Q Ships and Their Story 1

Q Ships and Their Story 1

Q Ships and Their Story

Author: E. Keble (Edward Keble) Chatterton

 

PREFACE

The wonderful and brave story of ships and men here presented needs

but the briefest introduction. The deeds will forever remain one of

the most glorious chapters in the chronicles of the sea. No excuse is

offered for adding another volume to the literature of the war, for

the subject is deserving of greater attention than has hitherto been

possible. Lord Jellicoe once remarked that he did not think English

people realized the wonderful work which these mystery ships had done

in the war, and that in these vessels there had been displayed a spirit

of endurance, discipline, and courage the like of which the world had

never before seen.

 

To few naval historians, I believe, has it ever been permitted to

enjoy such complete opportunities for acquiring authentic information

as is here presented. Unquestionably the greatest sphere of Q-ship

operations was off the south-west coast of Ireland, owing to the fact

that the enemy submarines from the summer of 1915 to 1918 concentrated

their attacks, with certain intervals, on the shipping in the western

approaches to the British Isles. It was my good fortune during most of

this period to be at sea patrolling off that part of Ireland. These

Q-ships were therefore familiar in their various disguises at sea or

in harbour at Berehaven and Queenstown during their well-earned rest.

Throughout this time I kept a diary, and noted down much that would

otherwise have been forgotten. Many of the Q-ship officers were my

personal friends, and I have enjoyed the hospitality of their ships.

Valuable data, too, were obtained from officers of merchant ships who

witnessed Q-ships engaging submarines.

 

A considerable number of authentic manuscripts has been examined. By

the courtesy of commanding officers I have been lent documents of

priceless historical value, such as copies of official reports and

private diaries, plans, sketches, photographs, and so on. All this

information has been further augmented by personal conversation,

correspondence, and valuable criticism. I submit, therefore, that with

all these sources of information available, and with knowledge of much

that has been published from the German side, it is possible to offer a

monograph that is at once accurate in detail and correct in perspective.

 

‘With respect to single-ship actions,’ wrote James in his monumental

Naval History a hundred years ago, ‘the official documents of them

are also very imperfect. The letters are generally written an hour or

so after the termination of the contest, and, of course, before the

captain has well recovered from the fatigue and flurry it occasioned.

Many captains are far more expert at the sword than at the pen, and

would sooner fight an action than write the particulars of one.’

That statement is true to-day of the Q-ships, and it would have been

negligent not to have availed oneself now of the calm and considered

version of the chief actors in the great mystery-ship drama while they

are still alive. Although the time for secrecy has long since passed,

nothing has here been included of a confidential nature that can be of

assistance to enemies past or potential. In one instance, for political

reasons and in the interests of the service, I have made a certain

omission. Those concerned will recognize this and understand: the rest

will not notice it.

 

Among those who have rendered me the greatest assistance in regard to

information, advice, criticism, the loan of manuscripts, illustrations,

and in other ways, I desire especially to return thanks to Admiral Sir

Lewis Bayly, C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., and Miss Voysey, C.B.E.; to

Captain F. H. Grenfell, D.S.O., R.N., Captain Gordon Campbell, V.C.,

D.S.O., R.N., Captain W. C. O’G. Cochrane, R.N., Commander Godfrey

Herbert, D.S.O., R.N., Commander Stopford C. Douglas, R.N., and to

Lieutenant G. H. P. Muhlhauser, R.N.R.

 

E. KEBLE CHATTERTON.

_March, 1922._

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

 

CHAPTER PAGE

 

I. THE HOUR AND THE NEED 1

 

II. THE BEGINNING OF SUCCESS 13

 

III. Q-SHIP ENTERPRISE 26

 

IV. THE STORY OF THE ‘FARNBOROUGH’ 39

 

V. THE ‘MYSTERY’ SAILING SHIPS 52

 

VI. THE ‘MARY B. MITCHELL’ 67

 

VII. MORE SAILING SHIPS 77

 

VIII. SUBMARINES AND Q-SHIP TACTICS 92

 

IX. THE SPLENDID ‘PENSHURST’ 109

 

X. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS 132

 

XI. THE GOOD SHIP ‘PRIZE’ 143

 

XII. SHIPS AND ADVENTURES 158

 

XIII. MORE SAILING-SHIP FIGHTS 177

 

XIV. THE SUMMIT OF Q-SHIP SERVICE 192

 

XV. LIFE ON BOARD A Q-SHIP 213

 

XVI. Q-SHIPS EVERYWHERE 228

 

XVII. SHIPS OF ALL SIZES 242

 

XVIII. THE LAST PHASE 255

 

INDEX 273

 

 

 

 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

 

 

Q-Sailing-Ship _Mitchell_ _Frontispiece_

 

TO FACE PAGE

 

An Early Q-Ship (_Antwerp_) 6

 

Q-Ship _Antwerp_ 6

 

Commander S. C. Douglas, R.N. 8

 

Commander G. Herbert, D.S.O., R.N. 8

 

Q-Ship _Antwerp_ 12

 

Gun’s Crew of Q-Ship _Antwerp_ 12

 

Q-Ship _Redbreast_ 22

 

Q-Ship _Baralong_ 22

 

Q-Ship _Baralong_ (Two Illustrations) 28

 

Officers of Q-Ship _Farnborough_ 42

 

Captain Gordon Campbell and Lieutenant C. G. Bonner 42

 

Q-Sailing-Ship _Mitchell_ 68

 

Q-Ship _Penshurst_ 114

 

Q-Ship _Penshurst_ (Two Illustrations) 116

 

Q-Ship _Penshurst_ (Two Illustrations) 120

 

Captain and Officers of Q-Ship _Penshurst_ 124

 

Men of Q-Ship _Penshurst_ 124

 

Q-Ship _Tulip_ 138

 

Q-Ship _Tamarisk_ 138

 

Q-Ship _Candytuft_ 174

 

Q-Ship _Candytuft_ 176

 

Q-Sailing-Ship _Fresh Hope_ 188

 

Q-Ship _Record Reign_ 188

 

Q-Sailing-Ship _Rentoul_ 190

 

Q-Sailing-Ship _Rentoul_ (Gun Crew) 190

 

The Master of the Collier _Farnborough_ 192

 

Q-Ship _Farnborough_ 192

 

Q-Ship _Farnborough_ 194

 

Q-Ship _Farnborough_ 196

 

S.S. _Lodorer_ 196

 

Q-Ship _Pargust_ 198

 

Q-Ship _Sarah Jones_ 198

 

Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 200

 

Bridge of Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 202

 

After the Battle 204

 

_Dunraven_ Doomed 206

 

Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 208

 

Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 212

 

Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 214

 

Officers and Crew of the Q-Ship _Dunraven_ 216

 

Q-Ship _Barranca_ (Two Illustrations) 220

 

Q-Ship _Barranca_ (Two Illustrations) 222

 

Q-Ship Transformation 234

 

Q-Ship _Barranca_ at Sea 234

 

 

DIAGRAMS, ETC., IN THE TEXT.

 

FIG. PAGE

 

1. Action of _Baralong_ on August 19, 1915 21

 

2. Action of _Baralong_ on September 24, 1915 27

 

3. Action of _Margit_ on January 17, 1916 34

 

4. Action of _Werribee_ on February 9, 1916 37

 

5. Action of _Farnborough_ on April 15, 1916 45

 

6. Action of _Helgoland_ on October 24, 1916 63

 

7. Action of _Salvia_ on October 20, 1916 99

 

8. Action of _Saros_ on November 3, 1916 103

 

9. Action of _Penshurst_ on November 29, 1916 110