The Wartime Memories Project - The Great War
HMS Amphion

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HMS Amphion was the fifth Royal Navy ship to bare the name. She was an Active-class scout cruiser, the first Royal Navy ship to be sunk in World War One. 5th August 1914 The Konigin Luise was sunk by the Amphion 6th August 1914 HMS Amphion hit a mine off the Thames Estuary, and was sunk, 151 lives were lost plus 19 German sailors who had been rescued from the Konigin Luise. My mother's father George Lovett was a survivor from this sinking. She is now 96 years old and would dearly love any more information as to where the survivors were taken. She has some mementos of the ship as I think her father was the purser? I would be interested in any more info that you have. Captain Cecil H Fox of HMS Amphion The official press bureau on Wednesday afternoon issued the following:- 3.30pm - at 9am on August 5th, HMS Amphion with the 3rd flotilla proceeded to carry out a certain pre-arranged plan of search and about an hour later a trawler informed them that she had seen a suspicious ship 'throwing things overboard' in an indicated position. Shortly afterwards the mine layer Konigen Luise was sighted steering east. Four destroyers gave chase and in about an hour's time she was rounded up and sunk. After picking up survivors the search continued without incident till 3.30am when the Amphion was on the return course. At 6.30 am Amphion struck a mine. A sheet of flame instantly enveloped the bridge which rendered the Captain insensible and he fell on the fore and aft bridge. As soon as he recovered consciouness he ran to the engine room to stop the engines, which were still going at revolutions for 20 knots. As all the forepart was on fire, it proved impossible to reach the bridge or to flood the fore magazine. The ship's back appeared to be broken and she was already settling by the bows. All efforts were therefore directed to placing the wounded in a place of safety in case of explosion and towards getting her a tow by the stern. By the time destroyers closed in it was clearly time to abandon ship. The men fell in with composure and 20 minutes after the mine struck, the men, officers and captain left their ship. Three minutes later it exploded. Debris falling from a great height struck the rescue boats, destroyers and one of the Amphion's shells burst on the deck of one of the latter killing two of the men and a German prisoner rescured from the cruiser. After 15 minutes the Amphion had disappeared. Captain Fox speaks in the highest terms of the behaviour of the men throughout. from the Ballymena Observer 21st August 1914 List of those who served on HMS Amphion during The Great War. Pte Jerome Cann. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d. 6th Aug 1914. Age 17) Edward Fegen Read his story Captain Cecil H. Fox Read his story Staff Paymaster J T Gedge. (d. 6th Aug 1914) The first British Officer of all the fighting services to be killed in the 1914/18 war Petty Officer J.D Towillis. (d. 6th Aug 1914) Frederick William Pound (d. 6th Aug 1914. Age 16 ) William James Douglas. Stoker 2nd Class (d. 6th Aug 1914) If you have a story or any photographs which you would like to share please get in touch. Send an E-mail to Website and ALL Material © Copyright MM - All Rights Reserved