*British, WW1, HM Submarine E9 – Original Photograph*
Original Photograph of WW1 Submarine E9. This photograph originally formed part of the Lou Britton British Submarine Collection, which was acquired by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport in 2007.
Approximate Dimensions: 17.7cm x 12.4cm – (Marked on the front: Abraham & Sons, H.M. Submarine “E9”, Devonport)
HMS E9 was a British E-class submarine built by Vickers, Barrow. Laid down on 1 June 1912, she was commissioned on 18 June 1914.
Design
E9 displaced 662 long tons surfaced and 807 long tons submerged, with a length of 180 feet and a beam of 22 feet 8.5 inches. Powered by two 800 hp diesel engines and two 420 hp electric motors, she reached speeds of 16 knots surfaced and 10 knots submerged. She carried 50 long tons of diesel, giving her a range of 3,255 miles at 10 knots. She could operate submerged for five hours at 5 knots.
Initially built without a deck gun, E9 was the first of her class with five 18-inch torpedo tubes—two forward, one on each beam, and one aft—carrying 10 torpedoes. Her wireless system had a 1 kW power rating, with some later upgrades to 3 kW. Though designed for 100 feet, some E-class submarines exceeded 200 feet in service. She had a crew of three officers and 28 men.
Service History
At the outbreak of World War I, E9 was based at Harwich with the 8th Submarine Flotilla. On 13 September 1914, under Lieutenant-Commander Horton, she torpedoed the German light cruiser SMS Hela off Heligoland. Pursued by German forces, she safely returned to Harwich. Three weeks later, she sank the German destroyer S116 near the River Ems. For these actions, Horton received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
E9 was later deployed to the Baltic but was scuttled off Helsinki on 3 April 1918 to prevent capture by advancing German forces. She was salvaged for scrap in Finland in 1953.
The Jolly Roger Tradition
After sinking Hela, Horton initiated the tradition of British submarines flying the Jolly Roger upon returning from successful patrols. Inspired by Admiral Sir Arthur Wilson’s remark that submariners were “unfair and damned un-English” and should be hanged as pirates, Horton flew the flag to mock the claim. The tradition continued in both World Wars and remains part of the Royal Navy Submarine Service’s insignia today.
*Condition*
Excellent used condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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