Ships hit during WWI

HMS Ghurka

NameHMS Ghurka
TypeDestroyer
GRT880 tons
Country  British
Built1907
BuilderHawthorn, Leslie & Co., Ltd., Newcastle
OperatorRoyal Navy
HistoryGhurka was present at the Coronation Fleet Review for King George V, June 1911 as part of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla.

Ghurka deployed to Dover on 31 July 1914, becoming a member of the 6th D. F. (Dover Patrol). From then on Ghurka’s life was continuous patrols of the Dover Straits interspersed with escorting troop transports across to France interrupted by a period in dry dock after a collision with Cossack on 23 August. After October 1915 there was also escorting monitors to the Belgian coast for bombardment of German positions. On 4 March 1915 Ghurka, Maori and Nubian took part in the sinking of U 8 in the Straits of Dover. Also there was now the added danger of attacks by German destroyers and air attacks especially when off the Belgian coast.

On 8 February 1917 Ghurka was on patrol off Dungeness when she struck a mine laid by UC47 and sank.

U-boat attacks on Destroyer Ghurka


DateU-boatLoss typePositionLocationRouteCargoCasualties
18 Feb 1917UC 47 (Paul Hundius)SunkMined 4 miles SE of Dungeness 50°51’10”N 00°55’20”E
50° 51'N, 0° 55'E


74

The senior survivor, Lt. Commander Francis Lewin was awarded the Stanhope Gold Medal for bravery in helping to rescuing four other survivors.

Position of attack on Ghurka


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