Last updated at 13:29, Monday, 26 October 2009

THE wreck of a Barrow-built submarine missing for 93 years has been found.

Barrow Submariners’ Association secretary Barrie Downer said the find will bring closure for the descendants of the 33 men – including three Russians – who died aboard HMS E18.

He added that he hopes the sub will be designated a war grave and left alone.

The boat, which went missing in June 1916, was discovered on the bottom of the Baltic sea off the coast of Estonia.

Ola Oskarsson, from the marine survey company Marin Matteknik, said it was found last week near the island of Hiiumaa, some 90 miles west of Tallinn, after a 10-year search.

Mr Oskarsson said: “Apart from the damage on port side and tinier damages elsewhere, the wreck is in surprisingly good shape.”

The submarine was among British vessels sent to the Baltic Sea during the First World War on the order of Winston Churchill, to stop German shipments of iron ore from Sweden.

Mr Oskarsson said the sub appeared to have been sunk by a mine while on the surface. He said: “Legally, this wreck belongs to the owner, so only Britain can claim ownership.”

The E18 was one of a large number of E class boats built by Vickers craftsmen in Barrow. It was laid down on January 1, 1914, launched on March 4, 1915 and completed in June that same year.

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, who was killed in the Russian Revolution only two years later, gave posthumous medals to the crew of the Barrow boat.

Mr Downer said: “It is very good news because obviously it disappeared in fairly mysterious circumstances. It went out on patrol but never came back so no-one really knew what happened.

“For the descendants of the men’s families, and there are still some around, it is very good news that they now know where and how it happened.

“It would be nice to think it will now be designated a war grave and left alone.”

First published at 13:10, Monday, 26 October 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk