After more than a century lying concealed beneath the seabed, the wreck of the HMS Hawke has been rediscovered in an extraordinary state of preservation. The British battleship, torpedoed by a German U-boat on October 15, 1914, during World War I, had been lost to history until recent underwater explorations by specialist divers from Lost In Waters Deep and Buchan Divers brought it back into the public eye. The find has stirred both historical intrigue and a poignant reflection on the sacrifices made by its crew.
The HMS Hawke, a formidable vessel in its time, sank rapidly after being struck by the torpedo, with the ship disappearing beneath the waves within seven minutes. Will Schwarz, a lead diver in the discovery team, described the state of the wreck as “absolutely beautiful,” noting that the ship's guns were so well-preserved they appeared almost polished. This remarkable condition of the armaments and other ship components is unprecedented given the wreck's century-long submersion.
The loss of the HMS Hawke was a significant event in naval history, as it resulted in the death of 524 sailors, including many young cadets. The ship’s rapid descent into the depths was likely exacerbated by an explosion in its magazine, where ammunition was stored. Schwarz highlighted the tragic loss of young lives, noting that the youngest sailor who perished was a 14-year-old cadet, emphasizing the heavy human cost of the war.
To locate the wreck, Lost In Waters Deep and Buchan Divers employed a combination of historical research and advanced underwater technology. The teams meticulously reviewed logbooks from the German U-boat responsible for the attack and records from ships that survived the torpedo strike. They analyzed admiralty charts to narrow down potential locations and conducted seabed scans in the identified area. Their efforts culminated in the discovery of a large object on the seabed that closely resembled a ship's silhouette.
Diving to a depth of 110 meters (361 feet), the team was limited to brief exploration periods due to the challenging conditions. Despite this, their observations included various artifacts from the ship, such as crockery, bridge equipment, and navigation tools. The preservation of these items, along with visible elements like the ship’s teak decks, provided further confirmation of the vessel’s identity.
Although the divers did not retrieve conclusive identifying features such as a named bell, their findings strongly suggest that the wreck is indeed the HMS Hawke. The vessel’s alignment with the specifications of an Edgar-class destroyer, combined with its location, supports this identification. Future dives may aim to recover additional evidence to definitively establish the ship’s identity, but the team is confident in their conclusion.
The rediscovery of the HMS Hawke not only enriches our understanding of maritime history but also serves as a somber reminder of the wartime sacrifices made by its crew. The ship’s state of preservation offers a unique glimpse into early 20th-century naval warfare and the enduring legacy of those who served. The find stands as a testament to the rigorous efforts of modern maritime archaeologists and divers in uncovering lost chapters of history.
