HMS C11 (Lt C G Brodie) was on passage in company with the depot ship HMS BONAVENTURE on 14 July 1909 with 11 torpedo boats and eight other C class submarines on a Southerly course off the Yorkshire coast. It was a clear night, and all vessels were fully lit. SS Eddystone, a 3,850-ton merchant vessel with a full cargo of wheat was approaching from the South and steered to pass through the group of ships. She struck C11 and cut her sail clean away . The submarine sank almost immediately.

There were 3 survivors: the captain, the first lieutenant (Lt G R S Watkins) and AB W H Stripe. Lt Watkins was on the bridge of the submarine; Brodie was resting below before going on duty. AB Stripe was also below. Brodie tried to rouse the sleeping crew but those he woke were unable to exit against the ingress of water. Brodie did manage to exit the boat and found himself swimming in the water next to Stripe who was the only other man to escape from inside the submarine. Brodie asked Stripe if he was alright. Stripe replied cheerfully "Don't worry about me, sir" . Brodie also assisted Watkins who was struggling in heavy clothing. Brodie subsequently enjoyed a successful career and reached the rank of Rear Admiral.

C11's wreck, in good condition, was discovered by divers in late 1990.