Introduction^[1]
This paper is about HMS Formidable, a pre-dreadnought battleship of the British Royal Navy. She was launched in 1899 and served in the First World War. On 1^st January 1915, while sailing off the coast of Devon, England, she was hit by a German submarine’s torpedo and sunk, losing 547 crew members (including Captain Loxley and his dog). The sinking of HMS Formidable was a significant event in the early months of the First World War, as it was one of the first naval attacks on the United Kingdom. The attack also demonstrated the effectiveness of submarine warfare, which would become a key factor in the naval campaigns of the First World War.

Picture Credit: HMS Formidable in Plymouth Sound, by Charles Dixon
Attribution: Charles Dixon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Edward_Dixon_HMS_Formidable_1898_Plymouth_Sound.jpg

This file has been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighbouring rights.

HMS Formidable served from 1908 and was considered to be one of the most powerful vessels in the British Navy. On Thursday, 31^st December 1914, the Formidable was undertaking firing exercises off the south coast of Devon. Unknown to them, they had been spotted by a German U-boat, and at 2.20 am, New Year’s Day 1915, she was struck by a torpedo and immediately began to take on water. A second torpedo struck just after three am, sealing Formidable’s fate. Of the 780-strong crew, only 233 survived. Some survivors were picked up at sea, and two boats managed to row to shore, but many men died of exposure before they could be rescued. A pinnace, one of the ship’s lifeboats, was holed and badly damaged. The 71 men on board desperately bailed with boots, caps and even a blanket, anything that came to hand. This boat eventually came ashore on the beach at Lyme Regis after 22 hours at sea. Of the 71 men who scrambled into the lifeboat, only 48 survived. The survivors were taken to the Pilot Boat Inn, and the dead were laid out in the cellar. The landlord’s dog, Lassie, came into the cellar and sat next to the body of a young seaman (W.S. Cowan), keeping him warm and licking his face. After a while, the sailor remarkably revived and quickly taken to hospital. The dog was applauded and awarded with a silver collar and a medal. The sinking of HMS Formidable was a shocking incident and lived long in the memories of the people of Lyme Regis.^[2]

A torpedoed battleship, the losing toss of a coin, ragtime played on a piano on the sinking ship and a rescue when unconscious after 20 hours in a small boat on a rough sea. These were elements of the dramatic story of officers’ steward Alfred Joseph John Hart, probably the last man to leave the stricken ship in the English Channel on New Year’s Day 1915 and survive. The son of a Bedford railway porter, he had joined the Navy four years earlier at age 17. His story was recorded by The Luton News^[3] on 14^th January 1915 – well worth reading.

HMS Formidable was the lead ship of her class of pre-dreadnought battleships, which also included HMS Irresistible and HMS Implacable. She was built by Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth, England and was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1901. She was armed with four 12-inch guns and several smaller guns and had a displacement of over 16,000 tons. The battleship was the third of four ships of that name to serve in the Royal Navy. She was laid down in March 1898, launched in November of that year, and was completed in September 1901. Formidable served initially with the Mediterranean Fleet, transferring to the Channel Fleet in 1908. In 1912, she was assigned to the 5th Battle Squadron, stationed at Nore.

[Halftone image from the Booklet “The Great War in Pictures” showing the activities of the German armed forces during World War in 1915. These were intended for propaganda purposes. Published by “Deutscher Uberseedienst”, Berlin, Germany. Edited by Jos. Schumacher, published by Georg Stilke. (2015/10/16).]

Following the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the squadron conducted operations in the English Channel and was based at Sheerness to guard against a possible German invasion. In the first days of the war, the 5^th Battle Squadron covered the crossing of the British Expeditionary Force to France. On 31^st December 1914, the squadron conducted training exercises in the English Channel and, despite the risk of German submarines, was without anti-submarine protection; the German U-24 under Kapitänleutnant Rudolf Schnieder stalked the ships during the day and, in the early hours of 1^st January 1915, torpedoed Formidable twice, sinking her with very heavy loss of life.

There are several reasons why HMS Formidable was so easily sunk in 1915:

• One reason was that it was vulnerable to submarine attack because it did not have adequate anti-submarine defences. At the time, the British Navy did not have a strong anti-submarine capability, and HMS Formidable was not equipped with the necessary equipment to detect and defend against submarine attacks.
• Another reason was that the ship was operating in an area with a high risk of attack by German submarines. The waters around the British Isles were heavily patrolled by German submarines, and HMS Formidable was patrolling in an area known to be dangerous for Allied ships.
• Finally, the ship was hit by two torpedoes, which caused significant damage and likely contributed to its sinking.

The combination of these factors made it easier for the German submarine to sink HMS Formidable.

It is clear that the attack by the German submarine U-24 was a significant event in the early months of the First World War and had a lasting impact on naval tactics and strategy. The sinking of HMS Formidable was one of the first naval attacks on the United Kingdom in the First World War, demonstrating the effectiveness of submarine warfare. The attack also prompted the British government to take measures to protect its naval vessels from submarine attacks, including using convoys and developing anti-submarine weapons. The sinking of HMS Formidable was a tragic loss, and the bravery and sacrifice of the crew will not be forgotten.

There are several things that the HMS Formidable and other battleships of the time could have done differently to better defend themselves against German submarine attacks:

• Improved anti-submarine technology: The HMS Formidable and other battleships of the time did not have effective technology for detecting and defending against submarine attacks. Developing and implementing better anti-submarine technology, such as hydrophones and depth charges, could have helped to protect these ships better.
• Enhanced convoy tactics: One way to reduce the risk of submarine attack was to use convoy tactics, in which groups of ships sailed together and were protected by escort vessels. Using convoys could have helped to better protect battleships like the HMS Formidable.
• Improved communication and coordination: Another factor that could have made a difference was improved communication and coordination between the different branches of the military. Better communication and coordination between the navy, the army, and the air force could have allowed for more effective defence against submarine attacks.
• Enhanced intelligence gathering: Better intelligence gathering could have helped better understand enemy submarines’ tactics and capabilities, allowing for more effective countermeasures.

Overall, there were many different factors that could have contributed to the demise of a battleship, such as HMS Formidable. It is important to recognise that naval battles are complex and dynamic, and it is often difficult to identify specific actions that could have prevented a particular outcome.

Source: German U-Boat U-24 sinks the HMS Formidable New Year’s Eve 1914-15, originally Der Krieg in Wort und Bild 1914-19, Deutsches Verlagshaus Bong & Co., Berlin, 1919.
Attribution: No attribution, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:German_U-Boat_U-24_sinks_the_HMS_Formidable_New_Year%27s_Eve_1914-15.jpg

Design and Description of HMS Formidable^[4]
The design for the Formidable class was prepared in 1897; it was an incremental improvement over the preceding Majestic and Canopus classes. Formidable adopted the larger size of the Majestics while taking the stronger Krupp armour of the Canopus design. In addition, the new design incorporated longer (and thus more powerful) main and secondary guns and an improved hull form. These characteristics produced a ship with better armour protection than either earlier class but with the same high speed as the Canopus.^[5]

Citation: The Launch of HMS “Formidable” at Portsmouth, 17 November 1898., illustration for The Illustrated London News, 26 November 1898. See The Illustrated London News page HERE.
Attribution: Unidentified engraver, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_launch_of_HMS_%27Formidable%27_at_Portsmouth,_17_November,_Lady_Lucy_Hicks_Beach_cutting_the_last_cord_which_held_the_vessel_to_the_ways_ILN-1898-1126-0017.jpg

Launch and time before World War 1
HMS Formidable was laid down at Portsmouth Dockyard on 21^st March 1898 and launched on 17^th November 1898. At the time of her launching, she was somewhat incomplete and was launched primarily to clear the slipway for construction to begin on the battleship London. Formidable was completed in September 1901 and was commissioned at Portsmouth the next month for service in the Mediterranean Fleet. Captain Alexander William Chisholm-Batten settled all financial arrangements relating to HMS Resolution on 9^th October 1901, and he and his crew turned over to Formidable on the following day.^[6] In September 1902, she visited the Aegean sea with other ships of the station for combined manoeuvres near Nauplia,^[7] and the next year, was escort ship to the royal yacht HMY Victoria and Albert when King Edward VII visited the Mediterranean. A year-long refit began in Malta in 1904, and in April 1908, she was finally transferred to the Channel Fleet.^[8]

Paid off at Chatham Dockyard on 17^th August 1908, Formidable began yet another refit and recommissioned on 20^th April 1909 for service in the 1st Division, Home Fleet, stationed at the Nore^[9]. On 29 May 1909, she transferred to the Atlantic Fleet. In May 1912, Formidable was reduced to a nucleus crew and transferred to the 5th Battle Squadron in the Second Fleet, Home Fleets, again at the Nore, where she served until the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914.^[10] Hard steaming^[11] during this service led to her developing serious machinery problems.^[12] It is not clear if those problems were resolved and whether the battleship was fully operational at the time of its demise.

World War I
At the beginning of the First World War, Formidable and the 5th Battle Squadron were based at Portland and assigned to the Channel Fleet to defend the English Channel. After covering the safe transportation of the British Expeditionary Force to France in August 1914, Formidable took part in taking the Portsmouth Marine Battalion to Ostend on 25 August.^[13] On 14 November 1914, Formidable and the other ships of the 5th Battle Squadron were rebased at Sheerness because of concern that a German invasion of Great Britain was in the offing. The squadron was relieved by Duncan-class battleships from the 6th Battle Squadron and transferred to Portland on 30^th December 1914.^[14]

Under the command of Vice-Admiral Commanding, Channel Fleet, Sir Lewis Bayly (pictured^[15], left), the 5th Battle Squadron spent 31 December 1914 taking part in gunnery exercises off the Isle of Portland, supported by the light cruisers Topaze and Diamond. The squadron received no escort of destroyers for the operation. Destroyers were in short supply: the destroyers on patrol in the Channel needed frequent maintenance because of weather damage. On the night of 28^th-29^th December 1914, eight of the 24 destroyers based at Dover were under repair.^[16] After the exercises, the fleet remained at sea on patrol that night even though submarine activity had been reported in the area. Although visibility that night was good, the sea was rough enough to make it difficult to detect the presence of a submarine. Presumably, Bayly suspected no danger from submarines and steamed his ships in line ahead formation at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Formidable was the last battleship in the line, followed only by the two cruisers. Unknown to the British, the German submarine U-24 stalked the squadron while it was exercising all afternoon, trying to find its best attack position.^[17]

At 01:58, on 1^st January 1915, U-24 fired a torpedo at HMS Queen from 750 yards at an acute angle, but it missed the target. The torpedo and the U-boat were not spotted by any of the British ships.^[18] At around 02:20, U-24 launched a torpedo at Formidable, striking her on the starboard side abreast of the forward funnel. Formidable‘s commander, Captain Loxley, hoped to save the ship by bringing her close to shore; at first, the other British ships were unaware of what had happened, but after Formidable turned out of line, Topaze increased speed to determine what she was doing. By the time Topaze closed with Formidable twenty minutes later, the latter vessel had already taken on a list of 20 degrees to starboard, and Loxley had issued the order to abandon it. Men trying to save the ship remained aboard and, by counter-flooding, reduced the list, but Formidable was then very low in the water.^[19] At around 03:05, U-24 launched another torpedo at the stricken Formidable, hitting her again on the starboard side close to her bow. Topaze, joined by Diamond, began the rescue effort, but the heavy seas made it very difficult to bring men aboard. Formidable remained afloat for another hour and forty minutes but, at 04:45, began to capsize and sink by the bow. She remained afloat, stern in the air, for a few minutes before sinking.

Captain Loxley was last seen on the bridge (with his pet dog), calmly overseeing evacuation. Diamond picked up thirty-seven officers and crew from the water.^[20] The Brixham trawler Provident picked up 73 members of Formidable‘s crew, while Formidable‘s pinnace^[21] reached Lyme Regis after 22 hours at sea, saving another 47 men. In total, 35 officers and 512 men died in the sinking.^[22]

Facts and Figures ^[23]

• HMS Formidable was 431 feet 9 inches (131.6 m) long overall, with a beam of 75 ft (22.9 m) and a draught of 25 ft 11 in (7.90 m).
• She displaced 14,500 long tons (14,700 tonnes) normally and up to 15,800 long tons (16,100 tonnes) fully loaded. The crew numbered 780 officers and ratings.
• The Formidable-class ships were powered by two 3-cylinder triple-expansion engines, with steam provided by twenty Belleville boilers. The boilers were trunked into two funnels located amidships.
• The Formidable-class ships had a top speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) from 15,000 indicated horsepower (11,000 kW).
• The battleship had a main battery of four 12-inch (305 mm) 40-calibre guns mounted in twin-gun turrets fore and aft; these guns were mounted in circular barbettes that allowed all-around loading or elevation. The ships also mounted a secondary battery of twelve 6-inch (152 mm) 45-calibre guns mounted in casemates^[24], in addition to ten 12-pounder 3 in (76 mm) guns and six 3-pounder 47 mm (1.9 in) guns for defence against torpedo boats. As was customary for battleships of the period, she was also equipped with four 18-inch (457 mm) torpedo tubes submerged in the hull.^[25]
• The battleship had a nine inches (229 mm) thick armoured belt; the transverse bulkheads on either end of the belt were nine to 12 inches (229 to 305 mm) thick. The conning tower had 14 in (356 mm) thick sides. She was fitted with two armoured decks, one and three inches (25 and 76 mm) thick, respectively.^[26] Her main battery turrets sides were eight to ten inches (203 to 254 mm) thick atop 12 in (305 mm) barbettes, and the casemate battery was protected with six-inch Krupp steel.^[27]

Hansard Record
Hansard is an edited verbatim record of what was said in Parliament. It also includes records of votes and written ministerial statements. The report is published daily, covering the preceding day and is followed by a bound final version. The following extract is noted (recorded 8^th February 1915, at vol 69 cc246-7):
Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any further information concerning the sinking of His Majesty’s ship “Formidable” than was contained in the announcement made public at the time of the event, when it was stated, on the authority of the Admiralty, that it was not certain whether the vessel was struck by a torpedo from a submarine or a mine?
§ Mr CHURCHILL: As stated by my Noble Friend Lord Crewe in another place, the definite opinion of the Admiralty is that His Majesty’s ship “Formidable” was sunk by two torpedoes fired from a submarine.
§ 88. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will explain to the House on what duty Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly’s squadron was engaged at the time of the sinking of H.M.S. “Formidable”; whether any inquiry or court-martial has been held; and, if so, whether it is proposed to make public the result?
247.§ Mr CHURCHILL: Sir, I do not think there is any advantage to be gained by the discussion of this matter at the present time. It is not proposed to hold any formal inquiry nor to bring any person before a court martial. The Board of Admiralty have considered attentively all the circumstances and I have no statement to make.

Sir Lewis Herbert Sutton Bayly
Under the command of Vice-Admiral Commanding, Channel Fleet, Sir Lewis Herbert Sutton Bayly, the 5^th Battle Squadron spent 31^st December 1914 participating in gunnery exercises off the Isle of Portland, supported by the light cruisers Topaze and Diamond. An inquiry from the Admiralty into the sinking of HMS Formidable determined that the risk of conducting training exercises in the Channel without destroyer protection was excessive and should not be continued. Bayly was relieved of command for failing to take adequate precautions against a submarine attack.^[28]

Although Bayly was criticised for not taking proper precautions during the exercises, he was cleared of the charge of negligence. In January 1915, he was made president of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and in July 1915, was made Senior Officer on the Coast of Ireland at Queenstown, Ireland. In 1917, the title became Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland, a post he held this post until 1919. In this function, Bayly was tasked with keeping the approaches to Great Britain safe from U-boat attacks. In 1917, Bayly, promoted to Admiral, was given command of a mixed British-American force defending the Western Approaches. He retired in 1919.

Perpetuating the Formidable Name
Four ships of the British Royal Navy so far have been named HMS Formidable, with a fifth, the French Formidable renamed HMS Ham after being captured from the French and recommissioned; a sixth has also been announced:

• HMS Ham (1759) was the 80-gun second-rate Formidable captured from the French at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759. It was broken up in 1768.
• HMS Formidable (1777) was a 90-gun second rate launched in 1777. She fought at the Battle of Ushant and the Battle of the Saintes and finally was converted to a 74-gun third rate in 1813 and was broken up later that year.
• HMS Formidable (1825) was an 84-gun second rate launched in 1825. She was used as a training ship in 1869 and was sold in 1906.
• HMS Formidable (1898) was the Formidable-class pre-dreadnought battleship launched in 1898 and torpedoed and sunk in 1915.
• HMS Formidable (67) was an Illustrious-class aircraft carrier launched in 1939 and sold for scrap in 1953.
• HMS Formidable will be a Type 31 frigate.^[29]

The Wreck Today
The following is a report on the status of the wreck of HMS Formidable:
“Completely upside-down, 40m proud. One propeller has been removed in unauthorised salvage. Another has been blown off, but is nearby and still attached to shaft. Guns can still be seen in casemates (armoured enclosures) crushed into seabed. Big break in hull just forward of the bridge almost cutting wreck in half. War grave – do not enter.”
Read more at wreck site: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?405

In Memory of a Local Boy

Bernard Smyth was a choir boy at Holy Trinity Church who joined the crew of HMS Formidable as a Boy 1^st Class. On 1^st January 1915, his ship was hit and sunk. He was seventeen years of age.

A brass plaque, mounted on a wooden base in his memory, is affixed to an interior wall of Holy Trinity Church. Previously, the plaque was at St John’s, Ansty but was moved to Holy Trinity Church on the decommissioning of St John’s on 25^th December 2000.^[30]

Many young lives were lost when HMS Formidable was sunk. Among them were six young cadets from Chatham Naval College who had joined the battleship on the outbreak of war, commissioned as midshipmen, and lost their lives in the sinking.

Sources and Further Reading

• http://roadstothegreatwar-ww1.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-death-of-battleship-hms-formidable.html?m=1worldnavalships
• http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/H.M.S._Formidable_(1898)
• http://www.worldwar1luton.com/blog-entry/drama-torpedoed-hms-formidable
• https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1915/feb/08/hms-formidable
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Formidable_(1898)
• https://forgottenwrecks.maritimearchaeologytrust.org/wrecks-and-sites/explore-the-wrecks/articles/hms-formidable
• https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=ILN&u=wes_ttda&id=GALE|HN3100161851&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-ILN&asid=7ce8883f
• https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/story/77294
• https://royal-naval-association.co.uk/gallery/hms-formidable-100yr-anniversary/
• https://warandsecurity.com/2015/02/03/the-sinking-of-hms-formidable-1-january-1915/
• https://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_formidable.htm
• https://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/Wrecks off Burton Bradstock/HMS Formidable.htm
• https://www.cuckfieldconnections.org.uk/post/1915-local-teenager-killed-in-torpedo-sinking-of-hms-formidable
• https://www.royalmarineshistory.com/post/sinking-of-hms-formidable-93-rms-lost
• https://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/ships/view.php?pid=1639
• https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/every-man-for-himself-the-loss-of-hms-formidable-1-january-1915/
• https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?405

Books:

• Before the Bells have Faded: The Sinking of HMS Formidable on January 1, 1915 – the first British Battleship to be sunk by a German U-Boat, by Mark Potts (Author), Tony Marks (Contributor), published by Naval and Military Press (13 February 2009), available at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Before-Bells-have-Faded-Formidable/dp/1847346839/

The Launch of Our Biggest Battle-Ship, HMS “Formidable”, the Vessel as she appeared after leaving the Ways. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 26 November 1898.
Attribution: Fred T. Jane, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_launch_of_our_biggest_battle-ship,_HMS_%27Formidable%27,_the_vessel_as_she_appeared_after_leaving_the_ways_ILN-1898-1126-0020.jpg

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End Notes and Explanations

1. Source: Machine-based artificial intelligence at: https://chat.openai.com/chat and other references as shown.  Explanation: The Levant is a geographical region in the eastern Mediterranean that encompasses modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine ↑
2. Source: LymeRegisMuseum.Co.uk More information about the sinking of HMS Formidable can be found at: https://forgottenwrecks.maritimearchaeologytrust.org/wrecks-and-sites/explore-the-wrecks/articles/hms-formidable ↑
3. Available at: http://www.worldwar1luton.com/blog-entry/drama-torpedoed-hms-formidable ↑
4. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Formidable_(1898) ↑
5. Source: Burt, R. A. (2013) [1988]. British Battleships 1889–1904. p. 190. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-173-1. ↑
6. Source: “Naval & Military intelligence”. The Times. No. 36576. London. 3 October 1901. p. 4. ↑
7. Source: “Naval & Military intelligence”. The Times. No. 36897. London. 13 October 1902. p. 7. (Nafplio is a coastal city located in the Peloponnese in Greece and today is an important touristic destination. The name of the city changed several times over the centuries. In Classical Antiquity, it was known as Nauplia In Latin, it was called Nauplia. ↑
8. Sources: (1) Burt, R. A. (2013) [1988]. British Battleships 1889–1904. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-173-1, p. 201, (2) Preston, Antony (1985). “Great Britain and Empire Forces”. In Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal (eds.). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships, 1906–1921. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp. 1–104. ISBN 978-0-87021-907-8. Cited at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Formidable_(1898) ↑
9. Explanation: The Nore is a long bank of sand and silt running along the south centre of the final narrowing of the Thames Estuary, England. Its southwest is the very narrow Nore Sand. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nore ↑
10. Source: Burt, R. A. (2013) [1988]. British Battleships 1889–1904. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-173-1, p. 201. ↑
11. Explanation: Hard steaming refers to a situation in which a ship is pushed to its limits, operating at or near full power for an extended period of time. This might involve maintaining high speeds, making frequent changes in direction, or otherwise pushing the ship’s engines and other mechanical systems to their maximum capacity. Hard steaming can be necessary in certain situations, such as when a ship is trying to evade an enemy or respond to an emergency, but it can also put a lot of strain on the ship’s machinery, potentially leading to problems or failures. ↑
12. Source: Preston, Antony (1985). “Great Britain and Empire Forces”. In Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal (eds.). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships, 1906–1921. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp. 1–104. ISBN 978-0-87021-907-8. ↑
13. Sources: (1) Burt, R. A. (2013) [1988]. British Battleships 1889–1904. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-173-1, p. 201, and (2) Corbett, Julian Stafford (1920). Naval Operations: To The Battle of the Falklands, December 1914. Vol. I. pp. 76, 98.London: Longmans, Green & Co.  ↑
14. Source: Burt, R. A. (2013) [1988]. British Battleships 1889–1904. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-173-1, p. 201. ↑
15. Picture of Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, KCB, KCMG, CVO Commander in Chief, Western Approaches during the joint British-U.S. antisubmarine campaign in World War I. Attribution: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lewis_Bayly_1915.jpg ↑
16. Source: Naval Staff Monograph (Historical)  vol. xii, Home Waters part iii, November 1914 to the end of January 1915. pp. 147-48. Cited at: https://warandsecurity.com/2015/02/03/the-sinking-of-hms-formidable-1-january-1915/ ↑
17. Source: Corbett, Julian Stafford (1921). Naval Operations: From The Battle of the Falklands to the Entry of Italy Into the War in May 1915. Vol. II. pp. 57-59. London: Longmans, Green & Co.  ↑
18. Source: https://warandsecurity.com/2015/02/03/the-sinking-of-hms-formidable-1-january-1915/ ↑
19. Sources: (1) Burt, R. A. (2013) [1988]. British Battleships 1889–1904. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-173-1, p. 203, and (2) Corbett, Julian Stafford (1921). Naval Operations: From The Battle of the Falklands to the Entry of Italy Into the War in May 1915. Vol. II. p. 57. London: Longmans, Green & Co.↑
20. Sources:  Burt, p. 203, and (2) Corbett 1921, pp. 58–59. ↑
21. Explanation: As a ship’s boat, the pinnace is a light boat, propelled by oars or sails, carried aboard merchant and war vessels in the Age of Sail to serve as a tender. The pinnace was usually rowed but could be rigged with a sail for use in favourable winds. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnace_(ship%27s_boat) ↑
22. Sources: (1) Burt, R. A. (2013) [1988]. British Battleships 1889–1904. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-173-1, p. 203 and (2) Corbett, Julian Stafford (1921). Naval Operations: From The Battle of the Falklands to the Entry of Italy Into the War in May 1915. Vol. II. p. 59. London: Longmans, Green & Co.↑
23. Sources: Lyon, David & Roberts, John (1979). “Great Britain and Empire Forces”. p.36. In Chesneau, Roger & Kolesnik, Eugene M. (eds.). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships, 1860–1905. Greenwich: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 1–113. ISBN 978-0-85177-133-5. ↑
24. Explanation: A casemate is a fortified gun emplacement armoured structure from which guns are fired, in a fortification, warship, or armoured fighting vehicle. In warship design, the term “casemate” has been used in a number of ways, but it generally refers to a protected space for guns within a ship’s hull or superstructure. Source: Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. Cited at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casemate ↑
25. Sources: Lyon, David & Roberts, John (1979). “Great Britain and Empire Forces”. p.36. In Chesneau, Roger & Kolesnik, Eugene M. (eds.). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships, 1860–1905. Greenwich: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 1–113. ISBN 978-0-85177-133-5. ↑
26. Sources: Lyon, David & Roberts, John (1979). “Great Britain and Empire Forces”. p.36. In Chesneau, Roger & Kolesnik, Eugene M. (eds.). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships, 1860–1905. Greenwich: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 1–113. ISBN 978-0-85177-133-5. ↑
27. Explanation: Barbettes are several types of gun emplacement in terrestrial fortifications or on naval ships. In naval usage, a barbette is a protective circular armour support for a heavy gun turret. This evolved from earlier forms of gun protection that eventually led to the pre-dreadnought. The name barbette ultimately comes from fortification – it originally meant a raised platform or mound, as in the French phrase en barbette, which refers to the practice of firing a cannon over a parapet rather than through an embrasure in a fortification’s casemate. Cited at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbette ↑
28. Source: Corbett, Julian Stafford (1921). Naval Operations: From The Battle of the Falklands to the Entry of Italy Into the War in May 1915. Vol. II, p. 59-60. London: Longmans, Green & Co. Cited at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Formidable_(1898) ↑
29. Source and Explanation: “Ships to inspire – names of Type 31 frigates revealed”. Royal Navy. 19 May 2021. In May 2021, the First Sea Lord announced the names of the five planned Type 31 ships. The names were selected to represent key themes that represented the future plans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines – forward deployment of ships overseas; operating in the North Atlantic; carrier operations; technology and innovation; and the Future Commando Force. Cited at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Formidable_(Type_31_frigate) ↑
30. Source: https://www.cuckfieldconnections.org.uk/post/1915-local-teenager-killed-in-torpedo-sinking-of-hms-formidable ↑