[Note: ADM 137/3621A-3621E are produced as a single document: order as ADM 137/3621...

ADM 137/3621D

1916

[Note: ADM 137/3621A-3621E are produced as a single document: order as ADM 137/3621].

Listing continued from ADM 137/3621C

Folios 105-108: Copy of Sailing Orders Issued to HMS Hampshire. Covering form from Admiral John Rushworth Jellicoe, No. 1297/H.F.0021 9 June 1916 (folio 108). Sailing Orders HMS Hampshire, H.F.S.O.105 4 June 1916.

1. Hampshire to be ready to leave on the evening of 5 June with Lord Kitchener and mission members and proceed to Archangel.

2. To maintain a speed of 18 knots until latitude 62˚0'N then at least 16 knots.

3. The commerce raider Moewe and one other may be operating on the route and a sharp lookout is to be kept for them during the passage which is not, however, to be delayed for this purpose.

4. HMS Hampshire is to proceed by the route laid down in Confidential Interim Order 710/1916 for merchant ships from east coast ports. Communicate by W/T with the Senior Naval Officer, White Sea, for latest information regarding approaches.

5. After disembarking the mission, HMS Hampshire is to proceed to Yukanski to embark coal. After to return to Scapa at 17 knots.

6. Weather permitting two destroyers are to screen HMS Hampshire from Scapa enroute to Archangel as far as latitude 62˚0'N when they are to return to Scapa.

7. On the return, HMS Hampshire is to report her position, course and speed to allow a screen to meet her in latitude 62˚0'N.

8. Every precaution is to be taken against submarines. They have recently been reported to be off Stadlandet in latitude 62˚N; no information has been received that they are operating further north

Folio 107: Copy of Signal. C-in-C to HMS Hampshire, 5 June 1916. Cancel paragraph 5 of Sailing Order of 4 June 1916 and substitute –HMS Hampshire is to remain at Archangel after disembarking the mission and will re-embark Lord Kitchener at that port. Arrangements will be made to coal HMS Hampshire at Archangel.

Folios 109-113: Loss of HMS Hampshire. Review efforts made by local military and civilians. No. 323/H.F.0021, 11 June 1916. From C-in-C to the Admiralty. (folio 113) Signal 9 June from Vice Admiral Frederic Edward Errington Brock, commanding Orkney and Shetland to Captain of HMS Duke Of Edinburgh (President of the Court of Enquiry), with report by Lieutenant Colonel C.L. Brooke, R.M.A., Fire Commander Western Defences. Signal from Captain Henry Blackett [HMS Duke Of Edinburgh] to Rear Admiral Herbert Leopold Heath Commanding Second Cruiser Squadron noting that the reference to Lord Kitchener getting into a pinnace had not been made by any of the survivors when questioned at the Court of Enquiry. This signal was forwarded to C-in-C, (folio 109). Report by Lieutenant Colonel C. L. Brooke 8 June 1916. [The report refers to an attached tracing of an Ordnance chart, but it is not in this file]. At 8.20 p.m. on 5 June informed about the accident by the Captain of the Western Patrol. Left with two cars with Lieutenant Boissier R.M.A., a Sergeant and 11 men with ropes, blankets etc. Proceeded to Skaill Bay and walked along cliffs. Four survivors rescued but it was unable to rescue men on a raft. Gunner Worrell R.M.A. and Private Read R.M.L.I. did excellent work in the water. A raft with 42 bodies was washed onto rocks. Two survivors were found in a farm. With civilians, bodies were brought up the cliffs. Some wreckage, a further raft and an upturned boat were seen. A survivor told the sergeant that he had seen Lord Kitchener get into a pinnace with his staff but almost directly on leaving the ship it capsized. Mr. Brass of Sanwick had witnessed the explosion on HMS Hampshire and her sinking. [Times are given for the above but these cannot be seen within this file's binding]

Folios 114-115: Report 153/10.H., 15 June by Vice Admiral Frederic Edward Errington Brock, commanding Orkney and Shetland to the C-in-C concerning his enquiry into the steps taken by the lookouts at Birsay. Considering they were not trained, they did everything expected and the inhabitants of Birsay and neighbourhood showed zeal in assisting. A short précis of the evidence of each Territorial lookout is attached, (folio 115). Gunner Angus, Orkney R.G.A. Saw HMS Hampshire proceed north and explosion on starboard side. Informed the Corporal in charge. Later searched for survivors. Corporal Dever, Orkney R.G.A. Gunner Angus did not report the explosion until later. On his way to the post office he saw the ship well down by the bows and he made out a telegram that the ship was in distress. When he saw the ship sink, he returned to the post office and added to the telegram that the ship was down. He then searched for survivors. Gunner Norn, Orkney R.G.A. Saw that the ship was much closer to the coast than any big ships before. After seeing the ship sink, he went to post office and remained there to answer some telegrams.

Folio 116: 170/10.H, 3 July 1916 from Vice Admiral Frederic Edward Errington Brock, commanding Orkney and Shetland to the C-in-C referring to statements made by Miss Jessie Anne Comloquoy, Postmistress at Birsay, Mr J. Mackay, Clerk at Kirkwall Post Office and Mr J. P. Meason, Clerk of Kirkwall Post Office. [These statements are not included in this file].

Folio 117: H.F.0021/33, 22 June 1916 from C-in-C to the Commanding Office HMS Morning Star requesting information about the retinue of the late Earl Kitchener embarked for passage to HMS Hampshire.

Folio 118: Hand-written reply that that retinue and their luggage were embarked on the Fleet Messenger Alouette.

Folio 119: Telegram 644, 18 July 1916 from the Admiralty requesting names of the destroyers which accompanied HMS Hampshire on afternoon of 5 June 1916, and were turned back on account of weather. Reply that destroyers were HMS Unity and HMS Victor.

Folios 121-129: Names of Officers and Men of HMS Hampshire whose bodies have been recovered and details of burial arrangements.

Folio 125: Memorandum from Vice Admiral F.E. Brock, commanding Orkney and Shetland to the Officers commanding Western and Northern Patrols, Officer Commanding Troops, Kirkwall and Senior Naval Officer Thurso. 1. It may be possible that the body of Earl Kitchener is recovered. 2. Should this happen, the Admiralty directs that steps are taken to prevent the publication of the information. 3. The body is to be placed in a metal lines shell which is available on board Cyclops. 4. Recovery is to be reported to me quoting the number and date of this memorandum and no mention of the name is made in telegraphic of telephone communications. Patrols and coast watchers are to be informed and instructed immediately.

Listing continued in ADM 137/3621E.

HSA 122 Admiralty 8 June 1916

Public Record(s)

Open Document, Open Description