HMS "Vehement" was
a 'V' Class Destroyer, built in 1917, launched on 6th July 1917
of 1,100
tons, 34 knots and a ship's complement of 135.
On the 1st August 1918 The 20th Destroyer
Fleet sailed from the Humber to lay a minefield at the seaward
end of one the German-swept channels through their minefield in
the Heligoland Bight. All was going to plan and the force was within
20 miles of its objective when, at 23:47 hours, VEHEMENT struck
a mine and exploded her forward magazine and blew off the whole
forward section of the ship forward of the forward funnel. VEHEMENT
was taken in tow by ABDIEL and after an hour or so, and when all
fires had been extinguished, there seemed every hope of saving
the ship. However, at 04:00 hours on the 2nd VEHEMENT’s stern
suddenly rose into the air and it was clear that the tow could
not be continued. After all hull valves had been opened and the
survivors taken off, VEHEMENT was sunk by gunfire from TELEMACHUS
and VANQUISHER.
Casualties: 1 officer and 47 ratings. Her official complement was
110.
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