Pathfinder

[Clio]

For several years I have been researching the destruction of HMS Pathfinder off St Abbs Head. The first port of call was Kew. Unfortunately the only file I could locate at the time, ADM 116/1356 gives a full casualty list, three locations where those recovered were buried, but nothing else.

Does anyone know of another file which gives details of the sinking ? Is there anything in ADM 53/54542 ?

[Terence Munson]

Clio - There is a brief account in in British Warship Losses in the Iron Clad Era 1860 - 1919 by David Hepper

I could post later or send a PM.

Sources he lists are: TNA; PRO ADM.116/1356: Corbett vol.1, p.163; Larn vol.4

Cheers, Terry

[Simon S.]

Hi Clio,

try Bob Baird's "Shipwrecks of the Forth and Tay".

Best wishes,

Simon S.

[Terence Munson]

From: British Warship Losses........David Hepper

HMS PATHFINDER Scout Cruiser

Captain Francis Martin Leake

5th September 1914.

"Acting as leader for the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, she was returning to Rosyth after conducting a patrol in the Firth of Forth. Short of coal she was maintaining a low speed, just five knots and steering a steady course. She therefore presented an easy target for the submarine U 21 (Hersing) which fire a single torpedo at 1,500 yards during the late afternoon when the cruiser was fourteen miles east-south-east of May Island. The track of the torpedo was seen and avoiding action taken, but far too late, the cruiser being hit starboard side forward. The flash reached the forward magazine which exploded destroying the forepart of the ship and blowing a 4in. gun onto the quarterdeck. The surviving after part remained afloat for several minutes before sinking. There were just twelve survivors with 256 (or 259, accounts differ) casualties. The wreck lies in position 56.07.18N. 02.09.20W."

Cheers, Terry

[Clio]

Thanks for these suggestions. I will ask Bob Baird where he got his info from. You would expect such a significant incident to have been subject of some sort of inquiry

[kin47]

Hello

Per PATHFINDER's survivors, I have a name list of two officers and fourteen ratings.

All best

don

[per ardua per mare per terram]

Thanks for these suggestions. I will ask Bob Baird where he got his info from. You would expect such a significant incident to have been subject of some sort of inquiry

I would have expected it to lead to a court martial, but the file may have been weeded.

[Clio]

The whole lot has been weeded. Apart from the two files already cited - which contain sweet nowt about the sinking, the only material seems to be from secondary sources and post war memoirs. Its probably a case of error rather than conspiracy. Maybe the file was never put back in the right place. There is material in the official history - albeit milled through the propaganda machine - and it must have originated from some official report on the incident.

The perplexing thing is that it is (arguably) the most significant loss in British coastal waters and yet there is apparently very little in the public domain.