WWI, Sinking of HMS Irresistible, 1915

Sinking of British ship, Irresistible. During World War I, mines were used extensively to defend coasts, coastal shipping, ports and naval bases around the globe. The Germans laid mines in shipping lanes to sink merchant and naval vessels serving Britain. HMS Irresistible was a Formidable-class pre-dreadnought battleship. Outclassed with the emergence of the dreadnought class of ships, she entered service with the Home Fleet in 1911 following a refit. Following the outbreak of WW I she was assigned to the Channel Fleet. After operations with the Dover Patrol, she served in the Dardanelles Campaign, taking part in the bombardment of the Turkish forts guarding the Dardanelles. On March 18, 1915, she struck a mine, which caused severe damage and killed around 150 of her crew. Without power, she began to drift into the range of Turkish guns. She was abandoned with most of her crew having been successfully evacuated, and eventually sank. The campaign was one of the greatest Ottoman victories during the war and is considered a major Allied failure. Bain News Service, 1915

Picture No

10978240

Media ID

47618722

Size

4800px x 3301px (2.1MB)

Credit

Source

Photo Researchers

Date

1915