HMS Formidable

MS Formidable served in the Mediterranean Fleet up to April 1908 when she was transferred to the Channel Fleet. She went to Chatham dockyard for refit from August 1909 to April 1909 joining the Home Fleet after refit and then the Atlantic Fleet until May 1912. Reduced to Nucleus crew with the 2nd Fleet at the Nore. Served between 1912-14 with the 5th Battle Squadron and was serving with this squadron at the outbreak of World War I. She was sunk on 1st January 1915 while on Channel patrol off Portland Hill by torpedoes of German U-Boat U-24, losing 547 men from her complement of 780. The ship had sunk quickly during bad weather which caused such a high loss of life. The Squadron were participating in gunnery exercises off Portland. supported by the cruisers HMS Topaze and HMS Diamond. on the night of 31st December after the gunnery exercises the fleet remained at sea, although the activity of submarines int he area would have been expected. but with the wind increasing and making rough sea which would make submarine attacks difficulty. The next day the squadron steaming at 10 Knots and just 20 miles from Star Point, HMS Formidable steaming at the rear of the squadron. at 0220. she is struck by a torpedo on the starboard side, which gave her a list of 20 degress. HMS Formidable is struck again by another torpedo 45 minutes later. the Pinnace and launch along with two other boats get away. (one of the boats capsizes soon after) The two light cruisers manage to pick up 80 men. The formidable remains afloat for two hours until 0445. the ship goes down quickly. it is seen that Captain Loxley is seen on the bridge along with his fox terrier. Near Berry head a Brixham Trawler the Provident , under captain W Piller. pick up the men form the launch before in rough seas it sink. saving 71 men. In total the loss of life of HMS Formidable totls 35 Officers and 512 men. Armament: four 12inch guns, twelve 6 inch guns, sixteen 12 pdr guns, two 12 pdr guns, six 3 pdr guns, 2 maxims and four torpedo tubes. Displacement: 15,000 tons. Speed: 18 knots. Complement: 780 (flagship 810).

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Known Crew Details :

Name

Start of Service

End of Service

Known Date

Isidoro ABBATE

0th July 1904

0th January 1907

0th 0

Timeline Entries :