§ Mr. A. V. Alexander(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make a statement in regard to the sinking of the battleship "Royal Oak" and also on the progress of the U-boat warfare?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Churchill)The battleship "Royal Oak" was sunk at anchor by a U-boat in Scapa Flow at approximately 1.30 a.m. on the 14th instant. It is still a matter of conjecture how the U-boat penetrated the defences of the harbour. When we consider that during the whole course of the last war this anchorage was found to be immune from such attacks, on account of the obstacles imposed by the currents and the net barrages, this entry by a U-boat must be considered as a remarkable exploit of professional skill and daring. A 687 Board of Inquiry is now sitting at Scapa Flow to report upon all that occurred, and anything that I say must be subject to revision in the light of their conclusions.
It appears probable that the U-boat fired a salvo of torpedoes at the "Royal Oak," of which only one hit the bow. This muffled explosion was at the time attributed to internal causes, and what is called the inflammable store, where the kerosene and other such materials are kept, was flooded. Twenty minutes later the U-boat fired three or four torpedoes, and these striking in quick succession caused the ship to capsize and sink. She was lying at the extreme end of the harbour, and, therefore, many officers and men were drowned before rescue could be organised from other vessels. The lists of survivors have already been made public, and I deeply regret to inform the House that upwards of 800 officers and men have lost their lives. The Admiralty immediately announced the loss of this fine ship. Serious as this loss is, it does not affect the margin of security in heavy vessels which remains ample. Meanwhile an intensive search of the anchorage has not yet yielded any results. It is clear, however, that after a certain time the harbour can be pronounced clear, as any U-boat would have to rise to the surface for air or perish. All necessary measures are being taken to increase the precautions which in the late war proved effectual. For the rest I must await the report of the board which is now examining the event in full technical detail.
Towards the end of last week the U-boat warfare, which had for a fortnight been mainly directed upon neutrals, became again intensified. Four ships, including two French ships, were sunk upon the Western Approaches during Saturday and Sunday, and three others were attacked but made their escape. The British ships sunk aggregated 13,000 tons.
On the other hand, it should not be supposed that all the losses are upon one side. The Admiralty have hitherto refrained from giving the figures of the slaughter of U-boats which has been proceeding and is still proceeding with increasing severity. On Friday last, for instance, four U-boats were certainly destroyed, including two of the largest and latest ocean-going U-boats in the 688 German Navy. Nothing like this rate of destruction was attained at any moment in the last war. During the last week for which I can give figures, that is to say to the end of the sixth week of the war, seven U-boats were sunk. If we look back over the whole period of six weeks since the war began we may estimate that 13 U-boats have been sunk, that five have been seriously damaged, and possibly sunk, and several others damaged. These figures are probably an understatement. Besides this, two-thirds of the U-boats which have been out raiding have suffered attack from depth-charges. The French Navy, which is powerful and in the highest state of efficiency, has also been active, and has certainly taken its toll, but it is not for me to give figures upon this subject.
We believe, therefore, that out of about 60 U-boats ready for action at the beginning of the war about one-third have already been sunk or seriously damaged; and of the largest and latest ocean-going U-boats the proportion is at least one-fifth. We actually hold survivors from the crews of three vessels of this highest class
We may thus take stock of the general position reached in the first six weeks of the U-boat war against British commerce, Something from a third to a quarter of the total U-boat fleet of Germany has been destroyed, and the gaps made in the skilled officers and crews cannot be speedily replaced. On the other hand, the British Mercantile Marine of 21.000,000 tons has experienced a loss of 156,000tons, by U-boat action, to which may be added 18,000 tons through mines or accidents—a total of 174,000 tons. During the same period we have captured from the enemy 29,000 tons, and have been refreshed by the arrival of new ships amounting to 104,000 tons. It will be seen, therefore, that while our Mercantile Marine remains practically unaffected by the U-boat warfare, losses have been inflicted upon the enemy which, if continued could certainly not be endured.
I cannot close my examination of the first phase of this severe sea-struggle without inviting the House to realise the intensity of the effort and devotion which has been required from all the ever-increasing hunting-craft and from those engaged upon convoy, not only in narrow waters but amid the storms of the oceans; 689 and the constancy of the merchant officers and seamen who face all the hazards with buoyant and confident determination. I feel we may commend this part of our war business with some confidence to the House.
§ Mr. AlexanderMay we on this side join with the First Lord of the Admiralty in his general tribute to the personnel of the Royal Navy and the Mercantile Marine? May we also add our very deep sympathy with the relatives of those who have lost their lives in the sinking of the "Royal Oak"? May I ask the First Lord whether he is aware, as I am sure he must be, that the circumstances which he has been bound to report are very disturbing, and that perhaps we ought to know whether, at the outbreak of the war, there was or was not a systematic survey carried out at the place quoted to ensure that it still remained a safe naval anchorage? May I also ask whether we can be assured now that during the whole of the period since that survey there have been maintained properly at all times the boom defences required?
§ Mr. ChurchillYes, Sir. The boom defences have been maintained and, of course, they are not the old defences from the last war; they have been newly placed in position. There is an inquiry sitting, which will not take very long, and I should like to have the advantage of reading its report before I go into details of this kind.
§ Commander Sir Archibald SouthbyCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this German submarine was actually sighted inside Scapa Flow; and may I ask, further, whether as soon as the report is received he will give to the House as much information from the report as is consistent with the national safety?
§ Mr. ChurchillI did not say that the U-boat was sighted inside Scapa Flow, but I have given the information which is in our possession according to the judgment we have been able to form on these events in advance of the inquiry. When the inquiry is over I shall be ready, perhaps, to answer some other questions if they will add to the information of the House.
§ Mr. AlexanderWith regard to the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's statement dealing with U-boat warfare, may we take it that the claim now being made from the German High Command that they are, in fact, in command of the North Sea is completely refuted by the summary which he has submitted?
§ Mr. ChurchillYes, Sir. There is, of course, the most effective control of all contraband and all commerce entering Germany. The North Sea is controlled effectually, so that they can derive no advantage whatever from the use of it.
Sir Nairne Stewart SandemanCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any information about the attack on Rosyth?
§ Mr. ChurchillMy right hon. Friend is going to make a statement upon that subject.