The Savan Incident 1918

On 12th March 1918, shortly after 4.40am, while proceeding west past Portland, Captain Haylett's ship, the Savan (above, in her wartime camouflage), was torpedoed on the starboard side. The engine room and hold number three, aft of the bridge, began to fill with water and the ship settled by the stern. Captain Haylett ordered the crew to abandon ship, but they kept the boats tied to her until, at first light, they could see that she hadn't settled any further, so Captain Haylett, the pilot, the Chief Officer and ten crew returned to the ship and, with the assistance of trawlers and tugs, managed to beach the Savan in Portland harbour.

Sadly, the second engineer, who was on watch in the engine room at the time of the torpedoing, was lost. A greaser, the last person to see him, suffered burns.

Ernest Haylett's full report of the incident can be downloaded by clicking here.

Captain Haylett was awarded a Lloyd's medal for his actions that day, as well as £100 by the Admiralty - a substantial sum in those days. The pilot, and some of the officers and crew, were also awarded sums of money.

The award was presented at Scrutton's offices in London. The above is the letter written by Ernest asking them to thank Lloyd's for the award.

I'm not sure why Ernest acknowledges an award for £50: the citation clearly states £100!