Attack on the Mesudiye HMS B11

overview of dardanelle raid leading sinking of mesûdiye

on 13 december 1914, b11, commanded lieutenant norman douglas holbrook, entered dardanelles , torpedoed ottoman battleship mesûdiye.

a scale model of b11 in holbrook, nsw

b11 had been selected mission on hms b9 , hms b10 due having been fitted new battery. french boats @ submarine base had been rejected agreed less suitable british submarines. guards constructed on various projections on submarine s hull reduce risk of snagging on mines.

b11 started journey tenedos. before submarine reached first row of mines discovered 1 of guards had become damaged making worse useless. guard removed , attack continued. b11 had pass under 5 rows of mines through uncharted currents. passing through minefield took 5 hours. after b11 hit mesûdiye took 8 hours submarine escape attempt use periscope resulting in heavy fire.

lt. holbrook awarded victoria cross, first service in submarine, first lieutenant, sydney winn, awarded distinguished service order, , every member of crew awarded distinguished service medal.

on 24 july 1916 prize court decided submarine s company entitled prize money sinking of mesûdiye, , award of £3,500 made, of holbrook received £601 10s 2d, win £481 4s 2d, chief petty officers £240 12s 1d, , seamen £120 6s 1d. represented 3 years pay seaman. on 24 august 1915 town of germanton in new south wales, australia, renamed holbrook in honour , replica of b11 can seen there.