MEMORIAL: CREW OF K13 ARE REMEMBERED AT CLYDE SHIPYARD

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K13 MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FASLANE Pictured: Royal Marines Band Buglers at Faslane Cemetery during the K13 Remembrance Service Today, 28 Jan 2024, Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery to remember those who died onboard K13. Veterans, cadets and serving Royal Navy submariners gathered recently to remember those lost during an early maritime disaster. Submarine K13 sank during sea trials on the Gareloch on January 29, 1917, leading to the tragic death of 32 people on board. Over the weekend of January 27-28, the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association commemorated the 107th anniversary of the K13 disaster. The event was supported by the Barrow-In-Furness, Essex, Dolphin, and Scottish branches of the Association who headed to HM Naval Base Clyde to join members of HMS Neptune, Submarine Flotilla, Submarine Qualification Course (North), RM Band Scotland, and the Clydebank and Helensburgh Sea Cadets. As in previous years, the event was also supported by The Submarine Family. On Saturday 27 January, a service of remembrance led by Reverend Stephen Dray was held in Elder Park, Govan, adjacent to Fairfield’s Shipbuilding where K13 was built, followed by a visit to the Fairfield’s Heritage Centre. In addition, a short church service was held in the base church prior to the memorial service at Faslane Cemetery, where the majority of the crew that perished are buried. Alongside the serving and veteran submariners attending, was Mr Alistair Swift who had travelled from Aberdeen. Alistair’s Grandfather, Joe Swift survived the sinking of K13. *** Local Caption ***
K13 MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FASLANE Pictured: The congregation of Serving RN Submariners, Veterans and Sea Cadets at a church service for K13 held at the HMNB Clyde Chapel Today, 28 Jan 2024, Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery to remember those who died onboard K13. Veterans, cadets and serving Royal Navy submariners gathered recently to remember those lost during an early maritime disaster. Submarine K13 sank during sea trials on the Gareloch on January 29, 1917, leading to the tragic death of 32 people on board. Over the weekend of January 27-28, the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association commemorated the 107th anniversary of the K13 disaster. The event was supported by the Barrow-In-Furness, Essex, Dolphin, and Scottish branches of the Association who headed to HM Naval Base Clyde to join members of HMS Neptune, Submarine Flotilla, Submarine Qualification Course (North), RM Band Scotland, and the Clydebank and Helensburgh Sea Cadets. As in previous years, the event was also supported by The Submarine Family. On Saturday 27 January, a service of remembrance led by Reverend Stephen Dray was held in Elder Park, Govan, adjacent to Fairfield’s Shipbuilding where K13 was built, followed by a visit to the Fairfield’s Heritage Centre. In addition, a short church service was held in the base church prior to the memorial service at Faslane Cemetery, where the majority of the crew that perished are buried. Alongside the serving and veteran submariners attending, was Mr Alistair Swift who had travelled from Aberdeen. Alistair’s Grandfather, Joe Swift survived the sinking of K13. *** Local Caption ***
K13 MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FASLANE Pictured: Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery Today, 28 Jan 2024, Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery to remember those who died onboard K13. Veterans, cadets and serving Royal Navy submariners gathered recently to remember those lost during an early maritime disaster. Submarine K13 sank during sea trials on the Gareloch on January 29, 1917, leading to the tragic death of 32 people on board. Over the weekend of January 27-28, the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association commemorated the 107th anniversary of the K13 disaster. The event was supported by the Barrow-In-Furness, Essex, Dolphin, and Scottish branches of the Association who headed to HM Naval Base Clyde to join members of HMS Neptune, Submarine Flotilla, Submarine Qualification Course (North), RM Band Scotland, and the Clydebank and Helensburgh Sea Cadets. As in previous years, the event was also supported by The Submarine Family. On Saturday 27 January, a service of remembrance led by Reverend Stephen Dray was held in Elder Park, Govan, adjacent to Fairfield’s Shipbuilding where K13 was built, followed by a visit to the Fairfield’s Heritage Centre. In addition, a short church service was held in the base church prior to the memorial service at Faslane Cemetery, where the majority of the crew that perished are buried. Alongside the serving and veteran submariners attending, was Mr Alistair Swift who had travelled from Aberdeen. Alistair’s Grandfather, Joe Swift survived the sinking of K13. *** Local Caption ***
K13 MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FASLANE Pictured: Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery Today, 28 Jan 2024, Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery to remember those who died onboard K13. Veterans, cadets and serving Royal Navy submariners gathered recently to remember those lost during an early maritime disaster. Submarine K13 sank during sea trials on the Gareloch on January 29, 1917, leading to the tragic death of 32 people on board. Over the weekend of January 27-28, the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association commemorated the 107th anniversary of the K13 disaster. The event was supported by the Barrow-In-Furness, Essex, Dolphin, and Scottish branches of the Association who headed to HM Naval Base Clyde to join members of HMS Neptune, Submarine Flotilla, Submarine Qualification Course (North), RM Band Scotland, and the Clydebank and Helensburgh Sea Cadets. As in previous years, the event was also supported by The Submarine Family. On Saturday 27 January, a service of remembrance led by Reverend Stephen Dray was held in Elder Park, Govan, adjacent to Fairfield’s Shipbuilding where K13 was built, followed by a visit to the Fairfield’s Heritage Centre. In addition, a short church service was held in the base church prior to the memorial service at Faslane Cemetery, where the majority of the crew that perished are buried. Alongside the serving and veteran submariners attending, was Mr Alistair Swift who had travelled from Aberdeen. Alistair’s Grandfather, Joe Swift survived the sinking of K13. *** Local Caption ***
K13 MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FASLANE Pictured: Veterans taking part in the K13 Remembrance Service at Faslane Cemetery Today, 28 Jan 2024, Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery to remember those who died onboard K13. Veterans, cadets and serving Royal Navy submariners gathered recently to remember those lost during an early maritime disaster. Submarine K13 sank during sea trials on the Gareloch on January 29, 1917, leading to the tragic death of 32 people on board. Over the weekend of January 27-28, the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association commemorated the 107th anniversary of the K13 disaster. The event was supported by the Barrow-In-Furness, Essex, Dolphin, and Scottish branches of the Association who headed to HM Naval Base Clyde to join members of HMS Neptune, Submarine Flotilla, Submarine Qualification Course (North), RM Band Scotland, and the Clydebank and Helensburgh Sea Cadets. As in previous years, the event was also supported by The Submarine Family. On Saturday 27 January, a service of remembrance led by Reverend Stephen Dray was held in Elder Park, Govan, adjacent to Fairfield’s Shipbuilding where K13 was built, followed by a visit to the Fairfield’s Heritage Centre. In addition, a short church service was held in the base church prior to the memorial service at Faslane Cemetery, where the majority of the crew that perished are buried. Alongside the serving and veteran submariners attending, was Mr Alistair Swift who had travelled from Aberdeen. Alistair’s Grandfather, Joe Swift survived the sinking of K13. *** Local Caption ***
K13 MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FASLANE Pictured: Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery Today, 28 Jan 2024, Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery to remember those who died onboard K13. Veterans, cadets and serving Royal Navy submariners gathered recently to remember those lost during an early maritime disaster. Submarine K13 sank during sea trials on the Gareloch on January 29, 1917, leading to the tragic death of 32 people on board. Over the weekend of January 27-28, the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association commemorated the 107th anniversary of the K13 disaster. The event was supported by the Barrow-In-Furness, Essex, Dolphin, and Scottish branches of the Association who headed to HM Naval Base Clyde to join members of HMS Neptune, Submarine Flotilla, Submarine Qualification Course (North), RM Band Scotland, and the Clydebank and Helensburgh Sea Cadets. As in previous years, the event was also supported by The Submarine Family. On Saturday 27 January, a service of remembrance led by Reverend Stephen Dray was held in Elder Park, Govan, adjacent to Fairfield’s Shipbuilding where K13 was built, followed by a visit to the Fairfield’s Heritage Centre. In addition, a short church service was held in the base church prior to the memorial service at Faslane Cemetery, where the majority of the crew that perished are buried. Alongside the serving and veteran submariners attending, was Mr Alistair Swift who had travelled from Aberdeen. Alistair’s Grandfather, Joe Swift survived the sinking of K13. *** Local Caption ***
K13 MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FASLANE Pictured: Commander Peter Noblett, the base Executive Officer laying a Wreath at Faslane Cemetery Today, 28 Jan 2024, Naval personnel, Veterans and Cadets gathered at Faslane Cemetery to remember those who died onboard K13. Veterans, cadets and serving Royal Navy submariners gathered recently to remember those lost during an early maritime disaster. Submarine K13 sank during sea trials on the Gareloch on January 29, 1917, leading to the tragic death of 32 people on board. Over the weekend of January 27-28, the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association commemorated the 107th anniversary of the K13 disaster. The event was supported by the Barrow-In-Furness, Essex, Dolphin, and Scottish branches of the Association who headed to HM Naval Base Clyde to join members of HMS Neptune, Submarine Flotilla, Submarine Qualification Course (North), RM Band Scotland, and the Clydebank and Helensburgh Sea Cadets. As in previous years, the event was also supported by The Submarine Family. On Saturday 27 January, a service of remembrance led by Reverend Stephen Dray was held in Elder Park, Govan, adjacent to Fairfield’s Shipbuilding where K13 was built, followed by a visit to the Fairfield’s Heritage Centre. In addition, a short church service was held in the base church prior to the memorial service at Faslane Cemetery, where the majority of the crew that perished are buried. Alongside the serving and veteran submariners attending, was Mr Alistair Swift who had travelled from Aberdeen. Alistair’s Grandfather, Joe Swift survived the sinking of K13. *** Local Caption ***

By Lucy Ashton

VETERANS and serving Royal Navy submariners gathered recently to remember those lost during an early maritime disaster.

Submarine K13 sank during sea trials on the Gareloch on January 29, 1917, leading to the tragic death of 32 people on board.

Over the weekend of January 27-28, the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association commemorated the 107th anniversary of the K13 disaster.

The event was supported by the Barrow-In-Furness, Essex, Dolphin, and Scottish branches of the Association who headed to HM Naval Base Clyde to join members of HMS Neptune, Submarine Flotilla, Submarine Qualification Course (North), RM Band Scotland, and the Clydebank and Helensburgh Sea Cadets. As in previous years the event was also supported by The Submarine Family.

A service of remembrance was held on Saturday 27, led by the Rev Stephen Dray in Elder Park, Govan, adjacent to Fairfield’s Shipbuilding where K13 was built, followed by a visit to the Fairfield’s Heritage Centre.

On the Sunday, there was a short service in the base church prior to the memorial service at Faslane Cemetery, where the majority of the crew that perished are buried.

Alongside the serving and veteran submariners attending, was Mr Alistair Swift who had travelled from Aberdeen. Alistair’s grandfather, Joe Swift, survived the sinking of K13.

The Submariners Association’s Andy Knox, said: “The weekend’s events were truly humbling and a reminder of the importance of the history of the Submarine Service and the sacrifices of those that served and paid the ultimate price in support of their country.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Base Executive Officer, Commander Peter Noblett, Base Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer 1 Lee Morgan) and CPO Murray Anderson for the generous support, enabling the weekend’s events to be hugely successful.”

The steam-propelled submarine sank on the Gareloch after seawater entered her engine room.

There was a total of 80 people on board at the time – 53 Royal Navy personnel, 14 Fairfield’s employees, five sub-contractors, five Admiralty officials, river Clyde pilot Joseph Duncan, and two crew from sister-submarine K14.

A frantic 57-hour rescue mission followed with Captain of K13, Lieutenant Commander Godfrey Herbert, and Captain of K14, Commander Francis Goodhart, attempting to escape the vessel to aid the surface rescue attempt.

Sadly, Commander Goodhart died after hitting his head on the vessel’s superstructure and drowning.

Eventually an airline was attached allowing the bow of the submarine to rise to the surface and a hole to be cut in the casing to evacuate the 48 survivors.

During the service, the ship’s bell from K13 was rung 32 times, once for each of the people who lost their lives.

Picture Captions:

  1. The K13 Memorial service in the Church at HMNB Clyde.
  2. Andy Knox of the West of Scotland branch of the Submariners Association addresses those attending the Memorial.
  3. Members of the Submariners Association.
  4. The K13 bell is rung to remember those lost.
  5. Members of the Royal Marine Band Scotland.
  6. Veterans, serving RN and Cadets all arrive at Faslane Cemetery for the service.
  7. Commander Peter Noblett pays his respect at the Memorial.

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