Lyme Regis and the story of HMS Formidable

Part 3 of an October Exploration

HMS Formidable

There are stories to be told from every town. This is part 3 of my Lyme Regis series. In my research, I discovered a story which was new to me despite visiting the town many times over the years. That’s the fascinating thing about research: you look for information, and out of the blue, up pops something new. 

It’s rather like in the days before the Internet. One would open a dictionary or encyclopaedia and, before getting to the word or subject intended, would spot something else and get sidetracked. Lesson learned! I now try to make a note of something worth checking to research later rather than get sidetracked and lose time on what needs to be done at the time. 

This story involves a pub, a ship and a dog. It’s an event that happened over 100 years ago and most likely gave rise to a canine movie character.

Our story starts on December 31^st 1914, during the early days of the Great War, now referred to as WW1. Out in the English Channel, Royal Navy ships were out on gunnery exercises. HMS Formidable, on this day, had sailed out of Portland. Along with other ships participating in the exercises, she was under Sir Lewis Bayly, Vice Admiral commanding the Channel Fleet. 

After the exercises, Vice Admiral Bayly decided to keep the fleet out at sea. He thought that as the sea was rough, there would be no danger from German U-boats. This proved to be a costly error. HMS Formidable was bringing up the rear of the line of ships. This was often called the coffin position and, sadly, in this instance, aptly named.

In the early hours of New Year’s Day, at 2.20 a.m., the German U-boat, U25, was in the area and took aim at HMS Formidable. A torpedo struck the ship on the starboard side, hitting the boiler room. Captain Loxley tried to get the ship to shore, but she soon ran out of power. The ship was listing to starboard, and lifeboats started to be launched. The weather was against them. U-24 attacked again, and at 3.05 a.m., a second torpedo slammed into the stricken ship. This, too, was on the starboard side, close to the bow.

The heavy seas were making rescue difficult, along with the threat of the German submarine in the area. Two ships, the Topaze and Diamond, managed to rescue some men when the U-boat was spotted, and Captain Loxley ordered them away for their safety. The ship remained afloat for another hour and, at 4.45 a.m., began to capsize and sink by the bow. Captain Loxley remained on the bridge, along with several officers and Loxley’s dog. They went down with the ship in true Navy tradition. 

HMS Formidable had a maximum crew of 780, but according to reports, 747 were onboard. Only around 200 survived. HMS Diamond picked up 37 from the water, and a trawler from Brixham, The Provident, rescued 73 from the ship’s launch at noon. The Lyme Regis story now unfolds. A pinnace (def: A small boat, typically with sails and/or several oars, forming part of the equipment of a warship or other large vessel), after 22 hours at sea, had reached Lyme Regis. 

Miss Gwen Harding and her parents were walking along Marine Parade, around 11 p.m., towards their home after dining with friends. Gwen spotted the outline of the pinnace, and the alarm was raised. After establishing they were British and not German invaders, the townsfolk came to assist and get the men ashore. 

The Pilot Boat Inn. Image: Roland’s Travels

Seventy-one men had started out in the boat. Fourteen died and were buried at sea. Forty-eight were alive; six were dead on arrival, and three died later. The Pilot Boat Inn was made the rescue centre, and from there, survivors, if not remaining there, were taken in by others into their homes. Those requiring treatment were taken to the hospital. The landlord at the time was Tommy Atkins, who had a dog called Lassie. The story goes that Lassie was particularly attached to Mrs Atkins, who had epilepsy and would raise the alarm by barking when she had one of her epileptic fits and would lick her face to bring her back to consciousness.

One of the men, Seaman Cowan, was lying on the floor. He had been assumed dead. Lassie had other ideas and drew attention to the seaman by licking his face. He was alive! The fictional story of Lassie was published in 1940, and the first film in 1943. Is this a coincidence, or did Eric Knight, the English author, get his idea from this Lyme Regis event? Our Lyme Regis Lassie was a cross-bred collie, and locals have been convinced that the author got his idea from this event.

Truly, this event forms part of the rich history of Lyme Regis. The dead are remembered in Lyme Regis cemetery with a special memorial. See the photos below. Click on an image for the full-size view.

Memorial to those who died in Lyme Regis from the HMS Formidable. Images: Roland's Travels

It’s easy to say that in 1915 a ship was sunk by torpedoes fired from a U-boat and that hundreds died. The reality of the event over time can be lost. Each death would have been dreadful for many families and the consequences far reaching and long lasting.

The survivors, though happy to be alive, would have suffered mental scars lasting until their dying days. Looking back in history I like to consider the human stories, not just the facts of a matter. I look forward to bringing you accounts of individuals in stories I discover in future articles.

As a side note, Captain Loxley’s dog, Bruce, was washed up dead on the shore. It is buried with a gravestone at Abbotsbury.

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Read Part 1 and 2 of my Lyme Regis exploration.