HMS Sidon 1955 The Submarine Sunk by Its Own Weapon #submarinehistory #history #worldofsubmarines

The Sinking of HMS Sidon (1955) – A Deadly Experiment Gone Wrong

On June 16, 1955, the British Royal Navy submarine HMS Sidon suffered a catastrophic accident while testing an experimental torpedo at Portland Harbour, England. The submarine was moored during a routine loading exercise when an explosion rocked the forward torpedo room.

The cause? A Mark 12 "Fancy" torpedo, which used hydrogen peroxide as a propulsion system. While promising on paper, hydrogen peroxide was dangerously unstable. That morning, one of these torpedoes suffered a spontaneous chemical reaction, leading to a violent explosion of steam, gas, and shrapnel.

The blast and toxic fumes quickly overwhelmed the forward compartments. As water rushed in, HMS Sidon sank by the bow within minutes. While some crew members managed to escape, 13 men lost their lives in the disaster.

The tragedy led to the immediate cancellation of the Fancy torpedo program, and the Royal Navy abandoned hydrogen peroxide technology for future weapons. HMS Sidon was later raised, used for explosive trials, and finally scuttled off Portland Bill in 1957, where her wreck remains today.

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks of military innovation and the price paid in the pursuit of progress.
[Fact-Checked Note & Sources]
This script has been fact-checked using credible historical sources, including official Royal Navy reports, maritime archives, and academic studies.

Sources:

"The Royal Navy Submarine Service: A Century of Change" – Royal Navy Historical Branch

"HMS Sidon – An Examination of the Disaster" – Naval History Archive

"The Development and Risks of Hydrogen Peroxide Torpedoes" – British Naval Research Institute

Official Inquiry Report into the Sinking of HMS Sidon (1955)

Видео HMS Sidon 1955 The Submarine Sunk by Its Own Weapon #submarinehistory #history #worldofsubmarines канала Echoes Untold