HMS L24

Built as a minelayer to carry 16 mines. Thanks to Dreadnought of the WNS Forum for the following post of information about L24: In January 1924 L24 was detailed to take part in Exercise GA, with several warships, in the English Channel off Portland, Weymouth. The intention of the exercise was to improve submarine tactics in dealing with aircarft, both friendly and hostile. On 10th January HMS Resolution, a 29,000-ton battleship, left Portland bound for the exercise. After several hours at sea a lookout on board the Resolution reported a disturbance on the surface ahead and at 11.13 a slight bump was felt. Shortly afterwards L24 was reported missing and salvage vessels were dispatched to the area in worsening weather. Unfortunately night soon fell and the weather the next day prevented any further search and by the 12th, all hope of finding survivors had to be given up. The Resolution was checked for evidence of a collision, her chain was found to be fractured at the very bottom and this was taken as evidence of a collision. It is believed that L24 was submerged at periscope depth carrying out manoevures after having carried out a mock attack on another ship and unaware of the Resolution’s position. It is then thought that as she started to surface she suddenly became aware of the looming battleship. A crash dive was probably attempted but L24 was unable to avoid the battleship. All 43 officers and crew were lost. The whereabouts of L24 is known and divers report that her hydroplanes are set to hard dive, presumably as she desperately tried to take evasive action. A hatch is apparently open and there is obvious damage to her hull where the 25,000 ton ship sliced through it.

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