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HMS H42 (1917 - 1922)

H42

On 23 March 1922, HMS H42 (Lt D Sealey) was conducting Spring exercises off Gibraltar when she surfaced 120 feet ahead of the destroyer HMS VERSATILE which was steaming at 20 knots on passage for the UK. H42 was too close to allow the destroyer to take effective avoiding action and she struck the submarine, almost cutting her in two. The submarine was lost with all hands.

On 23 March 2022 a plaque was unveiled at Europa Point to commemorate the loss of the submarine and crew.

PEOPLE WHO DIED WHILE SERVING IN THIS UNIT

1 February 1922 (1)
HILLIER H J Sto 1
23 March 1922 (26)
ANDERSON H C L Sto
BARNARD G L Sto 1
BLACKWELL A W CERA
CANT A H L Tel
DALE S G Boy
DAVIS M E Tel
FOOKES W Sto 1
FOWLER R ERA 2
GAMBLEN C LS
HANSFORD J G SPO
HARRIS W G Sto 1
HARVEY E J L Sig
HAZEL W J AB
HOOPER A S AB
KEAN G J AB
McDONALD D ERA 4
OSWELL T M Lt
PARSONS G W AB
PEARCE W A AB

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4 responses

Mike Esbester

17 March 2026, 9:16pm

Hi, I've just acquired a postcard showing H42, noting the sinking, with a handwritten note on the reverse noting that two of the author's mess mates were lost when H42 sank. Happy to share the images if you'd like - just let me know. All best wishes, and congratulations on your work here, Mike Esbester

Peter Jeanneret

25 March 2025, 10:28pm

Here is the poem, kindly transcribed by Barbara Dowell The loss of H.M Submarine-H42 Twas on the 23rd March in 1922 That submarine H42 Was lost with all its crew. When six and twenty sailors British all of them. Were sent down to the bottom by A destroyer’s cruel stem. Seven miles from Europa Within sight of the coast We could not see but still we knew Each man died at his post. From Captain Sealy downwards The youngest boy as well Went down to meet his maker Inside that awful shell. Who thought that when we saw them Ashore the night before That when we wished them all goodnight We’d ne’er see them no more. Upon a few destroyers An attack they was to make They steamed out in the early morn Close in mail stones wake. Not one had thought of danger Everyone’s heart was light It’s at the captain's orders She made her dive alright. Then she carried out her practice And came up straight away H.M.S Veselate was rushing [sic – was Versatile] A few short yards away. To avoid the sad disaster Alas there was no room And twenty six of Britons sons Had gone to meet their doom. We knew that every man had gone Not one could we save As British sailors they all went Down to a sailor’s grave No tombstone marks their resting place But as the ships pass o’er the scene The men on-board send up a prayer For that ill fared submarine. The sea again has gained her toll Oh will she ever cease? God’s will be done and may their souls Forever rest in peace.
Comment attachment

Mark Wilson

25 March 2025, 12:41pm

Ms. Dowell, as a sub veteran myself, and an avid reader of all print, being able to read your Great Uncle's poem memorializing the tragic sinking of the HMS H42, and loss of life, would be an honour to be shared. Honours to your Great Uncle for his service.

Barbara Dowell

10 March 2025, 1:09pm

I have a hand written book of poetry that I inherited from my Great Uncle George who served in the British Army. In this book is a poem written by a soldier that witnessed the sinking of the Submarine H42. Is this something that you would be interested in ? If so please get in touch with me. Kind regards Barbara Dowell