U-18: Snuck Into Scapa Flow and Was Sunk in 1914

From Wikipedia.

The April 2017 VFW magazine had this ship attacking the American town of Orleans, Massachusetts, and the tug Perth Amboy on July 21, 1918, but it didn't as it was sunk in 1914.

Most likely the German submarine firing at these was the U-156 and I have written about it in the past month.

The U-18 was one of 328 submarines in the German Navy during World War I and participated in the First Battle of the Atlantic. It was 205 feet long and had a crew of 4 officers and and 25 men.

It was launched in October 1914 and on its third patrol 23 November, was able to to penetrate the British fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow by following a steamer through the boom.  However, the fleet was not there. That could have been a disaster for Britain.

On its way back out, its periscope was spotted and the periscope was rammed, rendering it unservicable.  Then, the luckless submarine had its diving plane motor break and the ship  became unable to maintain its depth.

The U-18 was rammed a second time by the British destroyer HMS Garry and it was forced to surface.  The crew scuttled the submarine and all were taken prisoner except one man who died.

Talk About Your Bad Luck.  --Cooter

Battle of Jutland May 31-June 1, 1916: Battle of the Battleships

Today marks the conclusion of one of the last major clashes between battleships, the Battle of Jutland, between the German and British fleets.off Denmark.

The British had 151 combat ships, including 28 battleships and 9 battle cruisers fought the Germans who had 99 combat ships, including 16 battleships and 5 battle cruisers.  British losses included 3 battle cruisers and 6.094 killed and 624 wounded.  German losses were one battle cruiser and 2,551 killed.

--DaCoot

The Battle of Cape Santa Maria, 1804-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Yetsreday, I wrote about the Spanish ship Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes sinking with all that gold and silver and the legal battle between the company that found the ship and Spain. It was sunk in the Battle of Cape Santa Maria which I had never heard of, so had to check it out.

The battle, also called the Battle of Cape St. Mary, took place on October 5, 1804, off the coast of Portugal when a British squadron of ships attacked a Spanish one during a time of peace.

A secret treaty had been signed between France and Spain calling for Spain to declare war on Britain at a future date. Until that happened, Spain was to make payments to France and the four Spanish ships were carrying that payment. But Britain found out about the secret treaty and decided to intercept the payment.

Ahh, the Intrigue. Sounds Like Diplomacy. --Cooter

World's Most Expensive Union Jack

October 29, 2009.

It flew at the Battle of Trafalgar and sold for a record-breaking 384,000 pounds, nearly 40 times the auction house's estimate. It is the only surviving Union Jack from the battle. Its 32 bunting panels are littered with holes and even after 200 years, still smells like gunsmoke.

It flew from the HMS Spartrate, the last ship in line behind the HMS Victory. It was originally a French ship captured in 1795 at the Battle of the Nile.

After he Battle of Trafalgar, the crew presented it to Lt. James Clephan for his outstanding performance. The eleven-by-seven foot flag was kept by his family after that, but they have decided to emigrate to Australia and decided to sell it (this should pay for the move). Plus, considering the importance of the battle, it belongs in Britain.

James Clephan, from Fife, Scitland, who was pressed into the British Navy in 1794 at the age of 26. He became a midshipman in 1801 and made a lieutenant after the capture of the French ship Chevrette and a first Lt. after Trafalgar. He was just one of sixteen press-ganged sailors to rise through the ranks of the British Navy.

Here's hoping whoever bought it will allow it to be on public display. Nothing connects with history like an old piece of cloth.

Quite an Interesting Story. --DaCoot

The actual bid was 320,000 pounds, but there was a 20% buyer's premium.