Mined and sunk 5 June 1915
HMS Hampshire was a Devonshire-class armoured cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was constructed at the Chatham Dockyard, Kent and commissioned in 1905 at a cost of around £900,000.
She served in World War I and fought at the battle of Jutland on May 31, 1916. Immediately after the battle she was directed to carry Lord Kitchener from Scapa Flow on a diplomatic mission to Russia. Sailing for Archangel in a gale she struck a mine at around 19:40 on June 5, 1916 off Mainland, Orkney between Brough of Birsay and Marwick Head. The ship sank very rapidly. Kitchener, his staff and most of the crew perished; only twelve men survived. The mine is believed to have been one of those laid by the submarine U-75 on May 23.
The wreck was declared a war grave. She lies in around 65 metres of water at 59°7'2?N and 3°23'46?E. In 1983 one propeller and part of a drive shaft were illegally salvaged. The prop was later given to Lyness museum, Orkney after protests.
Conspiracy theories still exist regarding the sinking of HMS Hampshire. Visit www.hmshampshire.co.uk for full information.
