Cruiser · lost 1915 · Highland, United Kingdom

HMS Natal

The Admiralty first feared a U-boat, then concluded that a cordite fire had reached HMS Natal's magazine, the same kind of explosion that destroyed other British warships at anchor during the war. On 30 December 1915 the Second Cruiser Squadron's armoured cruiser lay at anchor off Cromarty, wives and children aboard for Captain Eric Back's film show, when fire broke out and her magazines blew up.

She capsized almost at once, with heavy loss of life; tugs and warships pulled more than 300 men from the water. Her upturned hull stayed in the firth for the rest of the war, and salvage went on into the late 1970s. Her scattered remains lie in about 15 metres, marked by a buoy.

StatusWar graveStatusProtected sitePermitRequired
Type
Cruiser
Lost
1915Explosion
Length
153.9 m22.3 m beam
Depth
15 m
Location
Highland, United KingdomMoray Firth

4 of 5 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 25 of the 153 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost 1915 · Explosion · Highland, United Kingdom.

Back from a refit at Cammell Laird, she had rejoined the 2nd Cruiser Squadron and sailed with it to the Cromarty Firth. At 3.25 pm on 30 December 1915, while some of her men were ashore at a football match against local soldiers, she signalled a fire aboard; her ammunition exploded, and the cruiser Shannon soon reported her turned over with her bilge keel showing.

Among the dead were officers' wives, three children and nursing sisters from the hospital ship Drina.

Lost 1915, explosion.

Condition of the WreckScattered.

Intactness

Part of her stayed above water and was saluted by passing warships. Salvage plans in the 1920s and 1930s came to nothing, and in the 1970s the wreck was cut down so it no longer endangered shipping.

Notable Features

  • Boilers

Regulations and RestrictionsWar grave · Protected site · Permit required.

Diving prohibited without permission: designated war grave. A permit is required to dive this site.

Sea-Surface Temperature by Month

Sea-surface temperature at the position of HMS Natal, by month. Monthly mean sea-surface temperature at the wreck's position, 2015–2024 (NOAA JPL MUR SST v4.1).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Surface temp7.2°6.2°6.1°7.5°9.9°11.6°13.5°14.2°13.3°11.7°10.2°8.7°

Additional Details10 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Builder
Vickers, Sons and Maxim Ltd. Shipyard, Barrow
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
1915
Latitude
57.69° N
Longitude
4.09° W
Water body
Moray Firth
War grave
Yes
Protected
Yes
Permit required
Yes
Condition
Scattered

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.

  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Historic Environment Scotland.
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.
  • JPL MUR MEaSUREs Project. GHRSST Level 4 MUR Global Foundation Sea Surface Temperature Analysis (v4.1). PO.DAAC. https://doi.org/10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04

A further 5 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.

Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HMS Natal?

HMS Natal is the wreck of a cruiser, off Highland, United Kingdom, at 15 metres. HMS Natal was destroyed by an explosion in 1915.

How deep is the HMS Natal?

HMS Natal lies at approximately 15 metres, Moray Firth, Highland.

How did the HMS Natal sink?

HMS Natal was destroyed by an explosion on 1915, off Highland, United Kingdom.

Is the HMS Natal protected?

Yes. HMS Natal is recorded as a war grave.