HMS Amphion at Pembroke, 1913
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HMS Amphion was an Active class scout cruiser that became the first British warship to be lost during the First World War. At the start of the war she was the leader of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, based at Harwich. On 5 August 1914 the Harwich force put to sea to conduct a sweep of the Heligoland Bight. A trawler crew informed the captain of the Amphion that they had seen a ship dropping suspicious objects overboard. On investigation this tuned out to be the German minelayer Königin Luise. The Amphion and her flotilla give chase, sinking her by noon on 5 August. The Amphion picked up the survivors and continued with her sweep.
At 6.30am on the following morning (6 August), the Amphion hit one of the mines laid by the Königin Luise. The order to abandon ship was given, but she then hit a second mine, and sank so quickly that 148 of her crew and most of the German prisoners were lost.
Displacement (loaded) |
4,000t |
Top Speed |
25kts |
Armour – deck |
1in |
- conning tower |
4in |
Length |
406ft |
Armaments |
Ten 4in Mk VIII guns |
Crew complement |
321-325 |
Launched |
4 December 1911 |
Completed |
March 1913 |
Captains |
Captain C. H. Fox |
Mined |
6 August 1914 |