Everything Went Wrong - The Tragedy of HMS Thetis - Submarine Disaster (1939)

HMS Thetis was the first of Britain's T class submarines - the answer to Nazi Germany's U Boats. Seemingly doomed from the start, she sank during her sea trials, with over 100 men on board. Sitting in shallow, calm water, the rescue should have been a simple affair. But everything that could go wrong, did go wrong...... This is the tragic and controversial story of the HMS Thetis disaster.

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[ann-mariegreen]

My grandfather was on the Thetis and my mum never got over it. It really destroyed her life. We live in Australia so thank you for honouring my dear grandfather. My mum suffered so much. She passed away just recently she would love that you keep this Alive. Thank you for telling what really happened. Xx

[stuartmiller]

When a young lad's bicycle tyre failure and an over zealous painter are the weak spots in your safety process, you know you had no safety process. Another brilliant post. Thanks.

[andrewellison]

My family lived in Crosby, Liverpool at the time. My late father seldom spoke about the war but I remember him telling me about the Thetis. His take on it was that it was an example of what he termed the upper class "educated idiots" and their callousness towards the common men. Apparently this was the feeling on the ground at the time.

[efnissien]

My Grandfather was actually scheduled to have been one of the Cammell Laird crew on the Thetis, but my Grandmother apparently had nightmares of him in a small space that was filling with water, so she forbade my Grandfather to go and he swapped for a future sailing (she was a very strong willed woman).
Co-incidentally, my Grandparents were from Holyhead originally and only moved to Liverpool during the depression and moved back to Holyhead just before the outbreak of war. As kids, the shed were the bodies were initially placed was still standing (if slightly derelict) and we used to hop over the port wall to explore... it was one of the creepiest places I've ever been. Also, as a marine cadet in the local detachment, I was one of the honour guards on the mass grave on the last 'official' annual memorial that was backed by the RN in 1989 at Maeshyfryd cemetery Holyhead. The three Thetis survivors all attended (Woods died in a motercycle accident in the 40's).

[MoultrieGeek]

Of all the tragedies you have so expertly covered this one was the most shocking to me. As a former sailor I knew full well the inherent dangers of the job but never did I think my own service would be the cause of my death just to save a few pennies. How cold, calculating and utterly inhumane this is and I sincerely hope those responsible were haunted by the memories of 99 needless deaths.

[temerityxd]

One thing you forgot to add was that as a result of this disaster submarine torpedo tubes began to to be fitted with "Thetis clips" a safety device that would prevent a torpedo tube door from opening fully in the event of the outer doors being open.

[cmonkey]

Finally, an episode that doesn't involve fire! My grandfather was a submariner, and growing up I often thought of the fate of so many who perished in those iron coffins.

[usagi]

This was the most unfortunate series of events I think I've ever heard of. Everything that could possibly go wrong did.

[melbournestreetdrummermsd]

The voice of the Raven's Eye, that tone and delivery of all the details described perfectly how one lousy shamble after another resulted in a tragedy so sad and very morbid. Personally, this is the best video on the HMS Thetis dive attempt. Thanks.

[FinnishLapphund]

It's hard to believe something so simple as paint, and the painter doing the painting, affected not only 1 part of this story, without more.

[chrisedwards]

My great great uncle was an engineer for Cammell Lairds and was on board when she sank. His daughter who was a child waved the submarine goodbye with her skipping rope as she sailed for the first and last time down the river Mersey.

[robertwilson]

The announcement of the loss of the crew and visitors of HMS Thetis, opened with the statement "The Admiralty Regrets" .. This opening statement is the title of a book on the Thetis disaster by CET Warren and James Benson.

[TracyA]

What a haunting way to die! I was aware of this tragedy but I had no idea of the decision taken by the Admiralty. Those photos of the stern on the surface are beyond terrifying. Also, keep in mind that the sub looks to be at an angle of more than 45°. That alone would make rescuing the civilians on board near to impossible. I can't imagine how horrid it was for those poor souls. Incredibly well done video sir! 👍☺ A very sad subject respectfully done.

[TheGreenarrow]

Submarine tragedies hit different, since when something goes wrong you're more or less screwed.

[blackhawkorg]

Rest in Peace
Excellent presentation. Never heard of this one before either. So many channels fall short trying to tell horror stories. The truth is so much more macabre. Well done.

[RalphBrooker-gniv]

I was born and grew up in Gosport in 61. Still a close knit submarine community back then. My father, who worked at RNPL, spoke of the disaster. Dreadful. I always felt intimidated by HMS Dolphin’s diving tower. I joined the Army. I’m sorry for these losses. I couldn’t do that job. ⚓️

[stephenwilkinson]

Interesting and informative video.Been doing Family history for a few years and recently found out a distant cousin on my Mother's side, Joseph Charles Hughes was a cook on board Thetis when the accident happened.

[divinita]

That's messed up that they sacrificed all those people just to keep ONE ship that they could have probably fixed later. I really hate the people who put lives secondary to objects or other such things that can be replaced.

[one_step_sideways]

Just got recommended to watch the Ufa train disaster and i see you've uploaded a new video just 6 minutes ago. I, too, have not heard about the Ufa disaster until right now.

[stuartf]

Morning Mr Raven. Very nicely put together, edited and a great voice over. This was an awful event that was clearly survivable. They must have been terrified. Thanks. Stuart