German submarine runs aground

A German submarine from World War I, the SM U-118, ran aground in front of the Queens Hotel in Hastings, England, in 1919 after its tow cable broke during a storm.

Submarine's wartime history

The submarine, commissioned on May 8, 1918, had operated in the East Atlantic during the war and was responsible for sinking two British ships: the steamer Wellington and the oil tanker Arca.

Submarine handed to France

After the armistice signed on November 11, 1918, Germany surrendered its submarine fleet to the Allies, and the U-118 was handed over to France on February 23, 1919, with a planned destination of destruction.

Storm causes grounding

The plan was to tow it to Scapa Flow before destroying it in France, but the sea had other plans. During the storm, the tow cable broke, leaving the submarine to run aground around 00:45 on the public beach of Hastings, directly in front of the Queens Hotel.

Efforts to move the wreck

Attempts to move the wreck using three tractors and a French destroyer, which even used its cannons, failed. It was also impossible to use explosives due to the proximity of homes. The submarine remained stranded for several months.

Tourist attraction emerges

Local authorities saw an opportunity rather than a problem, and the U-118 quickly became a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from across England, Wales, and Scotland. The city entrusted the management of the site to the coast guard, who obtained permission from the Admiralty to charge access to the submarine's deck.

Revenue from visitors

Approximately 300 pounds were collected in two weeks, equivalent to about 13,100 pounds in 2015 value. This sum was used to fund the reception of soldiers returning from the front.

Danger during tours

However, the guided tours inside the submarine proved to be dangerous. Two coast guards tasked with accompanying visitors fell seriously ill due to a toxic gas, likely chlorine, released by the submarine's damaged batteries. The exposure caused pulmonary and cerebral abscesses, and the two men died as a result.

Public visits continue

Internal visits were immediately stopped, but the public continued to visit the site to photograph the wreck from the beach.

Submarine dismantled

The submarine was eventually dismantled and sold as scrap between October and December 1919, ending the tourist interlude. The incident left a lasting mark on the collective memory of Hastings, far beyond its initial military career.