GREATWAR-L Archives

Archiver > GREATWAR > 2001-08 > 0997121687


From: "George Pickering" <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] HMS Creasy
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001 19:16:32 +0100
References: <7b.18988ca9.289ec3d7@aol.com>


Gill,

I think you are referring to the "Cressy". My great uncle was lost on the
"Hogue" another cruiser involved in the same incident.

Early on September 22nd 1914 the German submarine U9 under the command of
Commander Otto Weddigen sighted the Cressy, Aboukir and Hogue steaming NNE
at 10 knots without zigzagging. Although the patrols were supposed to
maintain 12-13 knots and zigzag the old cruisers were unable to maintain
that speed and the zigzagging order was widely ignored as there had been no
submarines sighted in the area during the war.

U9 manoeuvred to attack and at about 6.25 AM fired a single torpedo at
Aboukir, which stuck her on her port side. Aboukir rapidly suffered heavy
flooding and despite counter flooding developed a 20 degree list and lost
engine power. It was soon clear that she was a lost cause and Captain
Drummond ordered her to be abandoned, although only one boat had survived
the attack so most crew had to jump into the sea. At first Drummond thought
that Aboukir had been mined and signalled the other two cruisers to close
and assist but he soon realised that it was a torpedo attack and ordered the
other cruisers away, but too late.

As Aboukir rolled over and sank, half an hour after being attacked, U9 fired
two torpedoes at HMS Hogue that hit her amidships and rapidly flooded her
engine room. Captain Nicholson of Hogue had stopped the ship to lower boats
to rescue the crew of Aboukir, thinking that as he was the other side of
Aboukir from U9 he would be safe. Unfortunately U9 had manoeuvred around
Aboukir and attacked Hogue from a range of only 300 yards.

The firing of two torpedoes affected the trim of U9 which broke the surface
briefly and was fired on by Hogue without effect.

It only took Hogue ten minutes to sink as U9 headed for HMS Cressy. Cressy,
under Captain Johnson, had also stopped to lower boats but got underway on
sighting a periscope. At about 7.20 AM however U9 fired two torpedoes, one
of which just missed but the other hit Cressy on her starboard side, Cressy
briefly firing on U9s periscope with no effect.

The damage to Cressy was not fatal but U9 turned round and fired her last
torpedo which hit Cressy sinking her within a quarter of an hour.

Survivors were picked up by several nearby merchant ships including the
Dutch Flora and Titan and the British trawlers JGC and Corainder before the
Harwich force of light cruisers and destroyers arrived. Flora returned to
Holland with 286 rescued crew who were quickly returned to Britain even
though the neutral Dutch should have interned them. In all 837 men were
rescued but 1459 died, many of which were reservists or cadets.

There is very good book relating to the above account, it is called "Three
before Breakfast" by Alan Coles. It is now out of print but you find it by
using a book search.

Any further info you may want regarding the incident contact me.

If you come across any PICKERING headstones I would be grateful for any
photographs. What are your conditions, such as costs of photographs etc?

George Pickering
Rainham, Kent.


----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: 05 August 2001 16:44
Subject: [WW1] HMS Creasy


> Dear listers,
> Whilst researching family tree in Suffolk I came across a memorial to my
> great uncle
> William Henry HUBBARD lost with HMS Creasy in the North Sea.
> The parish church war memorial lists his death as 1914
> Any information greatfully received.
>
> Please note I shall be leaving for France - Bethune cemetery on Tuesday
7th.
> Any last request for photographs should be sent today as I shall be
> unsubscribing for a month.
>
> Yours,
>
> Gill
>
>
> ==== GREATWAR Mailing List ====
> TO UNSUBSCRIBE send the single word 'unsubscribe' to
(to unsub. from Digest mode, send to
) PLEASE DO NOT SEND MESSAGES TO THESE
ADDRESSES.
>
>
> ==============================
> Add as many as 10 Good Years To Your Life
> If you know how to reduce these risks.
> http://www.thirdage.com/health/wecare/hearthealth/index.html
>
>


This thread: