HMS Exmouth was the Leader of the 'E' class destroyers of which nine were built between 1933 - 34. She was launched on 30 January 1934 and commissioned on 9 November 1934 at Portsmouth Dockyard, her length was 343' (104.5m), beam was 34' (10.4m) and she was 1475 tons. She carried 4x4.7in HA and 2x2pdr AA guns, with 8x21in torpedo tubes. The 3-drum boilers and steam turbines developed 38000shp with a top speed of 36kts. She had a compliment of 175.
At 04:45 she was torpedoed off Tarbet Ness, Moray Firth, (58.18'N 02.25'W), by German submarine U22. She was lost with all hands which included Capttain R.S.Benson, 15 officers and 173 ratings. At the time of her loss it is reported that she was leading MS Cyprian Prince and was showing a stern light. Some eight hours after her loss a signal was made ordering her to search for a submarine which had earlier sunk a Danish ship, the Tekla. Obviously the signal was not acknowledged and it was not until the Cyprian Prince arrived at Kirkwall that the loss became known. Why the Cyprian Prince did not report or pick up survivors is obscure. The wreck is in position 58 18N, 02 25W in 40 metres. This is 22 miles from Wick and 51 miles from Tarbat ness - bearing 110 degrees. It is marked as PA on the admiralty chart.
Nothing was known locally of the tragedy until the sea began to give up its dead. Many of the bodies were identified, a few remained unknown warriors, but whatever the circumstances all were carried to their last resting place at Wick with full military honours and followed by a mourning civilian population. The first mass funeral took place on the last day of January. The scene was most impressive. As the coffins were carried from the temporary mortuary in Huddart street to the waiting funeral wagons a pronounced hush fell on the crowd. It was indeed a solemn moment.
Fifteen ratings from the destroyer were laid side by side in one grave at Wick. One of the men buried here, Petty officer Joe O'Brien, of Harrogate, aged 27, had a distinguished athletic career and possessed an amazing collection of trophies and certificates, including 200 medals and cups for swimming, and 39 trophies for other sports.
The wreck of HMS Exmouth was discovered in July 2001 by an independent expedition. The wreck is one of those listed as a 'protected place' under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. A relatives association for the crew of Exmouth was formed in 2001, which holds services in memory of those lost. A link to the HMS Exmouth 1940 Association can be found by clicking here.
At 04:45 she was torpedoed off Tarbet Ness, Moray Firth, (58.18'N 02.25'W), by German submarine U22. She was lost with all hands which included Capttain R.S.Benson, 15 officers and 173 ratings. At the time of her loss it is reported that she was leading MS Cyprian Prince and was showing a stern light. Some eight hours after her loss a signal was made ordering her to search for a submarine which had earlier sunk a Danish ship, the Tekla. Obviously the signal was not acknowledged and it was not until the Cyprian Prince arrived at Kirkwall that the loss became known. Why the Cyprian Prince did not report or pick up survivors is obscure. The wreck is in position 58 18N, 02 25W in 40 metres. This is 22 miles from Wick and 51 miles from Tarbat ness - bearing 110 degrees. It is marked as PA on the admiralty chart.
Nothing was known locally of the tragedy until the sea began to give up its dead. Many of the bodies were identified, a few remained unknown warriors, but whatever the circumstances all were carried to their last resting place at Wick with full military honours and followed by a mourning civilian population. The first mass funeral took place on the last day of January. The scene was most impressive. As the coffins were carried from the temporary mortuary in Huddart street to the waiting funeral wagons a pronounced hush fell on the crowd. It was indeed a solemn moment.
Fifteen ratings from the destroyer were laid side by side in one grave at Wick. One of the men buried here, Petty officer Joe O'Brien, of Harrogate, aged 27, had a distinguished athletic career and possessed an amazing collection of trophies and certificates, including 200 medals and cups for swimming, and 39 trophies for other sports.
The wreck of HMS Exmouth was discovered in July 2001 by an independent expedition. The wreck is one of those listed as a 'protected place' under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. A relatives association for the crew of Exmouth was formed in 2001, which holds services in memory of those lost. A link to the HMS Exmouth 1940 Association can be found by clicking here.