Action of 15 August 1917 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action of 15 August 1917
Part of World War I
Date 15 August 1917 Location off Humber estuary, North Sea 52°57′00″N 2°25′00″E / 52.950000°N 2.416670°E / 52.950000; 2.416670 Result Two British ships sunk
Belligerents
Royal Navy	Imperial German Navy
Commanders and leaders
Thomas Crisp  † William “Johnsey” Manning (MIA)	(possibly Kpt. Karsten von Heydebreck)
Strength
2 armed smacks	1 U-boat (possibly SM UC-63)
Casualties and losses
1 killed, 7 missing 2 ships sunk	unknown

The Action of 15 August 1917 was a sea battle that happened during World War I. It took place in the North Sea. This fight was between a German U-boat (a type of submarine). It was likely SM UC-63. The U-boat fought against two British fishing boats. These boats were called Nelson and Ethel & Millie.

Why This Battle Happened

U-boat Attacks on Fishing Boats

During World War I, Germany used U-boats to attack ships. This was part of their "unrestricted submarine warfare" plan. It meant they would sink any ship, even fishing boats. Before this, fishing boats were usually safe. But now, they were being targeted in the North Sea.

Fishermen Get Weapons

Fishermen asked for ways to protect themselves. So, some fishing boats were given guns. These boats also had gunners to use the weapons. The captains of these boats were often part of the Royal Navy Reserve. This meant they were trained sailors. However, they still went fishing. They were expected to defend themselves if attacked. They did not usually get direct orders from the main Royal Navy.

The Battle of August 15, 1917

Thomas Crisp, a brave captain.

Fishing in the North Sea

On August 15, 1917, several fishing boats were out at sea. They were from Lowestoft, a town in England. They were fishing in an area called the Jim Howe bank. Among them were two armed fishing boats. These were the Nelson and the Ethel & Millie.

Nelson Under Attack

The Nelson was captained by Thomas Crisp. It had a small 3-pounder gun. The Ethel & Millie was captained by William “Johnsey” Manning. It carried a slightly bigger 6-pounder gun. Around 2:45 PM, the Nelson suddenly came under fire. A U-boat had appeared on the surface. It was about 3 to 4 miles away.

Captain Crisp quickly cut his fishing nets loose. He left them floating in the water. Then, he turned the Nelson towards the U-boat. He wanted to get closer to fight back. The Nelson was hit many times by the U-boat's shells. The Nelson fired its gun, but the shots did not reach the U-boat.

Captain Crisp's Bravery

During the fight, Captain Crisp was hit. He was badly wounded by a U-boat shell. The Nelson began to fill with water and sink. Captain Crisp bravely told his crew to leave the ship. They got into a lifeboat to escape.

Ethel & Millie Joins the Fight

While this was happening, the Ethel & Millie came closer. It sailed past the sinking Nelson and its lifeboat. Captain Manning wanted to pick up the survivors. But they told him to keep going. He was not yet close enough to the U-boat to fight.

The Ethel & Millie kept moving towards the U-boat. But it also came under attack. After being hit several times, the Ethel & Millie also began to sink. Its crew had to abandon their ship too.

After the Sinking

The crew from the Nelson watched from their lifeboat. They saw men being taken from the Ethel & Millies boat. They were lined up on the U-boat's deck. But then, a haze made it hard to see clearly. The Nelsons lifeboat rowed away to the southwest. They managed to escape as dusk arrived.

What Happened Next

Rescue and Recognition

The crew of the Nelson were at sea for two days. Finally, a British minesweeper called HMS Dryad rescued them. This ship was protecting fishing boats. Captain Crisp's brave actions were reported. He was later given the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery in the British military. He received it for his "seamanlike and brave manner" during the battle.

The Missing Crew

Sadly, the crew of the Ethel & Millie were never seen again. They were not listed as prisoners of war. None of them returned to Britain after the war ended. People believed then, and still do, that the U-boat crew did not let them survive. They might have been left to drown when the U-boat went underwater. The U-boat that attacked the two boats was identified. It was UC-63, commanded by Karsten von Heydebreck.