Victims of HMS K13 submarine disaster remembered at memorial service in Faslane
A service to remember the 32 victims of a First World War submarine disaster has taken place in Scotland.
HMS K13 sank on 29 January 1917 during sea trials. The accident happened in the Gareloch, an open sea loch, close to where HMNB Clyde naval base was built.
Serving personnel, veterans, sea cadets and the families of those who have served in the Submarine Service gathered at Faslane Cemetery near the base for the memorial.
The boat's bell tolls
On board the submarine at the time were 53 Royal Navy submariners, 14 employees of Govan shipbuilder Fairfield's, five Admiralty officials, a pilot, and the captain and engineer from sister submarine K14.
The name of each victim was read out as the bell from the submarine tolled during the service, which marked the culmination of several days of commemorations to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
Andy Knox, the chairman of the Submariners Association, said: "It's hugely important to the Submarine Service, the veteran community and the young trainee submariners and the serving community as well.
"When you think about where the disaster was – it's a stone's throw from the naval base – you can look from the senior mates' mess and see exactly where the disaster took place and where she sank.
"The tolling of the bell and reading out of the names is hugely important, and it puts that sort of personal touch on it.
"It hits home then rather than just talk about K13 as a whole. To have that human element is amazing."
Engine room flooded
The vessel was performing sea trials when she failed to level out at a depth of 20ft and ended up on the bottom of the loch.
Most of the victims became trapped in the flooded engine room. It turned out the engine room had flooded because key openings had not been closed.
An inquiry later found that four ventilators had been left open, despite warning lights showing in the control room.
Forty-eight men did survive the disaster, and HMS K13 was salvaged and recommissioned as the K22, taking part in the Battle of May Island the following year.
Honouring the Submarine Service
The memorial event took place as the Royal Navy marks 125 years of the Submarine Service.
Mr Knox said: "It's immensely important. When we look to hull one – the first submarine commissioned for the Royal Navy in 1901 – and those brave men throughout the years that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Submarine Service.
"We are a very close band of brothers and sisters, and to be part of the 125th anniversary this year, it's remarkable."
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