HMS Farnborough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Loderer |
| Builder | John Priestman & Co., Sunderland |
| Launched | 5 December 1903 |
| Fate | Requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1915 and converted to Q-ship |
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | HMS Farnborough |
| Commissioned | 1915 |
| In service | 1915-1919 |
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Q-ship |
| Tonnage | 3,207 GRT |
| Propulsion | steam turbines |
| Speed | 11 knots |
| Armament |
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HMS Farnborough was a special kind of ship called a Q-ship during World War I. She was part of the British Royal Navy. Q-ships looked like regular merchant ships, but they had hidden weapons. Their job was to trick German submarines into coming to the surface. Farnborough was very successful. She sank two enemy submarines during the war. One of them was SM U-68, which was the first time depth charges were successfully used in battle. The second submarine was SM U-83. For sinking U-83, Captain Gordon Campbell of Farnborough received the highest award for bravery, the Victoria Cross. Farnborough was badly damaged in that battle and had to be pulled ashore.
Building a Secret Weapon
Farnborough was originally built in 1904. She was a large ship, weighing 3,207 tons. Her first name was Loderer, and she worked as a collier, carrying coal. She was also known as a tramp steamer because she didn't have a fixed route.
In 1915, the Royal Navy took over Loderer. They changed her into a Q-ship at HMNB Devonport. This meant they added many hidden guns. She got five 12-pounder guns and two 6-pounder guns. She also had a Maxim gun, which is a type of machine gun. The bigger guns were hidden behind special flaps or fake walls. The smaller guns were near the ship's control area, called the bridge. The Maxim gun was in the middle of the ship. After these changes, she was renamed Farnborough.
Battles in World War I
Farnborough played a key role in the war by tricking enemy submarines. Her crew had to be very brave and clever.
Sinking SM U-68
On March 22, 1916, Farnborough met the German submarine SM U-68. This happened off the west coast of Britain. Around 7:00 AM, U-68 fired a torpedo. It just missed the front of Farnborough.
Farnborough kept pretending to be a normal merchant ship. She stayed at the same speed and course. About 20 minutes later, U-68 came to the surface. She was about 1,000 yards behind Farnborough. The submarine then moved closer and fired a warning shot.
Farnborough stopped and let out steam. The crew launched a small boat. This made it look like they were giving up. As U-68 got even closer, to about 800 yards, Farnborough changed. She quickly raised the British White ensign flag. Her hidden guns were uncovered, and she opened fire. Three of her 12-pounder guns hit the submarine many times.
As U-68 started to sink, Captain Campbell steered Farnborough over the submarine's spot. He dropped a depth charge. This explosion blew the front of the submarine out of the water. This was the first time a depth charge was successfully used in battle. U-68 sank with all 38 of her crew. This happened off Dingle in southern Ireland.
After this battle, Farnborough got a new officer, Ronald Niel Stuart. He was very experienced with merchant ships. He helped make the crew well-trained and the ship well-kept. Captain Campbell was very happy with him. For almost 11 months, the ship didn't see any more action. Captain Campbell then decided on a new plan. He thought Farnborough should let herself be torpedoed. Then, when the submarine came closer to finish the job, they would attack.
Sinking SM U-83
On February 17, 1917, Captain Campbell's plan was tested. Farnborough was off Southern Ireland. A torpedo hit her in the cargo area. It caused serious damage to the ship. Some crew members had minor injuries.
The crew was ready for this. The "panic party" quickly got into lifeboats. They made a big show of being scared and confused. Meanwhile, the gun crews got ready at their hidden weapons. Four lifeboats were launched. The ship looked like it was sinking.
Then, the submarine U-83 came very close, just 10 yards away. Farnborough's crew then fired their 6-pounder gun and several machine guns. The first shot hit the German captain, Bruno Hoppe. The submarine was quickly destroyed. Eight German sailors escaped the submarine before it sank. Only two were rescued from the water. One of them later died from his injuries.
Farnborough was also sinking from the torpedo damage. Captain Campbell sent the remaining men into a lifeboat. He destroyed all secret papers. Then he sent a radio message for help. His unusual message said: "Q5 slowly sinking respectfully wishes you goodbye".
This message reached nearby British naval ships. Within an hour, the destroyer Narwhal and the sloop Buttercup arrived. They began to tow the damaged ship back to land. During the night, a depth charge accidentally exploded on Farnborough. The ship broke free from the tow rope.
Captain Campbell ordered the 12 remaining men into a lifeboat. He tried to check the ship one last time. But another depth charge exploded, forcing him back. When he returned to the ship's side, he saw that Stuart had stayed on board. Stuart wanted to make sure his captain got off safely.
The tow rope was reattached later. The damaged Farnborough was pulled ashore at Mill Cove. Captain Campbell received the Victoria Cross for his bravery. The crew shared £1,000 in prize money. Stuart and Engineer-Lieutenant Len Loveless both received the Distinguished Service Order. Most of the crew later served on another Q-ship, Pargust. Stuart earned his own Victoria Cross there.
The British Navy bought Farnborough on October 22, 1917. She was sold for commercial use in April 1919 and renamed Hollypark. She was taken apart for scrap metal in 1928.
