Ships hit during WWI

HMS Hampshire

NameHMS Hampshire
TypeArmored cruiser
GRT10,850 tons (one of the largest ships hit)
Country  British
Built1903
BuilderArmstrong, Elswick
OperatorRoyal Navy
HistoryHampshire commissioned into the 1st Cruiser Squadron, Channel Fleet in August 1905 until December 1908. She refitted at Portsmouth and recommissioned into the 3rd C. S. of the Home Fleet in September 1908. She was present at the Coronation Fleet Review for King George V in June 1911. Later that year she transferred to the 6th C. S. Mediterranean Fleet and later the China Fleet. At the outbreak of war Hampshire was at Wei-hei-Wei. She took part in patrols in the South China Sea, searching for Emden and later Königsberg. On one of these patrols the German collier Elsbeth was sunk on 11 August. These patrols were based on Hong Kong in August, Singapore in September and Colombo in October. In November she joined the escort of the first Australian troop convoy, escorting it as far as Alexandria. December 1914 was spent in the Mediterranean and Hampshire returned to Devonport in January 1915. From there she joined the 6th C. S., Grand Fleet. Hampshire took part in North Sea patrols based on Cromarty or Scapa Flow and in November - December 1915 undertook a voyage to Alexanddrovisk in northern Russia. She was present at the Battle of Jutland and sank whilst taking Lord Kitchener to Russia in June 1916.

U-boat attacks on Armored cruiser Hampshire


DateU-boatLoss typePositionLocationRouteCargoCasualties
15 Jun 1916U 75 (Curt Beitzen)SunkMined W coast of the Orkney Islands
59° 07'N, 3° 24'W


737

Sank on a mine while en route to Russia with Lord Kitchener on board. The loss of life was extremely heavy as the warship sank in a heavy gale.

Position of attack on Hampshire


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