HM J1 attacked Ger. submarine with depth charges on Nov. 9, 1918

[Felix C]

Anyone have particulars on this incident? A submarine using depth charges on another submarine.

 

Appears K-Class were also fitted with depth charge throwers.  Anyone know if these could be launched from inside the submarine?

 

I can guess at the reasoning for these launchers. A chance encounter too close to use torpedoes and the Ger. follows their drill of diving where the J, K use their swift surface speed to close and launch chargers. Is that it?

 

edited 1/14 15:35hrs EST. deleted UB57 in light of info and replaced with Ger. submarine

Edited 14 January , 2019 by Felix C

[little bob]

U-Boat net gives UB57 sunk 14th August 1918 with the loss of all hands.

 

Bob

 

[Felix C]

Good eye. It would be informative to know if J1 actually used her DCs and what was the reason these larger subs had them. 

[Hyacinth1326]

Mined off the coast of Flanders according to Der Handelskrieg Mit U-booten, Band V.  Whatever J1 attacked, it wasn't UB-57.  J1 was sent from the 11th Flotilla  to Gibraltar in December 1917.  This is what the RAN site has to say ' On 9 November 1918 while on patrol off Gibraltar, J1 attacked an enemy submarine. The target may have been UB-51. Having fired a salvo of torpedoes, and missed, J1 then surfaced and opened fire with her gun and the enemy boat dived. She then closed the spot and dropped depth charges on the estimated position of the enemy. Although unsuccessful the attack is of interest since it involved an unusual form of attack by one submarine on another. The depth charges were fitted as the result of an idea by J1's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander RL Ramsay RN, who had envisaged four ‘200 lb naval bomb stick throwers' abaft the conning tower. In the event two chutes were fitted internally just forward of the steering gear. About twenty charges were carried. The equipment was manned by Stokers under the Chief Stoker, orders being passed from the bridge by means of a special telegraph. The charges were lowered on strops into the chutes, the lid was then clamped down and the firer stood by for orders. When ordered a lever was pulled and the charges dropped out. The boat had to be going at full speed at the time to avoid damage to herself.'   Sorry if you already have this.  Spindler is silent on this attack.  Doesn't look like the throwers were standard equipment for the J class.

Edited 14 January , 2019 by Hyacinth1326

[Felix C]

Many thanks. Good to know.