Submarine E14

The Senior Survivor’s Report

In January 1918 Submarine E14 was transferred from its Base at Corfu to the Dardanelles in an attempt to locate and sink the Turkish Battleship GOEBEN which had been damaged by mines and had then run aground in the Dardanelles. The Submarine failed to find the target which, by the time that Submarine E14 reached the grounding position, had been re-floated and towed away to safety. On 28th January 1918 Submarine E14 was destroyed by the Turkish Navy and shore based artillery after running aground at Kum Kale. The Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Saxton White was killed by shell fire, many of his crew were killed and injured (all the officers died). The survivors were made Prisoner of War. Lieutenant Commander White was awarded the Victoria Cross – the fourth submarine Victoria Cross of the First World War in the Dardanelles area and the second Victoria Cross for Commanding Officers of E14. The Senior Survivor was Petty Officer Robert Andree Perkins – the Coxswain.

Letter received by HMS “ADAMANT” from Petty Officer R A Perkins -late Submarine “E14”. Prisoner of War No 5456, Fabrique de Cement, Eski Hissar, Guebzeh, Asia Minor. 9th April 1918.

Sir, No doubt the Officers and Men of the “Adamant” and submarines would like to know what became of the Captain and two Officers. I am very sorry to say that Mr White was almost blown to pieces by a large shell which wounded three other men, and I believe it killed Mr Drew (Navigator) as I was with both of them. I saw the Captains body, but nothing of Mr Drew so I think he must have been killed and fell into the sea. Mr Blissett (First Lieutenant) was last seen in the engine room, so went down with the boat. It was a credit to us all to think that we had such a brave Captain, and Sir, if I could only mention a few things about him, but owing to his coolness he saved the boat half a dozen times.

It is a great pity that no Officer was saved to tell the tale. I also wish to mention A.B. Mitchell and Signalman Trimbell for gallantry for diving overboard and saving the life of Pritchard, Ord. Tel who was badly wounded, and would have lost his life had it not been for both of these men keeping him afloat until assistance arrived. I am glad to say that all men were sent to hospital ten minutes after being captured and were treated very well. The remaining 5 men except Stoker Reed have had a bad attack of fever since being captured. We are all very sorry that so few men were saved and, as I have said, our gallant Captain. This is all I have to report.

Statement by Senior Survivors.

HM Submarine “E14”, Captain, Lieutenant Commander White, RN left Mudros on Sunday evening, 27th January 1918, at 6.30 p.m., with one of HM destroyers as escort as far as the entrance to the Dardanelles. “E14” going on her own until about 11.30 p.m. Hands went to diving stations and the boat dived to 30 feet at 11.45 p.m., gradually going to a greater depth keeping at 150 feet, the boat gave no trouble in any way. On several occasions the boat came to 21 feet to take observations, which were difficult, as it was very dark.

At 3 a.m., 28th January, we passed the first net without any resistance, we found out they were nets during our capture, once or twice the boat seemed to hang up, the Captain putting it down to nets. The helm was reported “Hard to Starboard” and the boat going off to starboard and could only get out by going full speed astern and dived to 160 feet, clearing the nets. No damage to the boat in any way. No nets caught us after this one until about 6 a.m. which caused us to go on a sandbank in 19 feet of water or more. This net we could not clear so the Captain, Mr White, went to the surface and went out; but before doing so left orders for Mr Blissett to dive at once if he sang out, and leave him to look after himself, as two officers and thirty men were inside the boat. When the Captain went to the bows he cleared the obstacle we believed to be nets, and this was at “Tchanack” at the entrance to the Narrows. While on the surface he found the Gate, came into the boat and went astern into deep water. The boat was not seen by anybody and no firing was heard. We went under the nets at 170 to190 feet and these were the last nets we felt.

Now the search for the “Goeben” started and I believe we went one or two miles past Nagara Point and found the “Goeben” had been taken off. We have found out during our capture that she was towed off six hours before; this we got from a Turkish Naval man who got her off. When the Captain found she had gone, he had to turn back and on the way back orders were given to get the starboard bow tube ready and about 8.45 a.m. I brought her to 21 feet and the torpedo was fired at a ship. We found out during or capture she contained the ammunition from the “Goeben”. 11 seconds after the torpedo left the tube a heavy explosion took place and caused all the lights to go out, also sprang the fore hatch. Leaking badly the boat was blown to 15 feet and at once a heavy fire came from the forts. No shell hit the hull of the boat. The Captain at this time was very pleased with the order of the crew; seeing all correct he went down to 190 feet and went on our way out. Several boats were heard to pass over us but did not drop anything.

After this the boat got unsteady and kept diving, but very little, at the entrance we came to 21 feet for observations and went down later to 150 feet. Only a few minutes after we came to 21 feet for reasons for which I do not know; this was when she became out of control and heeled heavily to starboard and dived by the nose. I checked her at 165 feet and as we had only three bottles of air left the Captain thought it best to go on top and do our best, so the boat came to 21 feet and then to the surface. The order was given to standby both engines, but when opening the lower lid it was found to be leaking and the Conning Tower full. At once a heavy fire from both sides started, one shell hitting the hull of the boat over the Wardroom preventing us from diving. The fore hatch was sprung by the explosion and rather hard to open up. Great credit was due to ERA Milburn and CERA J Randall for getting the engines started as soon as the last clip came off.

The Captain was the first one up on deck and then Lieutenant Drew, RNR. I followed to connect the upper steering gear up, but here we found the spindle to be shot in half or jammed. Orders were given to steer from below and we ran the gauntlet for half an hour, only a few shots hitting us. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd shell hit the muffler box, causing steam to go into the engine room; this shell badly wounded Ord. Telegraphist Pritchard and he fell unconscious. The Captain seeing it was hopeless ran towards shore. His last words were “We are in the hands of God” and only a few seconds later I looked for him and saw his body mangled by shell fire roll into the water and was taken under. The last shell hit the starboard saddle tank and exploded killing all I believe. Previous to this we were running close to shore and I passed the order “Starboard 25” and she turned rapidly and sank in deep water.

I wish to bring to your notice the gallantry of R Mitchell, A.B. and Signalman Trimble for going after Pritchard under heavy machine gun fire and also calibre weapons were still in action. These two saved his life, keeping him afloat until picked up by the Turks. The three wounded were sent to hospital at once, all the remainder had their clothing taken from them, only one man, Milburn ERA getting his clothes back. I think many more might have been saved if the Turks had come out directly she had sunk. Now she is lying just off Kum Kale forts.