Known as the Battle of May Island, this designation refers not to a conventional military engagement but to a catastrophic series of maritime accidents that transpired during Operation E.C.1 in early 1918. Occurring amidst the complexities of naval operations in World War I, this tragic event underscores the inherent dangers of naval maneuvers, even in the absence of enemy action.

The Context: Operation E.C.1 and the Ill-Fated Night

The name "Battle of May Island" derives from the Isle of May, a small island located prominently in the Firth of Forth, off the east coast of Scotland. This strategic body of water served as a vital base for the Royal Navy during the Great War, with its principal port at Rosyth being a key departure point for fleet operations.

Operation E.C.1 was a full-scale simulated attack exercise for the Grand Fleet, designed to test readiness and tactics against a hypothetical German destroyer raid on the Firth of Forth. On the night of January 31 to February 1, 1918, a substantial contingent of Royal Navy vessels, including multiple squadrons of the controversial K-class submarines, were transiting from Rosyth towards their designated exercise areas in the vast, open waters of the North Sea.

The conditions on this particular night were exceptionally treacherous. A thick, impenetrable mist, coupled with the mandatory wartime blackout (where all ships operated without lights to avoid detection by enemy U-boats or surface raiders), drastically reduced visibility to mere yards. This created a perilous environment for a large formation of ships, especially those like the K-class submarines, which were already known for their operational challenges.

A Chain of Disaster: The Collisions Unfold

What unfolded was a calamitous chain reaction of collisions, rather than a single isolated incident. In total, five distinct collisions occurred between eight Royal Navy ships within a few hours, resulting in significant loss of life and material damage. The sequence of events was complex and chaotic:

• The initial major incident involved the submarines HMS K14 and HMS K22. K14 suffered a steering gear fault, causing it to veer off course. K22, following closely behind, collided with it.
• Shortly after, the Light Cruiser HMS Fearless, leading a flotilla of K-class submarines, was forced to take evasive action to avoid the damaged K14. In doing so, Fearless tragically rammed HMS K17, which had surfaced to assess the situation. K17 rapidly sank with heavy loss of life.
• The situation escalated further when the battlecruiser squadron, following behind, steamed into the area. The battlecruiser HMS New Zealand, unable to see the submerged K17, passed directly over its sinking hull, contributing to the loss of life.
• The chaos reached its peak when several more K-class submarines – HMS K4, HMS K6, HMS K7, and HMS K12 – became entangled in a series of further collisions. HMS K4 was particularly unfortunate, being rammed multiple times, first by K6 and then fatally by the battlecruiser HMS Inflexible. K4 subsequently sank.

These incidents were exacerbated by the inherent design characteristics of the K-class submarines. These were large, steam-powered boats, built for fleet operations at high surface speeds, but their cumbersome nature, slow diving times, and poor maneuverability underwater made them notoriously difficult to handle, especially in close formation and poor visibility. Their nickname "K for Kalamity" amongst naval personnel sadly proved prescient on this fateful night.

The Human Cost and Legacy

The "Battle of May Island" resulted in a profound human tragedy. A total of 105 British sailors perished in these non-combat accidents, a significant loss of life for the Royal Navy. Beyond the two submarines tragically lost – HMS K4 and HMS K17 – three other submarines (K6, K7, and K14) and the light cruiser HMS Fearless sustained substantial damage, requiring extensive repairs.

This event serves as a somber reminder of the unforeseen perils of naval operations, even in the absence of direct enemy confrontation. It highlighted critical issues in communication, operational procedures, and submarine design during a period of rapid technological advancement in naval warfare. While not a "battle" in the traditional sense, its impact on the Royal Navy and the families of those lost was as devastating as any combat engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Battle of May Island

What was the Battle of May Island?

It was a series of catastrophic accidental collisions between Royal Navy vessels during a large-scale fleet exercise, Operation E.C.1, on the misty night of January 31 – February 1, 1918, near the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth, Scotland.

Why is it called a "battle" if it was an accident?

The term "battle" is a grim euphemism, reflecting the scale of the disaster and the significant loss of life. Despite no enemy involvement, the chaos and casualties were comparable to a naval engagement.

How many ships were involved and lost?

Five separate collisions occurred involving eight ships. Two K-class submarines, HMS K4 and HMS K17, were tragically lost. Additionally, three other submarines (HMS K6, HMS K7, HMS K14) and one light cruiser (HMS Fearless) sustained substantial damage.

What caused the accidents?

A combination of extremely poor visibility due to thick mist and mandatory wartime blackout conditions, the inherent operational difficulties and design flaws of the large K-class submarines (known for slow diving and poor maneuverability), high speeds, and potential communication breakdowns contributed to the chain of collisions.

How many lives were lost in the Battle of May Island?

A total of 105 British sailors tragically died in this series of non-combat accidents, making it one of the Royal Navy's worst maritime disasters outside of direct combat.