HMS Success
HMS Success. 27/12/1914
Lively class destroyer (B Class)
Displacement: 430 grt.
Length: 64.0m. Beam: 6.4m. Draught: 1.5m.
Propulsion: 2 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engines, coal fired water-tube Reed boilers, dual shaft, 2 screws
Complement: 65 officers and men.
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr gun, 5 x 6 pdr., 3 x 18" Torpedo Tube.
Lively class destroyer (B Class)
Displacement: 430 grt.
Length: 64.0m. Beam: 6.4m. Draught: 1.5m.
Propulsion: 2 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engines, coal fired water-tube Reed boilers, dual shaft, 2 screws
Complement: 65 officers and men.
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr gun, 5 x 6 pdr., 3 x 18" Torpedo Tube.
The Destroyer HMS Success was built by Doxford W. & Sons - William Doxford & Sons Ltd., Sunderland and launched in 1901.
From the start of World War one served with Seventh Patrol Flotilla.
From the start of World War one served with Seventh Patrol Flotilla.
The Loss
Daily Record - Monday 28 December 1914
BRITISH DESTROYER ASHORE. BADLY DAMAGED ON FIFE COAST. Early yesterday morning during a heavy gale blowing east-south-east the British torpedo-boat destroyer Success went ashore on the rocky coast at Kingsbarns, about six miles from St. Andrews. The craft was steaming south from Aberdeen to the Firth of Forth, and in the darkness, without shore lights to guide her, she lost her bearings. The Crail lifeboat, stationed at Fifeness, was launched, and made several trips, bringing safely to land fifty-two of the crew, but on her last trip was stove in by the rough seas dashing her against the rocky beach.
The St. Andrews lifeboat was also called out, and after several tacks against the wind reached the Success, and took off the remainder the crew, consisting of thirteen officers and men, including the commander. Another destroyer appeared the scene, and towed the St. Andrews boat back the harbour, where the navy men were safely landed. The Success is badly damaged, and likely to become a total wreck.
BRITISH DESTROYER ASHORE. BADLY DAMAGED ON FIFE COAST. Early yesterday morning during a heavy gale blowing east-south-east the British torpedo-boat destroyer Success went ashore on the rocky coast at Kingsbarns, about six miles from St. Andrews. The craft was steaming south from Aberdeen to the Firth of Forth, and in the darkness, without shore lights to guide her, she lost her bearings. The Crail lifeboat, stationed at Fifeness, was launched, and made several trips, bringing safely to land fifty-two of the crew, but on her last trip was stove in by the rough seas dashing her against the rocky beach.
The St. Andrews lifeboat was also called out, and after several tacks against the wind reached the Success, and took off the remainder the crew, consisting of thirteen officers and men, including the commander. Another destroyer appeared the scene, and towed the St. Andrews boat back the harbour, where the navy men were safely landed. The Success is badly damaged, and likely to become a total wreck.
The Wreck
UKHO Wreck card 2991 was created in 1967 after an application to purchase the remains of HMS Success by a Mr Simpson. In 1981 Ian Whittaker, author of ''Off Scotland'' reported that only a part of the keel and prop shat remains but a report from 2004 states ''Not Located''.
Also see: https://www.scottishshipwrecks.com/hms-success/
Also see: https://www.scottishshipwrecks.com/hms-success/
