HMS Royal Oak facts for kids

HMS Royal Oak was a large British battleship, a powerful warship built to fight at sea. It was launched in 1916, right in the middle of World War I. The ship even took part in a huge naval battle that same year, called the Battle of Jutland.

Years later, at the start of World War II in 1939, something very sad happened to HMS Royal Oak. On October 14, 1939, a German submarine named U-47 attacked it. The Royal Oak was docked safely in Scapa Flow, a sheltered bay in the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland.

The attack was a big shock. The Royal Oak sank quickly, and 835 people on board lost their lives. This included the ship's leader, admiral Sir Henry Blagrove. Many of those who died were young boys, some even younger than 16, who were serving in the Navy.

What Was HMS Royal Oak?

HMS Royal Oak was a battleship, a type of warship designed to be very strong and carry many large guns. It was part of the British Royal Navy. The ship was built in a place called Devonport Dockyard in England and was finished in 1916.

Built for Battle

Soon after it was built, HMS Royal Oak joined the British fleet. It fought in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. This was one of the biggest naval battles in history, fought between the British and German navies during World War I. The Royal Oak survived this huge battle.

After World War I, the Royal Oak continued to serve the Royal Navy. It traveled to different parts of the world and was an important part of Britain's naval power.

A Tragic Night in Scapa Flow

When World War II began in September 1939, HMS Royal Oak was stationed in Scapa Flow. This was a very important naval base for the British in Orkney, Scotland. It was thought to be a safe place for ships.

However, on the night of October 14, 1939, a German submarine, the U-47, managed to sneak into Scapa Flow. Its commander, Günther Prien, launched torpedoes at the Royal Oak. The ship was hit multiple times and sank very quickly.

The Loss of Life

The sinking of HMS Royal Oak was a terrible tragedy. Because the ship sank so fast, many of the crew were trapped below deck or couldn't escape. A total of 835 people died. This included many young sailors, some of whom were still teenagers. The loss of so many young lives was especially heartbreaking for Britain.

Remembering the Crew

The sinking of HMS Royal Oak had a big impact on both sides of the war. In Germany, the submarine commander, Günther Prien, was seen as a hero. He was even given a special medal by Adolf Hitler, who was the leader of Germany at the time.

In Britain, the sinking was a sad event, but it also made the country act quickly. The British immediately started building strong barriers, called sea walls, to protect Scapa Flow from any future attacks. This showed how determined they were to keep their naval bases safe.

Today, the wreck of HMS Royal Oak lies upside down in Scapa Flow. It is a protected war grave, meaning it's a special place where the people who died are remembered. Every year, divers from the Royal Navy visit the wreck. They place a special flag on the ship's stern (the back of the ship) to honor the memory of all those who were lost. It's a way to make sure that the brave crew of HMS Royal Oak are never forgotten.