Ships hit by U-boats


HMS Nelson (28)

British Battleship



HMS Nelson (28) before the war

NameHMS Nelson (28)
Type:Battleship (Nelson)
Tonnage33,950 tons
Completed1927 - Sir W.G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
OwnerThe Admiralty 
Homeport 
Date of attack4 Dec 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateDamaged by U-31 (Johannes Habekost)
Position57° 52'N, 5° 40'W - Grid AM 3853
Complement? men (0 dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteNorthern Patrol - Loch Ewe - Clyde 
Cargo 
History Completed in September 1927

Post-war:
Decommissioned on 20 October 1947. On 19 March 1948, sold to T.W. Ward and arrived at Inverkeithing for scrapping on 15 March 1949. 
Notes on event

At 07.52 hours on 4 December 1939 HMS Nelson (28) (Capt G.J.A. Miles, RN) as flagship of the Home Fleet (Adm Forbes) was badly damaged by a mine laid on 27 October by U-31 at the entrance of Loch Ewe. The battleship was en route with HMS Devonshire (39), escorted by HMS Faulknor (H 62), HMS Fury (H 76), HMS Firedrake (H 79) and HMS Forester (H 74). The explosion seriously damaged her and injured 73 crew members.

The machinery of HMS Nelson (28) was not affected, but she could not be moved for repairs before the area was searched for further mines. On 23 December HMS Glen Albyn and HMS Promotive were lost in the same minefield and only after five more mines were swept, it was possible for the battleship to leave Loch Ewe on 4 January 1940. The ship was escorted by HMS Faulknor (H 62), HMS Foxhound (H 69) and HMS Impulsive (D 11) to Portsmouth, where she was repaired from 14 January to 8 June.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 6 people who were on board


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