This
photograph, taken in 1918, shows an aerial view of the Mole off the coast of
Zeebrugge with the scuttled naval vessels Intrepid and Iphigenia during the
Zeebrugge Raid.
 |
| Scuttle Ships Intrepid and Iphigenia during the Zeebrugge Raid |
The
progress of HMS Thetis had been snagged by German defence nets before she could
reach her planned position.
But
HMS Intrepid and Iphigenia, heavily laden with concrete and under heavy fire
from the shoreline guns, crawled into the Mole harbour and opened the scuttling
hatch lids. As the seawater flooded in, explosive fuses were lit.
The
seamen somehow managed to escape back to HMS Invincible in small motor launches.
Blockships
on the Mole Harbour
The
two blockships now closed off the Mole, hampering German passage in and out of
the harbour. After a short time the Germans dredged out another route.
At
3,600 tons in weight each, Intrepid and Iphigenia were both expendable second-class cruisers. Previously, Intrepid had served as a minelayer, a naval ship
used for deploying land mines.
Relevant Links on the Zeebrugge
Raid 1918
View Further Images Relating to the Zeebrugge Raid
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