HMS Glatton: A Forgotten Cordite Explosion That Nearly Destroyed Dover

HMS Glatton was a coastal defense battleship originally built for the Norwegian Navy in 1912 under the name Bjørgvin. Along with her sister ship Nidaros, she was part of Norway's naval expansion to protect its extensive coastline. However, as World War I escalated, the Royal Navy acquired these ships, renaming them HMS Glatton and HMS Gorgon, with the intention of using them for coastal bombardment.

Commissioned in the summer of 1918, HMS Glatton was stationed at Dover, ready to support the upcoming offensive against German positions along the Belgian coast. On September 16, 1918, tragedy struck. A massive explosion rocked the ship at around 6:30 PM, sending a plume of smoke skyward and causing a fierce fire to erupt. Admiral Roger Keyes, commander of the Dover Patrol, and his friend, HMS Glatton’s Captain Nestor Diggle, rushed to the scene to try to save the ship and prevent further disaster.

Despite valiant efforts, the fire on Glatton spread rapidly, threatening the nearby ammunition ship, Gransha, which carried enough explosives to obliterate Dover. The situation became dire as the fire approached the aft magazine, risking a catastrophic explosion. With no other options, Keyes ordered the ship to be sunk to prevent a greater disaster. After several torpedoes were fired from the destroyers Cossack and Myngs, Glatton finally capsized and sank at 8:15 PM.

The explosion and fire resulted in significant casualties, with 60 men missing, and 124 injured, 19 of whom later died from their wounds. A Court of Inquiry was convened to determine the cause of the explosion. Several theories were explored, including sabotage, cordite ignition, and overheating of the magazine. However, the inquiry concluded that the slow combustion of cork lagging in the midship magazine likely ignited the cordite, leading to the catastrophic explosion.

Further investigations into her sister ship Gorgon revealed potential design flaws, including issues with the insulation and the presence of folded newspapers behind wooden paneling. These findings suggested that the heat from the boiler room might have ignited the materials, ultimately causing the explosion. However, the exact cause of the disaster remains uncertain, as the ship was destroyed before a thorough examination could be conducted.

HMS Glatton's wreck remained in Dover Harbor for several years before being salvaged in 1925. Today, her remains lie buried under land reclaimed for the car ferry terminal, a silent reminder of the tragic events of September 16, 1918. The true cause of the explosion may never be known, but the heroism of those who fought to save Dover from devastation remains an enduring legacy.

Intro 0:00
Background 1:42
Explosion and Aftermath 6:32
Court of Enquiry and Findings 10:51

Video on HMS Vanguard:    • The Sudden Explosion of HMS Vanguard ...  

Sources/Other Reading:

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Gun-Monito...

https://www.amazon.com/Monitors-Royal....

https://www.amazon.com/Castles-Steel-...

Video Information:
Copyright fair use notice. All media used in this video is used for the purpose of education under the terms of fair use. All footage and images used belong to their copyright holders, when applicable.