SM U-118

Imagine strolling along the beach at Hastings, Sussex, and coming face to face with a colossal relic of wartime history. This was the reality for the residents and visitors of Hastings in April 1919 when the German submarine SM U-118 unexpectedly became a part of the landscape. This extraordinary event turned the quiet seaside town into a bustling tourist attraction almost overnight, drawing crowds eager to witness the beached behemoth.

The Journey of SM U-118

SM U-118 was a type UE II mine-laying submarine of the Imperial German Navy, commissioned on May 8, 1918. Built at the AG Vulcan Stettin shipyard in Hamburg, she was commanded by Herbert Stohwasser and operated as part of the I Flotilla in the eastern Atlantic. Despite her formidable presence, U-118 had a relatively modest career, sinking only two ships during her service. Her first success came on September 16, 1918, when she torpedoed and sank the British steamer Wellington. The following month, she claimed her second and last victim, the British tanker Arca.

The Unexpected Arrival in Hastings

After the end of World War I, U-118 was surrendered to the Allies at Harwich on February 23, 1919. She was destined for France, but fate had other plans. While being towed from Harwich to Brest, U-118 broke free during a storm and ran aground on the beach at Hastings in the early hours of April 15, 1919. The submarine came to rest directly in front of the Queens Hotel, creating an unexpected and dramatic spectacle.

A Tourist Attraction is Born

Efforts to refloat the submarine were unsuccessful. Three tractors tried to move her, and a French destroyer even attempted to break her apart with gunfire, but the proximity to the public beach and the Queens Hotel prevented the use of explosives. With the submarine firmly stuck, she quickly became a major tourist attraction. Thousands flocked to Hastings that Easter to see the stranded U-boat, and the local coast guard took charge of the situation.

Recognizing an opportunity, the Admiralty allowed the town clerk of Hastings to charge a small fee for visitors to climb onto the submarine's deck. This initiative was a resounding success, raising almost £300 (equivalent to £18,500 in 2024) in just two weeks. The funds were used to help welcome the town's soldiers returning from the war. Chief Boatman William Heard and Chief Officer W. Moore of the coast guard gave guided tours to important visitors, showcasing the interior of the submarine.

The Dark Side of the Attraction

However, the excitement was soon overshadowed by tragedy. Both Heard and Moore fell severely ill, and their conditions worsened over time. Despite initial suspicions that rotting food on board was the cause, an inquest later determined that a noxious gas, possibly chlorine from the submarine's damaged batteries, had caused abscesses on their lungs and brains. Moore passed away in December 1919, followed by Heard in February 1920.

The Submarine's Final Days

Although tours inside the submarine ceased, the fascination with U-118 endured. Tourists continued to visit the beach to be photographed alongside or on the deck of the submarine. On May 21, 1919, the wreck was sold by the British Admiralty to the James Dredging Co. for £2,200 (equivalent to £128,000 in 2024). The company began dismantling the submarine on the beach, a process that continued until 1921. The deck gun was left behind but was eventually removed the same year. Some remnants of the submarine's keel may still lie buried beneath the sands of Hastings beach.

Legacy of SM U-118

Today, the story of SM U-118 serves as a fascinating chapter in the history of Hastings. The beached submarine not only provided a unique spectacle for the town but also highlighted the unexpected ways in which the aftermath of war can impact local communities. The tale of U-118 is a reminder of the resilience and adaptability of the people of Hastings, who turned an unforeseen event into an opportunity for communal benefit.

So, as you walk along the shores of Hastings, take a moment to imagine the awe and curiosity that filled the air over a century ago, when a mighty German submarine lay stranded on the beach, bridging the gap between wartime history and peacetime recovery in the most unexpected of ways.