As promised the link between Kapitanleutnant Schneider, HMS Formidable and Lassie.

Today's #Navalhistory thread from #FWW #history https://twitter.com/jerijerod14/status/1387828382516322314

In 1914 HMS Formidable, then part of the 5th Battle Squadron was based off Sheerness in Kent awaiting a possible German invasion but by December it was decided to rotate with the 6th Battle squadron at Portland & get some gunnery practice in.

Vice Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly took his vessels down to Portland without destroyer escort in waters considered safe from U-boats and spent the 31st December excercising his vessels before turning to Portland with an aim to arrive by the morning.

What he didn't know was that U-24 had snuck over the Dover Barrage and been operating in the area. KptLt Schneider had seen the 6th Battle Squadron pass on their way to Kent but been able to catch them & had been trying to keep up with Bayly all day.

Schneider couldn't believe his luck when a column of battleships passed over his position, He picked up on the last ship in the line and fired striking Formidable on her Starboard side abreast of her fore funnel.

In the dark no one had seen Formidable fall out of line and it took time for the light cruiser Topaze to fall back and see what was going on. Captain Loxley's men were hurriedly trying to save the ship. (Pictured Loxely directing the evacuation with his dog Bruce)

Another torpedo from U-24 hit the already stricken Formidable dooming her completely. The Heavy seas limited rescue efforts and when the ship capsized with a total of 547 men killed.

I'll be writing about the sinking in greater depth at another time so hold on to that.

So where does Lassie come in? I hear you ask....

22 hours after the sinking the Formidable's pinnace was washed ashore at Lyme Regis - originally believed by locals that she was a boat of German raiders Police Sgt Stockley & Constable Rideout rushed to the beach where they found exhausted RN ratings battling for life

The men were pulled ashore and the local people took in the men who were soaked and chilled to the bone and put them up in their houses over night. Others were housed at the local pubs including the Pilot Boat Inn @lymepilotboat

Several of the dead and those who could not be saved were laid out on the floor. The landlord's rough haired collie, Lassie took interest in one of the men, Able Seaman John Cowan nuzzling him and licking his face for half an hour.

Cowan had been pulled from the surf by Sgt Stockley having collapsed into the surf from exhaustion as he left the Pinnace and was considered to have drowned before Stockley had pulled him to the shore

He began to respond to Lassie's licks and when signs of life were seen others ran to his aid and helped finish reviving him. Cowan & Lassie became inseperable during his recovery. Lassie was awarded two medals & won the 1915 Canine Heroes & Heroines award at Crufts

Rumour has it - and it is possible - that the story of Lassie, which was widely reported in the press, made its way to Hollywood and inspired the popular movie icon.

(pictured Cowan with Lassie)

End