HMS King Edward VII
HMS King Edward VII. 06/01/1916
Displacement: 16350 grt.
Length: 1. Beam: 2m. Draught: 7.m.
Propulsion: 2 x 4 cyl. triple expansion engines, 23 Yarrow boilers, dual shaft, 2 screws
Complement: officers and men.
Lost: 0
Armament: 4 × 12"guns, in two twin turrets, 4 × 9.2"Mark X guns in four single turrets, 10 × 6" Mk VII guns, 5 × 18" torpedo tubes, (4 broadside, 1 stern), 14 × 12 pdr guns, 14 × 3 pdr. guns,
Displacement: 16350 grt.
Length: 1. Beam: 2m. Draught: 7.m.
Propulsion: 2 x 4 cyl. triple expansion engines, 23 Yarrow boilers, dual shaft, 2 screws
Complement: officers and men.
Lost: 0
Armament: 4 × 12"guns, in two twin turrets, 4 × 9.2"Mark X guns in four single turrets, 10 × 6" Mk VII guns, 5 × 18" torpedo tubes, (4 broadside, 1 stern), 14 × 12 pdr guns, 14 × 3 pdr. guns,
Built by Devonport Naval Dockyard - Plymouth Dockyard, Plymouthand launched in 1903.
Nottingham Evening Post - Saturday 22 February 1902
KING EDWARD VIl. The Devonport Dockyard officials yesterday received plans for the battleship King Edward VII, to be built on the slip from which the battleship Queen to be launched by Queen Alexandra on March 7th. The dimensions of the new vessel will be length 425 feet, breadth 78 feet, and mean load draught 26 feet 9 inches. Her engines are to be of 18,000 indicated horse power and a speed of 18 1/2 knots is to be contracted for. The chief armament will be four 12-inch 50-ton wire wound breech loading guns, in two barbettes.
KING EDWARD VIl. The Devonport Dockyard officials yesterday received plans for the battleship King Edward VII, to be built on the slip from which the battleship Queen to be launched by Queen Alexandra on March 7th. The dimensions of the new vessel will be length 425 feet, breadth 78 feet, and mean load draught 26 feet 9 inches. Her engines are to be of 18,000 indicated horse power and a speed of 18 1/2 knots is to be contracted for. The chief armament will be four 12-inch 50-ton wire wound breech loading guns, in two barbettes.
Portsmouth Evening News - Thursday 23 July 1903
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII.
LAUNCHED ROYALTY AT DEYONPORT.
To-day the Princess Wales assisted at the' launching at Devonport of the steel twinscrew first-class barbette battleship King Edward VII., one of five battleships designed by Sir W. H. White, formerly Assistant Controller the Navy and Director of Naval Construction. Two of these. King Edward VII. and New Zealand, are being constructed the Royal Dockyards, while the Dominion, Commonwealth, and Hindustan are being built by private contract. The chief specifications are: Length between perpendiculars, 425 feet; extreme breadth, 7S feet; load displacement, 15,000 tons; indicated horse-power 13,000; speed, with full power, per hour, knots. The engines, by Messrs. Harland and Wolff, Belfast, consist of two independent sets of vertical triple expansion, each having four cylinders, set being capable of developing 9,000 horse-power with revolutions per minute. There are fourteen separate water tube bailers of the Babcock and type, and six separate cylindrical boilers, each capable being used independently of the others. The armament consists of four 12-inch B.L. guns, worked two barbettes, four 9.2-incii B.L guns, worked four barbettes, 10 6-in.Q.F. guns, worked battery, twelve 13-pounder Q.F. guns, two 13-pounder 8-cwt. Q.F. Maxim guns, and four submerged tornedo tubes.
The total complement officers and men will be 777. The first keel plate of this ship—which bears suitable inscription—was laid on the 8th March, 1902, by his Majesty King Edward VII., after her Majesty Queen Alexandra had most successfully launched H.M.S. Queen. This was record event in the annals of shipbuilding, as within space of about five minutes one battleship was launched and another laid down on slip and blocks that did duty for her predecessor. She has been under construction just 161- months, and is thus very advanced stage for launching, about 6,100 tons of material having been worked into the construction of the ship, including 675 tons of armour.
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII.
LAUNCHED ROYALTY AT DEYONPORT.
To-day the Princess Wales assisted at the' launching at Devonport of the steel twinscrew first-class barbette battleship King Edward VII., one of five battleships designed by Sir W. H. White, formerly Assistant Controller the Navy and Director of Naval Construction. Two of these. King Edward VII. and New Zealand, are being constructed the Royal Dockyards, while the Dominion, Commonwealth, and Hindustan are being built by private contract. The chief specifications are: Length between perpendiculars, 425 feet; extreme breadth, 7S feet; load displacement, 15,000 tons; indicated horse-power 13,000; speed, with full power, per hour, knots. The engines, by Messrs. Harland and Wolff, Belfast, consist of two independent sets of vertical triple expansion, each having four cylinders, set being capable of developing 9,000 horse-power with revolutions per minute. There are fourteen separate water tube bailers of the Babcock and type, and six separate cylindrical boilers, each capable being used independently of the others. The armament consists of four 12-inch B.L. guns, worked two barbettes, four 9.2-incii B.L guns, worked four barbettes, 10 6-in.Q.F. guns, worked battery, twelve 13-pounder Q.F. guns, two 13-pounder 8-cwt. Q.F. Maxim guns, and four submerged tornedo tubes.
The total complement officers and men will be 777. The first keel plate of this ship—which bears suitable inscription—was laid on the 8th March, 1902, by his Majesty King Edward VII., after her Majesty Queen Alexandra had most successfully launched H.M.S. Queen. This was record event in the annals of shipbuilding, as within space of about five minutes one battleship was launched and another laid down on slip and blocks that did duty for her predecessor. She has been under construction just 161- months, and is thus very advanced stage for launching, about 6,100 tons of material having been worked into the construction of the ship, including 675 tons of armour.
History
Daily Express - Saturday 12 November 1904
OVERGUNNED SHIPS. ALARM}NG INCIDENT ON H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII
The gun trials of the new battleship King Edward VII., which were carried out on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, were not entirely satisfactory, as stated in several contemporaries yesterday. On the contrary, the Express” understands that they confirmed the opinion ‘which has been steadily growing in naval circles that there is a tendency to overgun our latest battleships, and the trial may exercise an important modifying influence upon naval design, The practices were carried out under the supervision of Captain Percy Scott and Commander V. B. Molteno, of the Excellent School of Gunnery.
The main barbette guns were fired with satisfactory results, but when the aftermost. 9.2 in. guns were discharged the quarter-deck buckled to the extent of some three inches, and the interiors of the cabins immediately beneath the casemates were completely wrecked. Commander Molteno was so severely stunned by the effects of the concussion that for upwards of a quarter of an hour he remained speechless and helpless. It is quite certain the King Edward VII. would not be able to fight her after 9.2 in. guns in action.
OVERGUNNED SHIPS. ALARM}NG INCIDENT ON H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII
The gun trials of the new battleship King Edward VII., which were carried out on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, were not entirely satisfactory, as stated in several contemporaries yesterday. On the contrary, the Express” understands that they confirmed the opinion ‘which has been steadily growing in naval circles that there is a tendency to overgun our latest battleships, and the trial may exercise an important modifying influence upon naval design, The practices were carried out under the supervision of Captain Percy Scott and Commander V. B. Molteno, of the Excellent School of Gunnery.
The main barbette guns were fired with satisfactory results, but when the aftermost. 9.2 in. guns were discharged the quarter-deck buckled to the extent of some three inches, and the interiors of the cabins immediately beneath the casemates were completely wrecked. Commander Molteno was so severely stunned by the effects of the concussion that for upwards of a quarter of an hour he remained speechless and helpless. It is quite certain the King Edward VII. would not be able to fight her after 9.2 in. guns in action.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Tuesday 28 November 1905
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII Gibraltar, November 27. The rumour that the battleship King Edward VII. had sunk is groundless.— Reuter.
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII Gibraltar, November 27. The rumour that the battleship King Edward VII. had sunk is groundless.— Reuter.
Guernsey Evening Press and Star - Saturday 22 June 1907
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII. DEFAULTING ADMIRALTY CONTRACTORS. The Committee of Public Accounts in a report, issued to-day, state that twelve months after the rudder casting had been built into the battleship King Edward VII, the Admiralty were informed by a dismissed employee of the contractors, the Ayrshire Foundry Co., that one Sunday the management collected some of the hands and by means of an electric welding concealed a large fault in the casting. An examination of the story showed prima facie evidence that such a defect did exist. The firm denied there was anything wrong. The Committee, continuing, says on the evidence before them they do not understand why some attempt was not made to bring these persons for trial. The Ayrshire Foundry Co. afterwards became bankrupt. The report further states that the committee hope it will not again be their duty to investigate a case where a British firm for any commercial advantage will callously hazard the lives of their fellow countrymen.
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII. DEFAULTING ADMIRALTY CONTRACTORS. The Committee of Public Accounts in a report, issued to-day, state that twelve months after the rudder casting had been built into the battleship King Edward VII, the Admiralty were informed by a dismissed employee of the contractors, the Ayrshire Foundry Co., that one Sunday the management collected some of the hands and by means of an electric welding concealed a large fault in the casting. An examination of the story showed prima facie evidence that such a defect did exist. The firm denied there was anything wrong. The Committee, continuing, says on the evidence before them they do not understand why some attempt was not made to bring these persons for trial. The Ayrshire Foundry Co. afterwards became bankrupt. The report further states that the committee hope it will not again be their duty to investigate a case where a British firm for any commercial advantage will callously hazard the lives of their fellow countrymen.
The Graphic - Saturday 28 May 1910
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII MOURNING H.M. KING EDWARD THE GREAT BATTLESHIP FIRING MINUTE GUNS AT SPITHEAD ON THE FUNERAL DAY DRAWN BY W. L. WYLLIE, R,A.
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII MOURNING H.M. KING EDWARD THE GREAT BATTLESHIP FIRING MINUTE GUNS AT SPITHEAD ON THE FUNERAL DAY DRAWN BY W. L. WYLLIE, R,A.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hampshire Telegraph - Friday 30 December 1910
H.M.S. KING EDWARD VII. On Tuesday the battleship King Edward VII. was placed in No. 14 dock at Portsmouth. She is to undergo an extensive refit at the hands of the Dockyard authorities.
The Loss
On the 6th of January H.M.S King Edward VII was patrolling off Cape Wrath in heavy weather when there was an explosion under the starboard engine room. It was thought this was caused by a torpedo and a number of destroyers were dispatched from Scapa Flow to offer the Battleship some protection from the U boat.
The explosion had in fact been from a mine that had been laid by the German auxiliary raider Moewe in a large minefield that became known as the Whitten Head minefield.
H.M.S. King Edward VII took on a list and H.M.S Kempenfelt made an attempt to tow the stricken vessel but this was abandoned after about five hours due to heavy seas.
All the crew were taken off the battleship by the destroyers H.M.S Musketeer, H.M.S Marne, H.M.S Fortune and H.M.S Nessus .
Four hours later H.M.S. King Edward VII rolled over and sank 7.5 NM NE of Strathy Point.
The explosion had in fact been from a mine that had been laid by the German auxiliary raider Moewe in a large minefield that became known as the Whitten Head minefield.
H.M.S. King Edward VII took on a list and H.M.S Kempenfelt made an attempt to tow the stricken vessel but this was abandoned after about five hours due to heavy seas.
All the crew were taken off the battleship by the destroyers H.M.S Musketeer, H.M.S Marne, H.M.S Fortune and H.M.S Nessus .
Four hours later H.M.S. King Edward VII rolled over and sank 7.5 NM NE of Strathy Point.
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser - Thursday 13 January 1916
BATTLESHIP SUNK. BLOWN UP BY MINE ; ENTIRE CREW SAVED. One of the greatest losses the Navy has sustained was announced by the Admiralty last night. H.M.S. King Edward VII., a Dreadnought battleship, has been sunk by striking a mine. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. Last night’s announcement by the Secretary of the Admiralty was as follows: ''H.M.S. King Edward VII. has struck a mine. Owing to the heavy sea she had to be abandoned and sank shortly afterwards. The ship’s company were taken off without any loss of life, and only two men were injured.” The lost battleship, although twelve years old, was a very valuable unit, and the class of eight vessels of which the King Edward VII. was the name-ship, is regarded as the most powerful group of pre-Dreadnought battleships in the world. Not only was the battleship a Devonport-built ship, completed at a cost £1,473.245, but events connection with her construction were made by the occasion of two Royal visits to the West. The laying down of the King Edward VII, afforded the officials and men of Devonport Dockyard the opportunity establishing a world’s record—the launching of a battleship and the laying down of another on the same slip the same afternoon. The double event took place March 8th, 1902, when the battleship ''Queen'' was named" and launched by her Majesty Queen Alexandra, and the first keel plate of the ''King Edward VII'', was laid by his late Majesty King Edward. By no previous ceremonies in the history the port had greater interest and enthusiasm been aroused. Almost interesting and imposing was the ceremony of naming and launching the battleship. The central figures on that occasion—July 23rd, 1903—were their Majesties King George and Queen Mary, who were at that time Prince and Princess of Wales. H.M.S. King Edward VII, had displacement of 16,350 tons and horse-power of 18,138. She attained speed of 19.04 knots on her trials. Her armament consisted of four 12in., four 9.2 in., ten. 6in., twelve 12pr., twelve 3pr., and machine-guns, and four torpedo tubes. She w as 425 feet long, 78 feet beam, and draws 26 feet of water.
BATTLESHIP SUNK. BLOWN UP BY MINE ; ENTIRE CREW SAVED. One of the greatest losses the Navy has sustained was announced by the Admiralty last night. H.M.S. King Edward VII., a Dreadnought battleship, has been sunk by striking a mine. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. Last night’s announcement by the Secretary of the Admiralty was as follows: ''H.M.S. King Edward VII. has struck a mine. Owing to the heavy sea she had to be abandoned and sank shortly afterwards. The ship’s company were taken off without any loss of life, and only two men were injured.” The lost battleship, although twelve years old, was a very valuable unit, and the class of eight vessels of which the King Edward VII. was the name-ship, is regarded as the most powerful group of pre-Dreadnought battleships in the world. Not only was the battleship a Devonport-built ship, completed at a cost £1,473.245, but events connection with her construction were made by the occasion of two Royal visits to the West. The laying down of the King Edward VII, afforded the officials and men of Devonport Dockyard the opportunity establishing a world’s record—the launching of a battleship and the laying down of another on the same slip the same afternoon. The double event took place March 8th, 1902, when the battleship ''Queen'' was named" and launched by her Majesty Queen Alexandra, and the first keel plate of the ''King Edward VII'', was laid by his late Majesty King Edward. By no previous ceremonies in the history the port had greater interest and enthusiasm been aroused. Almost interesting and imposing was the ceremony of naming and launching the battleship. The central figures on that occasion—July 23rd, 1903—were their Majesties King George and Queen Mary, who were at that time Prince and Princess of Wales. H.M.S. King Edward VII, had displacement of 16,350 tons and horse-power of 18,138. She attained speed of 19.04 knots on her trials. Her armament consisted of four 12in., four 9.2 in., ten. 6in., twelve 12pr., twelve 3pr., and machine-guns, and four torpedo tubes. She w as 425 feet long, 78 feet beam, and draws 26 feet of water.
The Wreck
H.M.S King Edward VII has the UKHO Wreck Card 946
The wreck was first located by side scan sonar in 1966 by H.M.S. Berwick and described as '' Extent 130 ft, Ht 60 ft in general depth of 65 fms. .''
The wreck was first located by side scan sonar in 1966 by H.M.S. Berwick and described as '' Extent 130 ft, Ht 60 ft in general depth of 65 fms. .''
H.M.S. Berwick
The wreck was further surveyed in 1984 by BUE Subsea in position 584222N, 035334W the description was as follows '' Least E/S depth 94 in gen depth 108 mtrs. No scour. DCS3 ht 14 mtrs. Length 120 mtrs lying 170/350 deg.''
In 1997 a group of technical divers led by Leigh Bishop conducted a dive on H.M.S King Edward Vii from the dive vessel M.V. Karin skippered by John Thornton. This was one of the first sub 100m dives in Europe and for that time an amazing achievement. Leigh Bishop recorded a depth of 117m. A report was submitted to the UKHO and added to the Wreck Card.
'' 26.6.97 Vessel confirmed as King Edward VII. Several divers give depth to wreck as 115 mtrs. Wk inverted. Identified by size and recovery of military style lamp. In addition 6 inch gun barrels were noted protruding from under the hull. Boxes of shells were noted on the seabed (L Bishop Telecon 26.6.97) .''
In 1997 a group of technical divers led by Leigh Bishop conducted a dive on H.M.S King Edward Vii from the dive vessel M.V. Karin skippered by John Thornton. This was one of the first sub 100m dives in Europe and for that time an amazing achievement. Leigh Bishop recorded a depth of 117m. A report was submitted to the UKHO and added to the Wreck Card.
'' 26.6.97 Vessel confirmed as King Edward VII. Several divers give depth to wreck as 115 mtrs. Wk inverted. Identified by size and recovery of military style lamp. In addition 6 inch gun barrels were noted protruding from under the hull. Boxes of shells were noted on the seabed (L Bishop Telecon 26.6.97) .''
