The sea kept its secrets for over a century. The HMS Hawke, a British cruiser sunk by a German submarine in 1914, has been rediscovered by divers at a depth of 110 meters off the Scottish coast. What is as fascinating as the tragic history of this ship is the incredible state of preservation of the wreck, a true time capsule from a bygone era.
In summary :
- The HMS Hawke, a British cruiser sunk in 1914 by a German submarine, has been found off the coast of Scotland.
- The wreck, located at a depth of 110 meters, is remarkably well-preserved, with its guns and decks largely intact.
- The ship, part of the Edgar class, was 110 meters long and equipped with both cannons and torpedoes.
- The quick sinking resulted in the deaths of 524 out of 594 crew members, turning the site into an underwater tomb.
- Further dives are planned to explore the wreck in more detail and confirm hypotheses about the sinking’s circumstances.
An Exceptional Discovery by Passionate Divers
The British collective Lost In Waters Deep made a significant breakthrough with this discovery. After years of meticulous research, the divers finally located the HMS Hawke about 112 km from Fraserburgh, Scotland. This cruiser, once a flagship of the Royal Navy, rests on its starboard side, its guns still impressive and its decks largely intact.
The HMS Hawke was commissioned in 1894 and belonged to the Edgar class, a series of nine cruisers designed for the Royal Navy. Measuring 110 meters in length, with an 18-meter beam and a 12,000 horsepower engine, this cruiser could reach speeds of 20 knots. Its armament included two 9.2-inch guns, ten 6-inch guns, and twelve torpedoes—crucial assets for British naval strategy at the time. In 1897, it took part in the Cretan Revolt within an international squadron composed of European powers.
A Tragic Memory of the First World War
The HMS Hawke sank on October 15, 1914, during a patrol mission in the North Sea. It was the German submarine U-9 that delivered the fatal blow, sending the cruiser to the bottom in just eight minutes after a torpedo impact. Out of the 594 sailors on board, 524 perished, turning the wreck into a submarine tomb. The rapid sinking is believed to be due to an explosion in the ammunition hold, a hypothesis that future explorations aim to confirm.
The search operations required analyzing numerous historical documents, such as the logs of the German submarine and those of the ships that encountered the HMS Hawke before it sank. After several years of research, the divers finally located the wreck at a depth of 110 meters.
A Technical Challenge for Underwater Exploration
Exploring a wreck at such depth presents significant challenges. The divers have only 20 minutes to conduct their research, limiting discoveries. However, thanks to modern technologies like sonars and underwater drones, the team has been able to map the wreck and identify key elements of the ship.
The initial reports from the divers describe an exceptional state of preservation. Steve Mortimer, one of the divers from the collective, explains: “The ship’s structure, the bridges, the guns, everything seems frozen in time. You can even see intact dishes through the portholes, as if the crew were about to return at any moment.”
A Window Into History, a Witness to Another Era
Beyond its historical value, the HMS Hawke holds unique archaeological treasures. The ship’s equipment, utensils, and metal structures are in exceptional condition, defying the 110 years that have passed since the sinking. This wreck, possibly the most intact of its era, is a true time capsule for archaeologists and historians. “It’s like time has stood still,” marvels Will Schwarz, another team member. “This is the discovery of a lifetime for us, but also a poignant reminder of the lives lost that day.”
This rediscovery is already attracting the attention of historians and specialists in World War I. Beyond the period artifacts, it could help better understand the circumstances of the sinking and either confirm or refute some historical hypotheses. For example, the presumed explosion of the ammunition hold remains a topic of debate among experts.
The next expeditions may help unlock the final mysteries of the HMS Hawke, offering a last tribute to the men who fell for their country and adding a new chapter to maritime history. The team plans to return to the site for longer and deeper dives, with the hope of recovering items that can be studied in greater detail. This discovery is a major step in preserving British naval history and a poignant reminder of the impact of war on past generations.
In conclusion, this discovery is much more than just a found wreck. It is an open window into a key period of global naval history, a tangible testimony of the struggles and sacrifices of World War I, and a unique opportunity for the scientific community to study a warship almost perfectly preserved after more than a century underwater.
