It seems almost inconceivable now, but this short stretch of Cornish coast between Marazion and St Michaels Mount should have witnessed the death of one of the Royal Navy’s most famous battleships, H.M.S. Warspite, During her 32 years service she had endured bombing, shellfire, ramming, mines and a missile attack, and fought all over the world from Jutland in the Great War, to the Normandy Landings in the Second World War. Sailors often say that a ship embodies all their hopes, aspiration and experiences, and because of this, she becomes more than just an expression of sea power, or another collection of men, iron and steel. The Warspite was certainly much more than that, and became known to everyone who served on her as ‘The Grand Old Lady’.
Laid down in Devonport Dockyard Plymouth, in October 1915, she was launched into the River Tamar a year later. Her first Captain, Edward Phillpotts, took command when she commissioned in 1915. The Warspite was one of five Queen Elizabeth class Battleships which were built to combat the threat of new faster German battleships. She was 639 feet long, had a beam of over ninety feet with a draught of thirty feet six inches and a crew which varied in size from about 995 to 1200. Her initial armament consisted of eight 15inch guns in four twin turrets, fourteen single six inch guns, two single QF three inch anti aircraft guns, and four twenty one inch submerged torpedo tubes. When she was commissioned, she was one of the most powerful and flexible super dreadnoughts afloat.
In 1916, at the Battle of Jutland, the Warspite was attached to the 5th Battle Squadron under the overall command of Admiral Beatty. She managed to to score a direct hit on the German Battle Cruiser, Von der Tan, before a stray shell damaged her steering. By the time she was back to full readiness, the German High Seas Fleet had slipped away in the rain and mist. During the battle the Warspite was holed one hundred and fifty times and had fourteen of her crew killed, with another sixteen wounded. Although seriously damaged she was still afloat and was ordered back to Rosyth. On her way she was attacked by a German U boat which missed with all three torpedo’s. Shortly after this lucky escape, she was attacked again by another U boat, which she tried to ram. The submarine however, was too quick for her and managed to speed away undamaged. It must have been with a sigh of relief that the crew safely entered the port of Rosyth. The Warspite had a revenge of sorts, as at the end of the War, she was part of the force that escorted the surrendered High Seas Fleet into internment at Scapa Flow in 1918.
From 1919 to 1939, she joined the 2nd battle Squadron as part of the newly formed Atlantic Fleet. During this time the Warspite regularly showed the Flag all over the Mediterranean reinforcing the Royal navy’s supremacy as the worlds foremost sea power. After being rammed by a Romanian passenger ship off Portugal she had some minor repairs, but it was between 1934 and 1937 that she underwent major reconstruction, giving the Royal navy a virtually new ship with much enhanced capabilities. As the Second World War unfolded, the Warspite was in the thick of it, taking a significant role in the two battles of Narvik where she destroyed the Z13 Erich Koellner with broadsides and severely damaged the Z17 Dieter von Roeder, together with the Z12 Erich Giese. Between 1940 and 1941 she became engaged in several major sea battles. In 1940 she took part in the battle of Calabria against the Italian Navy (Regina Marina). It was during this battle that the Warspite achieved the longest range gunnery hit on a moving target in history, when she damaged the Italian battleship Giulio Cesare at a range of 26 KM (26000yards).
In mid August of the same year, she was involved in the Battle of Taranto, where she was slightly damaged by a single bomb during Operation Excess. In March 1941 Admiral Cunningham took his fleet to sea against the Regina Marina on board his flagship H.M.S. Warspite. The Italian navy was supporting the German Invasion of the Balkans and had sailed to intercept Allied convoys between Egypt and Greece. Cunningham caught up with them near Cape Matapan and ordered airstrikes on the Italian Battleships to save his Cruisers from their heavier gunfire. Meanwhile Warspite, Barham, and Valient closed on the heavy cruisers Fiume and Zara and destroyed them and two destroyers at point blank range. This battle destroyed the Regina Marina’s moral, and allowed the British to tighten their grip on the Mediterranean just in time for the German invasion of Crete. Here she was used as a floating anti aircraft battery, until a 500 pound bomb dropped by Oberleutenant Kurt Ubben damaged her four and six inch gun batteries, ripped open her side and killed thirty eight of the crew. The damage was too severe to be repaired at Alexandria so the Warspite was sent to Bremerton on the West Coast of the United States of America.
After her refit in 1942 the Warspite joined the Eastern Fleet, as the Flagship of Admiral Sir James Somerville, who had commanded her in 1927. Although she was involved in various operations in the Far East against the Japanese Navy, her role was largely uneventful, and she returned to England in 1943 in time for the Allied invasions of Sicily and Italy, taking part in Operation Husky and covering the landings at Salerno. Although the Germans fought fiercely, the Italians had had enough, and on the 3rd of September signed an Armistice. Anxious to ensure that the Germans did not annex the Italian Fleet of two hundred warships, the Allies insisted that they sail for Allied ports. Later the Warspite met, and led elements of the Fleet into Malta for internment. On the 11 September, Warspite and Valiant were detached to provide support to the Allied forces at Salerno. Although the Italians had surrendered, the Germans were still determined to stop the Allied advance. Overnight the Fleet came under intense air attack, and later, three Dornier Bombers, attacked the Warspite with an early type of guided missile. This struck near the funnel, cutting through the decks, and making a twenty foot hole in the bottom of her hull. Nine of her crew were killed and fourteen were injured, but the Warspite was crippled. Escorted by elements of the Allied Fleet, and towed by tugs from the U.S.Navy, the Warspite was eventually safely docked in Malta for emergency repairs, before being towed to Gibraltar for more substantial repairs. She finally arrived back in England in March 1944 and went to Rosyth to complete her repairs.
At Rosyth, Warspite’s six inch guns were removed and a giant caisson covered the hole left by the German missile. One of the boiler rooms could not be repaired, but she had to be made ready as the main event of the War was about to begin. Every man and ship was needed for Operation Overlord, D.Day, The invasion of Europe. At 0500 H.M.S. Warspite was the first ship to open fire, bombarding the German Battery at Villerville to support the British landings at Sword Beach. After firing three hundred shells, she went back to Portsmouth to reload, and returned on 9th June to support American Forces at Utah Beach. Then on 11th June she took up position on Gold Beach to support the British 69th Infantry Brigade. By now having fired so many shells continuously the gun barrels were worn out, so she was ordered back to Rosyth, where she hit a mine twenty eight miles off Harwich, early on 13th June. Repairs to her propeller shafts took until early August when she sailed to Scapa Flow to recalibrate her armament. Used now as a floating gun battery she was sent to Ushant in time for the Battle for Brest. She shelled the towns of Le Conquet and Pointe Sainte-Mathieu before moving to the Scheld Estuary with the Monitors Erebus and Roberts. Here she cleared out the German strongholds and gun emplacements before bombarding targets on Walcheron Island. The next day she left for Deal, never to fire her guns again.
Although the War still raged, the Warspite’s part in it had ended. Time and the enemy had taken it’s toll, and newer, more modern ships were needed to continue the War in the Far East. Although there were proposals to keep her as a museum, the Admiralty finally approved her scrapping in July 1946 and she sailed from Spithead to Portsmouth to have her guns removed.
On a grey day in April 1947, the Warspite embarked on her last voyage from Portsmouth to Faslane on the River Clyde for scrapping. On the way she ran into a fierce storm, broke her tows and ended up on Mount Mopus Ledge near Cudden Point. On the next high tide she re floated herself, only to go hard aground a few yards away in Prussia Cove. The Skeleton crew of seven were all saved by the Penlee Lifeboat, but for the Warspite there was to be no reprieve. There were several attempts to re float her, but she was by now too badly damaged.
In 1950 a final attempt was made to re float her using two tugs and twenty four compressors to pump air into her hull. Watched by a large crowd the tugs were unable to tow her. One ended up on the rocks and the other got a hawser wrapped around her prop. By now it was obvious that the Warspite would never be taken to the Clyde for scrapping so it was decided to cut her up where she lay. For ease of access they manage to move her the short distance to a beach alongside St. Michael’s Mount. Over the next five years she was chopped up, until she disappeared from view.
The Walk Really this walk has two parts, and you don’t have to do then concurrently, but the distances are a bit long between the two areas, so nipping between the two by car is probably best as you can spend quite a bit of time at each, if the sun is shining. To give you an idea of where everything is have a look at this superb photo below. I did not take it unfortunately, I wish I had, and I don’t know who did, but it puts Prussia Cove, seen here in the forfront, and St. Michaels Mount in context.
Prussia Cove is a prime example of what the Cornish coast is all about, and why so many visitors come. It hasn’t changed much in years, and was once the home of the notorious smuggling, Carter family. One of then was known as the King of Prussia, and there are pubs dotted around named ater him, most notably the one on the waterfront at Fowey. There is car parking and toilets at the top and acces to the cove is by a steepish track. Takes about five mins to walk down and although there is no lifeguard, there is some life saving equipiment, so get in and have a lovely swim. There also is another momento of the Warspite at the top in the shape of a wooded spar from the ship stuck upright on the top.
Marazion is a small place but extremely picturesque, mainly because of the looming presence of St. Michael’s Mount, just a few hundred yards offshore. The town has plenty of galleries and craft shops to poke about in, and you can catch the ferry to the island from near the Goldolphin Hotel when the tide is in. Otherwise you can walk across the tidal causeway to the island, which is always something of a thrill. The island is run by the National Trust and it is well worth a visit to get to see the castle at the top. Also, from here you will get a panoramic view of where the Warspite was finally cut up.
Another reminder of those days is a memorial stone to H.M.S. Warspite on the coast path near the end of the causeway on the mainland.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Marazion, but two of my favourites are the Goldolphin Hotel which besides serving Doombar beer (my favourite), and great meals, has a stunning view of St. Michael’s Mount.
Another great pub is the Kings Arms, right in the middle of the town. Again the pub serves tasty meals and has Proper Job and Tribute beer. Between the two establishments you will be able to sample the ‘Holy Trinity’ of Cornish beer. Enjoy.
Barbara Boreham (nee Humphrey) says
My father served in the Royal Marines and was shipwrecked at Crete. He was in Alexandria hospital as he was burnt from head to foot. He recovered and went on to serve in the Royal Marines till the end of the war.
Nick Redman says
Just returned from a fantastic holiday to Cornwall, during which we visited St Michaels Mount. I noticed a teak bench on the roof terrace of the Castle and on it bore a brass plaque with inscription “this bench was created from the teak timbers of the ship Warspite wrecked in Mounts bay 1950 -56” or something thereabouts… Very nice bench! Gave nothing away as to the history of those very timbers. thanks to this website for filling the story in! Very full and informative thanks. I have a high res picture of part of the bench and the plaque if you are interested.
Nops says
I remember on childhood holidays to Cornwall the eerie sight of HMS Warstite split into 2 pieces in the Marazion Bay, about a third and the other part two thirds, until one year it had disappeared from sight…….
Richard Poole says
I was on a family holiday at the Mounts Bay Caravan Park , when Warspite was beached at Marazion in 1950. I was only 6 years old but I can remember the buzz around the camp that day.
Emma Jenner says
My grandfather served on HMS Warspite during the Battle of Narvic. This night, 77 years ago they would have been preparing for tomorrow’s raid.
John Fletcher says
Whilst holidaying with my grandmother in Portleven in 1950 I was taken as a boy of 10, by a local fisherman called Mr. Orchard in his boat, to see HMS Warspite aground near Marazion being slowly broken up for scrap, after an amazingly illustrious record of service.
John Fletcher
Woodthorpe
Nottingham
October 2017
Patricia Weatherley says
My mother’s cousin John Stevens-Guille was a mid-shipman on HMS Warspite.
A friend of John’s (Alyn Stacey) visited my mother’s home in Sydney .. possibly 1943 …
to pass on regards from John.
She remembers Alyn as an impressive fellow. They lost touch, but mother thinks he
later married a lady with the name of Mary.
If anyone is interested, I have photos of John’s mother Betty Dixon.
Mother would be interested to know more about John.
lee says
Would loved the Warspite to have been preserved either in Portsmouth historic docks or better still on the Thames instead of Belfast a real Dreadnought from both world wars unique.
Geoff Nennett says
I have an 8×6 photo of HMS Warspite when she ran aground off the Cornish coast en route to the scrapyard, taken by Eagle Aerophotos Ltd. Please let me know if you would like it.
I think it was probably purchased by my Grandfather John Bennett who served on HMS Tigress in WW1.
Hugh Carey says
My father who passed away last year at the age of 93..,William George Carey a torpedoman served on the Warspite in the North Atlantic on housekeeping duties, in Scarpa flow, and at the Battle of Jutland I do remember he had several medals….but never really discussed his experiences ! If any one can enlighten me please feel free to do so.
He also served on the His Erebus and the Swiftsure , and I remember a photo he had participating in a massive naval parade, ?? He trained at both Dartmouth and at Brighton they apparently commandeered the old girls school in as2 for Naval Training ! ? Also be was in Singapore and Australia…apparently on his Dr mob…he returned with lots of fruit etc packed in his kit bag which split open on the dockside !..rationing was in place then, I can picture him picking up the illicit items from the Dockside !
bernadette mccann says
I have a journal belonging to A.C.Mather who served on the H.M.S. Warspite in 1921. It came into my possession a few years ago. I would love to return it to his family. Any suggestions how to go about this?
Richard Bateman says
I was born in 1945 and we spent many family holidays at Mrs Nash’s B & B (Stirling House) in Marazion with views to St Michaels Mount.Memories include cricket on the hard sand by Chapel Rock if the tide was out,rockpooling at Top Tieb beach(?) around the corner,an occasional Sunday evening meal of a home baked pastie at The Fire Engine Pub.We hired bicycles from a shop in Penzance and used them to go to deserted beaches along the Coast. Church on a Sunday at The Mount when we were met at the harbour gate by an island cat who led us up to the chapel.The route was ,depending on the tide,either by foot across the Causeway or by small boat which was skippered by the man who rolled his sleeves up to ring the chapel bells for the service.Wonderful times transported to and fro Penzance by The Cornish Riviera Express with such excitement on the way down when we first saw the sea at Dawlish.
All these thoughts prompted by the stunning Daily Telegraph photo on Wed 13 June 2018 of the new RN warship lying off St Michaels Mount which I compared with my memories of the wreck of HMS Warspite being broken up on site in Mounts Bay all those years ago.
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Edward J Whitmore says
My Grandfather served on HMS Warspite and I have just recently found pages from his diary which has details of the battles and missions he was involved in. I have also found a flag from the ship.
Veronica E Williams says
I have a souvenir made from the teak salvaged from HMS Warspite. it is in the shape of a barrel with a metal plaque on it. I found it many many years ago on a stall at the Village Fete one of my favourite treasures.
Graham Sore says
My uncle C. H. Sore was one of the 38 killed on 22/5/41 of Crete
steve potter says
My grandfather served on hms warsnipe during the battle of jutland also trained on hms royal oak .
Rom says
The history of this ship reminds me of a bird of prey I once had in rehab. Battered from years of hard work but a force to be reckoned with and never to be misjudged. My bird survived to fly another day, despite pins in a wing,; maybe HMS Warspite was trying to say something when she slipped her toe. Such s pity she didn’t get the respect she had earned.
Rom, Tasmania, Australia
Robert little says
Hi my grandad served on HMS WARSPITE (The Grand old lady ) during world war 2 and my brother did a speech about WARSPITE for the royal navy as he is still in there now
Patrick Townsend says
My brother’s godfather was Charles Carrington. His father (Rear Admiral John Carrington – RAJC – he won the DSO as navigator of King George V at Jutland) was Warspite’s captain from 1 September 1928 until January 1929.
He (RAJC) headed the board of enquiry into Warspite’s collision with a rock under the command of James Somerville in 1928 (Somerville was exhonerated – the rock was held to be “uncharted”) and then captained her back to the UK for repairs. Charles said that his father told him that her steering was compromised as a result of the damage at Jutland and it was never properly repaired – I always wondered if that was one of the reasons for the grounding in Cornwall.
David Harris says
My grandfather, William Harris, served aboard Warspite throughout WWI and at the Battle of Jutland. My father told me the story about it being hit and going round in circles while under fire but it wasn’t until recently that I found out about the ship’s long service and eventual sinking. What a story and what a lovely place to end up.
Paul Easton says
My late father served on HMS Warspite in the last war and was in Narvick and the Med and talked about it often and could recall so many stories of those times and the men he served with sadly some lost in action!
I made a pilgimage a few years ago to Prussia Cove and it was a moving experience after all my father had told me and though the ship is long gone and the men who served on her a memory from a different time there is something very special about this place.
Roger Macdonald says
We were holidaying in Cornwall in 1947 and took a detour to Marizon to see the wreck some enterprising fisherman had boarded the wreck and salvaged some teak. With my pocket money I bought a miniature barrel with a brass plate. I still have it and will never part with it. Mother knew about the history of the ship and told is of its at Narvik
Christine says
WW2. Have tables made from teak from the warspite while in bremerton for major repairs. The details are inscribed on the ubderside of the 2 tables. Contact me chrissy29va at yahoo. Or chrissycurrey at gmail dot com
Andrew Wallace says
My Grandfather Thomas Dalglish Wallace served on The Warspite during world war 2.
Barry Bickley says
My uncle William (bill) Marks served on HMS Warspite during her WW2 service, he was a gunner on the anti aircraft guns when a bomb hit the ship in the Malta campaign he lost part of his ear by shrapnel, I’m currently building an airfix model of the grand old lady in his memory
Lee Saunders says
That was a great story of the Warspite, my grandad used to tell me about her. His brother Leonard Saunders died while serving on the ship 2nd August 1943, apparently while deactivating mines. I will be going down to Cornwall in the near future I will check out the cove. Thanks leesaunders40@yahoo.co.uk
Tobias Neto says
I have a bronze medal depicting the HMS woodpecker symbol and the name WARSPITE on the observe. On the reverse, a long jump athlete and the words LONG JUMP next to a date 1938.
I wonder if someone could help me to find the recipient for the medal please.
Any information will be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Graham says
We are on our way to Prussia Cove today from Marazion. My father often talked to me about the Warspite and although he did not serve on her, he saw her many times during his time as a submariner during WW2. His words were always with fond memories of the ‘Grand old lady’ . The spirit of the Warspite helped many during those difficult times
John Whitehouse says
During the 1950’s I worked at Wolverhampton Metal Company, that purchased the Warspite to salvage the scrap metal. In the breakers yard was the Derrick from the ship, which they used as crane to lift a peice of the armour plating then dropped it onto the scrap below, in order to condense the scrap, and make it easier to load into the reverb story furnace.
Douglas S Cormack says
My father-in-law Tom Lawson served on HMS Warspite during ww2 and I have many memories of the stories of battles and bravery of his ship mates .
Our family laid his ashes to rest in Prussia Cove and stood in the sea and drank a toast with Navy Rum to Honor the Ship and the brave men that served our country .
Rest in peace Tom.
Douglas S Cormack says
Further to my last post I have found a document from my Father in law Tom Lawsons memoirs presented here with no alterations.
I think you should also know Tom was on the body retrieval team and many of his shipmates were killed at this time.
WARSPITE PLACE: SALERNO, ITALY
DATE: SEPTEMBER 1942 THIS INCIDENT TAKES PLACE AFTER OUR SHIP H.M.S WARSPITE, HAD SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, FROM THE NEW AIRIAL CONTROLED BOMB USED BY THE HUN AIRCRAFT. THESE WERE CALLED CHASE ME CHARLIE, AS THEY WERE AFTER THEY CAUGHT US, CATCH YOU – – – – YOU. WE HAD THREE ALL TO OURSELVES. ONE NEAR MISS ON THE STARBOARD, A BIT TOO NEAR, NUMBER TWO A DIRECT HIT, STRIKING US ON THE AIRCRAFT HANGER, THE THIRD LANDED CLOSERE STILL ON THE PORT SIDE. THIS PARTICULAR STICK OF BOMBS STRADDLED US FINE FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW, BUT NOT OURS. WE CAN DISCOUNT THE NEAR MISS ON THE STARBOARD SIDE,THE PORT SIDE ONE DID DAMAGE TO THE PLATES FORWARD, ENOUGH TO PUT US DOWN BY THE HEAD WITH HELP FROM THE DIRECT HIT WHICH WAS A BEAUTY, STRIKING THE ROOF OF THE HANGER AND PENETRATING THAT PLUS THE MAIN DECK. THROUGH THE SIX INCH GUN BATTERY, DOWN INTO THE STOKERS MESS DECK, STRAIGHT THROUGH THAT, WHICH WAS TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, ARMOUR PLATING. INTO THE BOILER ROOM AND NEXT THE INNER BOTTOMS THEN LASTLY THE OUTER BOTTOMS, WHERE IT EXPLODED. THE EFFECT OF THE EXPLOSION CAUSED PART OF THE BOILER ROOM TO FALL OUT.
God Bless you Tom and all that served on H.M.S. Warspite.
Mark Weaver says
Thank you for this information. I have just this afternoon visited the Memorial. My Grandfather served on HMS Warspite from just before D-Day until she finally paid off. He then went to Ceylon to join the Far East fleet. This was part of his service from 1939 – 1946.
Sally Beadle says
My Grandad served on the Warspite, we have daily diaries from throughout WW11. He recorded so much.
Every time change, near miss, even days when nothing much happened. Just a few words a day however it’s remarkable reading.
His photo alum of many British ships, some afire, is something I never tire of looking at. His comments such as recording when they came under fire from Italian air craft are quite chilling. Those few words encase the great spirit of the crew.
We was a chef, not sure his rank.
His name was Kenneth Scott-Horne.
tonyjshaw says
Mary Shaw (Mullins) 2022
My father served on Warspite PO mullins and my grandad also CPO Marchment my father told us the ship sailed to USA and my father had a operation the docter said you have rocks Mullins either gaul stones or kidney stones he served on damage control not a nice job to do