HMS Baralong
HMS Baralong
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
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| Name: | Baralong |
| Builder: | Armstrong Whitworth & Co, Low Walker |
| Launched: | 12 September 1901 |
| Commissioned: | April 1915 |
| In service: | 1915-1916 |
| Fate: | de-commissioned Nov 1916 |
| Notes: | Converted to Q-Ship at Barry Docks |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | cargo liner |
| Tonnage: | 4192 grt |
| Length: | 360 ft (110 m) |
| Beam: | 47 ft (14 m) |
| Height: | 28.347 ft (8.640 m) |
| Propulsion: | steam triple expansion |
| Speed: | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Armament: | 3 × 12-pounder naval guns |
HMS Baralong, also known as HMS Wyandra was a Royal Navy warship that was active during World War I. She was a "Special Service Vessel" (also known as a Q-ship) whose function was to act as a decoy, inviting attack by a U-boat in order to engage and (if possible) destroy it. Baralong was successful on two occasions in her career, sinking U-27 in August 1915, and U-41 in September 1915; however both these actions caused controversy, particularly the first, being referred to as the Baralong incidents.
Baralong was built in 1901 as a "three-island" steam cargo liner and had an uneventful peacetime career with Bucknall Steamship Lines (later Ellerman & Bucknall Line) before the start of World War I. Initially requisitioned by the Royal Navy in August 1914 as a supply ship, in 1915 she was commissioned into a special service vessel. She was armed with three 12-pounder guns in concealed mountings, equipped with devices for simulating damage, and other modifications fitting her for her role. She was manned by a volunteer crew and commanded by Cdr Godfrey Herbert, an experienced submariner in the role of "poacher turned gamekeeper". The work was carried out at Barry Docks and was completed in April 1915.
Baralong spent the next four months patrolling the Southwest Approaches, seeking to invite a U-boat attack. On 19 August 1915 she received a distress call from the passenger liner Arabic which was under attack, and headed towards the location in an attempt to engage the U-Boat responsible. After several hours she encountered the British steamer Nicosian, which was carrying munitions and mules, and under fire from a German U-boat, U-27. At the time Baralong was flying the neutral US flag and closed with Nicosian, signalling she intended to pick up survivors. As she approached, U-27 passed behind the stern of Nicosian. Herbert had Baralong’s guns cleared away, and the flag replaced with the White Ensign whilst she was obscured from view; when U-27 emerged from behind the bow of Nicosian she was met with a hail of gunfire. Baralong scored 34 hits with her main battery, as well as machine gun and small arms fire, and U-27’s crew abandoned ship as the U-boat sank. Baralong manoeuvred to pick up Nicosian's crew, while the men from U-27, instead of surrendering, made for Nicosian in order to board her. Baralong’s men fired on them, killing most as they swam or climbed to Nicosian's deck. A party of Germans who gained the deck disappeared below, and Baralong landed a boarding party, who sought them out and dispatched them. When some American members of Nicosian’s crew (mostly employed as muleteers) returned to the US the story became known, and the German government alleged the Baralong’s crew had committed an atrocity. The dispute continued for some time, and became known as the Baralong Incident.
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