Out of a tragedy comes hope: Fundraiser aims to remember crew of HMS Exmouth
Eighty-five years after 190 men died when HMS Exmouth was torpedoed by German submarine U-22 off Wick in northern Scotland, divers are hoping to honour the memory of the crew of the wartime destroyer.
The naval community is being asked to support fundraising efforts to honour the men of HMS Exmouth, which sank on 21 January 1940, while also supporting the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution).
Lieutenant Commander Jen Smith, the project leader who serves at Northwood, said: "There's just something very special about the thought of the names of those sailors once again 'going to sea', while at the same time helping to save lives at sea today."
A team of divers returned to the wreck last summer to survey the remains of the ill-fated destroyer and raised the White Ensign for the first time since 21 January 1940.
Speaking last year, Lt Cdr Smith said: "One hundred and ninety souls were lost when HMS Exmouth went down, and only 18 bodies were recovered ashore – the majority of that crew were lost at sea.
"So their legacy is the wreck itself, that is their final resting place.
"We need to ensure that the wreck stays preserved and remembered so future generations can visit her or pay their respects to those who gave the greatest sacrifice."
The divers were so moved by the experience that they wanted the names of her crew to live on.
With the RNLI in the process of building a new Shannon-class lifeboat for Exmouth, the charity's Launch A Memory initiative allows just that while helping to offset the £2.2m cost of the lifeboat.
The names of the Royal Navy men will be added to the numbers and letters on the wheelhouse, so each time the lifeboat crew launches, HMS Exmouth's crew will be there above them in spirit.
Speaking this year, Lt Cdr Smith said: "This is a great initiative and it really strikes a chord with me.
"Out of a tragedy has come hope and it's as if the sailors are still fulfilling their duty of helping others.
"When I first approached the RNLI, they were incredibly moved by the story of HMS Exmouth and our efforts to ensure the ship and her crew were not forgotten.
"They were delighted for us to team up with them for this really moving tribute."
The aim is to raise £9,500 – equivalent to £50 for each man lost – but donations of any amount are welcome.
So far, the divers have raised more than £3,500 and, with the campaign due to close in April, they are pushing hard to reach their target in the next few months.
You can support the campaign via justgiving.com/page/hms-exmouth
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