HMS Goliath


The sinking of HMS Goliath was one of the most significant naval events in the Gallipoli campaign. During the night of 12/13 May, the Muavenet-iMilliye arrived undetected at Soganlldere position in the north of Morto Bay. The commander of the destroyer was Captain Ahmed. Taking advantage of the darkness of the night, the destroyer infiltrated Morto Bay and launched three torpedoes at HMS Goliath. The battleship sank in a few minutes, with the loss of 570 crew. Returning to Constantinople the destroyer was greeted with great joy and ceremony and the Sultan rewarded her crew with medals and decorations. This success was followed by the sinking of the Triumph on 25 May and the Majestic on 27 May, sunk by the German submarine U-21, commanded by Captain Otto Hersing. These threats to the Royal Navy forced De Robeck to pull back much of his ships and scale back all but the most necessary naval activity around the Straits.

Original painting held at the Naval Museum, Çanakkale.


The Gallipoli Campaign


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by Stephen Luscombe