HMS E6 facts for kids
HMS E6
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS E6 |
| Builder | Vickers, Barrow |
| Cost | £106,900 |
| Laid down | 12 November 1911 |
| Launched | 12 November 1912 |
| Commissioned | 17 October 1913 |
| Fate | Sunk by mine, 26 December 1915 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | E-class submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length | 178 ft (54 m) |
| Beam | 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range |
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| Complement | 31 |
| Armament | 4 × 18-inch (457 mm) torpedo tubes (1 bow, 2 beam, 1 stern) |
HMS E6 was a British E-class submarine, a type of underwater ship, built by Vickers in Barrow-in-Furness. Construction started on November 12, 1911, and she officially joined the navy on October 17, 1913. Building her cost about £106,900.
Contents
Submarine Design and Features
The early E-class submarines, like E6, were designed to travel both on the surface and underwater. When on the surface, they weighed about 652 tons. Underwater, they weighed around 795 tons.
These submarines were about 180 feet (55 meters) long and 22 feet (6.9 meters) wide. They used two powerful diesel engines for surface travel and two electric motors for moving underwater.
- On the surface, they could reach speeds of up to 16 knots (about 18 miles per hour).
- Underwater, their top speed was 10 knots (about 11.5 miles per hour).
They could travel about 3,225 miles (5,190 km) on the surface at a steady speed. When submerged, they could go about 85 miles (137 km).
Weapons and Equipment
The E-class submarines were armed with four 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes. These tubes were used to fire torpedoes, which are underwater missiles.
- One torpedo tube was at the front (bow).
- Two were on the sides (amidships).
- One was at the back (stern).
They carried a total of eight torpedoes. Some of these submarines later had anti-aircraft guns added to help defend against airships.
These submarines also had wireless radio systems to communicate. Their design allowed them to dive to a depth of 100 feet (30 meters), though some could go even deeper.
Life Aboard the Submarine
The crew of HMS E6 included three officers and 28 other sailors. This small team worked together in the tight spaces of the submarine.
Service in World War I
When World War I began on August 5, 1914, HMS E6 was stationed at Harwich, England. She was part of the 8th Submarine Flotilla, a group of submarines working together.
Early Patrols and Missions
On the first day of the war, E6 was towed by another ship, HMS Amethyst, to a place called Terschelling. From there, E6 and another submarine, E8, carried out the very first patrol of the Heligoland Bight, an important area in the North Sea.
Later that month, E6 joined seven other submarines in a special mission. Their job was to act as "bait" to draw out German destroyer ships. The plan was for British destroyers and cruisers to then surprise and attack the German ships. During this mission, British cruisers accidentally mistook E6 for a German submarine and tried to ram her!
In September 1914, while on patrol, E6 had a close call. She got tangled with a mine, which is an explosive device in the water. Luckily, her crew managed to free the submarine and escape safely.
Attacks and Encounters
In April 1915, E6 spotted a German submarine but couldn't get into a good position to attack. The next day, she fired a torpedo at a German torpedo boat, but it missed.
In May 1915, E6 was sent out to sea when the German High Seas Fleet, their main battle fleet, was spotted. E6 found the German fleet and fired a torpedo at a large German warship called SMS Moltke. However, the torpedo missed because E6s captain misjudged the Moltkes speed. German torpedo boats then forced E6 to dive, preventing another attack.
Anti-Airship Patrols
In September 1915, E6 and E8 were fitted with anti-aircraft guns. They went on patrols to try and shoot down German airships called Zeppelins. On September 4, E6 saw the airship L9 and fired at it, but didn't hit it. An airplane then forced E6 to dive.
In October, E6 fired many shots at another Zeppelin, L7, but again, the airship was not damaged.
Final Mission
On October 24, 1915, E6 spotted the German High Seas Fleet again. She launched two attacks on German light cruisers. Both attacks were unsuccessful, but E6's crew thought they heard explosions after the second attack on the cruiser SMS Rostock.
Sadly, HMS E6 was lost on December 26, 1915. She hit a mine in the North Sea, near Harwich. A fishing boat had been sunk by a mine in the same spot just before, and a British torpedo boat had warned E6 to avoid the area. However, E6 did not heed the warning and was sunk, with all crew members lost.
