoid capture in Norway on April 13, 1940. Z.11 was in Rombaksfjord and Z.12 was at Ofotfjord. Admiral Hipper lasted until the end and was scuttled at Heikendorfer Bight on May 3, 1945 and scrapped in 1946.

Zerst??rers, destroyers Z.11 and Z.12 were both built by Germania Werft in Keil. The Z.11 was launched July 8,1936 and Z.12 on March 12, 1937. Both displaced 2,270 tons and were 380 ft. in overall length with 37-foot beams. Six Benson boilers at 1,616 lbs. pressure drove Wagner turbines with 70,000 SHP to screws good for 38-knots. 752 tons of oil fuel gave a range of 4,400 miles at 19 knots. Original armament was five 5-inch, four dual 37 mm AA guns, eight 21-inch torpedoes and 60 mines. The crew compliment was 315 officers and men.

The Admiral Hipper was built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg and launched on February 6, 1937. She displaced 13,900 tons and was 675 ft. long with a 70 ft. beam. Twelve Lamont boilers of 1,175 lbs. pressure drover three Blohm & Voss turbines connected to as many prop shafts making 132,000 SHP giving a maximum speed of 32.5-knots. With -4,250 tons of fuel in her bunkers she could go 6,800 miles at 19-knots.

The main belt of armor was 3.5 inches thick and the decks were covered with plate from 1.25- 2.5 inches thick. Main turrets had 6.5 inches of armor. Eight 8-inch guns mounted two per turret, two fore –two aft. Twelve 4.1 inch pairs were housed in six turrets. Twelve dual 37 mm AA and four 20 mm AA guns were installed. (Added on were 35- 20 mm cannon) Twelve 21-inch torpedoes were carried for the four tubes- two per side. Three Ar 196 floatplanes were hangared for the one catapult. 1,600 officers and men crewed her.

H.92 Glowworm, a “Grenville G Class” destroyer, was built by Thornycroft and launched Jul 22, 1935. She was 323 ft. long with a beam of 32.25 ft. She displaced 1,340 tons. Three Admiralty 3-drum boilers turned two Parsons turbines that made 34,000 SHP to the two props that gave a maximum speed of 35.5-knots. Oil bunker held 455 tons and range was 6200 miles at 15 knots. Original armament consisted of four 4.7-inch turrets, 6- 20 mm AA and four pairs of .50 caliber AA guns. Glowworm had 10- 21-inch torpedoes for five tubes where others in the class had eight torps for four tubes. Two depth charge racks and a Hedgehog launcher rounded out the weapons. 148 officers and men were the compliment.

http://www.warships1.com/British_destroyers.htm For more on British destroyers

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Constable, Trevor, J.
Stand By To Ram!
Conquest Magazine December 1961

Davies, J.B.
Great Campaigns Of WWII
Phoebus Publishing Co., London 1980

Lenton, H.T.
German Surface Vessels 1
Doubleday & Co. Inc. NY 1966

 

[manton]

Didn't this aslo happen at the end of Hunt for Red October?

 

[Diamondback]

Yes, but that torpedo was lured to its launcher in a fit of Hollywood impossibility.

Twitch, very nice write-up! May I use your article as the basis for a naval-miniatures scenario?

 

[Twitch]

Anyone can use any of my text in anyway they choose. Just have fun!

 

[Hondo]

Interesting post, Good to see you around MikeyB17, Thanks everyone

 

[arscott69]

Info on Crew of Matabele

I recently came across this site and your comments, my grandfather was cheif stoker on the Matabele & went down with her. I have some info on her but i suppose no more than anyone else, i was hoping to find out who the surviving crew men were though! The first reports i found said that she went down with all hands, but further web sites have said 2 survivers. Anyone have any ideas? perhaps there is info someone would like to share on family members to build up a picture of the crew?

I came across your story whilst researching HMS Matabele. I am at an early stage on this but know it was hit by 1 torpedo from U-Boat U-454 . The U-Boat had three 'hits' that day, January 17th 1942, the Matabele taking the last one at 22.21 Hours. She sunk in around 2 Minutes but I believe many of the sailors did get off only to sucumbe to the freezing sea. Only 2 of the crew survived out of 200. My cousin amongst those lost (hence the research- he died before I was born) was a signaler just 21 years old but with four years in the navy having signed-on before the war at the age of 17. If anyone is interested I will come back with more when I accrue further information.

 

[Warden]

One of my Great Uncles was on the artic convoys. All he would say was "it was the worse period of his life".

I really have know idea what he did, or what happened to make him say that. During his war service as he was sunk twice due to enemy action in the Med. Really makes you think the Artic Convoys must of been hell.

Harry

 

[The Lonely Navigator]

This was an interesting thread. And I first thought of the US submarines that were hit by their own torpedoes as well - and someone did mention that here.

Speaking of the convoys - through my friend Michele whom I've attended events with, I met her 'family friend' who had served on one of the Liberty Ships. I can't remember the name she told me, but he said about the U-Boat crews: "Those guys had it so hard."

I was curious what he'd say about the U-Boat crews...

Prien

 

[Warden]

Speaking of the convoys - through my friend Michele whom I've attended events with, I met her 'family friend' who had served on one of the Liberty Ships. I can't remember the name she told me, but he said about the U-Boat crews: "Those guys had it so hard."

I guess it is like in the 1950s film trailer "The Cruel Sea", when it says "the only real enemy is the sea".

You just have to see the film "Das Boot" to see what an awful life being in a U boat is for the crew.

Harry

 

[Chas]

It is a strongly held belief that Gunther Prien, "The Bull of Scapa Flow" was sunk by his own torpedoes. An intensive study of the logs of various ships and u-boats during that particular battle showed that HMS Bulldog (originally credited with killing U-47) actually was attacking the German U-Boat "U A".

A torpedo malfunction may have also killed USS Scorpion in 1968.

 

[Warden]

Thought this might be of interest to this thread.

Veterans of the World War II Arctic convoys are gathering near a loch in the Highlands from where ships made treacherous trips to Russia.

See BBC news report

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7659688.stm