Daily Event for December 30


An unexplained explosion caused the loss of over 400 lives, including several women and children when the
HMS Natal blew up on Dec. 30, 1915 in the Cromarty Firth in Scotland. Natal, built at Barrow-in-Furness, was
launched on Sept. 30, 1905, ten years and three months before her loss. She was a Warrior class cruiser 505' long, displaced 13,550 tons, mounted six 9.2"/47 (234mm) and could make 23 knots.

At the time of the explosion her commanding officer, Capt. Eric Black RN and his wife were hosting a party on
board the ship, the guests included nurses, civilians and several children. At around 15:20 hrs. the ship suffered
several large explosions, five minuets later she capsized taking with her over 400 souls (the exact number is
not known). The captain, his wife and ten other women and children were among the dead.

To this day no full explanation of what caused the explosion has been made, the first thought was German sabotage or even a mine, but the damage to the hull clearly showed the magazine had exploded, what is not known is why. The ship remained where she sank until the 1970's when the wreck was blown up to keep it
from becoming a navigation hazard, however much of the ship is still there and is now a protected site.

© 2007 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com


HMS Natal seen in 1907.

 



2006 Daily Event