The Tragic End of HMS Barham - The Sinking of HMS Barham 1941

On the 25th of November 1941, the Royal Navy’s 1st Battle Squadron consisting of HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Valiant and HMS Barham along with 8 destroyers were on a hunt in the central Mediterranean looking for Italian convoys.
Also on the hunt was a German U-Boat and their paths were on a collision course. A collision that would send HMS Barham to the floor of the Mediterranean Sea along with over 800 of her crew.
HMS Barham had begun her service with the Royal Navy during World War 1 and played a role during the Battle of Jutland.
Following World War 1, HMS Barham had several refits and operated in the Atlantic Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet during the inter-war years.
During World War 2, HMS Barham took part in the the Battle of Dakar before taking part in escort convoys in the Mediterranean.
In November of 1941, during an escort mission, HMS Barham was attacked by U Boat U-331 under the command of Hans-Diedrich von Tiesenhausen.
The attack caused a huge explosion in her magazine and rapidly sank, killing over 800 men.

[@edwinlamont4187]

I had an uncle on board her, he still is. I never met Uncle Charlie, he was a stoker, that's about all I know. Thank you for a respectful and informative video.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're very welcome.

[@Digmen1]

Wow. My uncle Bill was also a stoker and he went down on the Hood. My mother said that he was so proud to serve on Hood. Such brave young men!

[@TheWGLOVER]

My Uncle Patrick, also a Stoker, also perished.

[@Digmen1]

I wonder why they still called them stokers on oil fired ships!.

[@akashahuja2346]

@@Digmen1 why do the call them sailors long after steam superseded sail?

[@lizkayoutandabout]

My uncle went down with HMS Barham. My mum told me that he had just come off watch and had gone below not long before the torpedoes hit. There is also a memorial in the Royal Naval Cemetery in Lyness, Hoy to the men who lost their lives from Barham in the Battle of Jutland. I remember sitting as a ten year old with my mum watching All our Yesterdays or World at War when she started crying. They were showing the sinking of HMS Barham.

[@ingerlander]

I recall as a kid of your age, watching my mother cry on remembrance day as she had lost her brother at Anzio. He died on his 19th birthday. There must have been tens of thousands of us watch our mothers cry. They were as stolid as our menfolk but with bigger hearts as is the case with all mothers

[@ritchieblackmore2711]

God bless your brave brave uncle

[@jamescampbell7780]

My late father served on HMS Jervis and witnessed the massive explosive and sinking .That scene stayed with him for the rest of his life! RIP and thoughts to the survivors and families.

[@silasfatchett7380]

There was a clip of the sinking of the Barham included in the title sequence of the TV series "The World at War". My late Father-in Law survived the sinking and was able to point to himself escaping down the ship's side. The Barham was the first of three sinkings which he survived.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

3 sinkings, wow! He went through a lot.

[@Hanaa_ishere]

What was the other two sinkings he survived?

[@silasfatchett7380]

@@Hanaa_ishere Unfortunately, neither my wife nor I can remember.

[@reuireuiop0]

Cool story. Reminds of that famed nurse, who survived the sinking of both the Titanic and the Britannic, plus another one. One cannot call it luck, but life does have a special place for people like her and your late father in law

[@steveperreira5850]

He must have got used to sleeping with his life jacket on. I joined the Air Force, I am terrified of being a victim of a ship sinking.

[@kenowens9021]

The cameraman had just started filming when the ship was turning over. He was professional enough to keep filming when the ship exploded. Most people would put the camera down, but he was focused enough to keep filming. The film wasn't released until after the war.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

The camera man did an excellent job of recording this awful event.

[@fredericksaxton3991]

@@TheNorthernHistorian Has the film been computer colourised? I have seen it many times but only in black and white.

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

@@fredericksaxton3991 : Aye it has been.

[@jimtuite3451]

@@fredericksaxton3991 Cheapens it by colourising ...should have used the original black & white in my opinion

[@jeanscriven6464]

My uncles, twins James and William Littleford, died on the HMS Barnham. Heartbreaking to see the footage.

[@ME-ke7qc]

everyone had a uncle and grandfather on this channel..died on hms barham..i mean everyone...rip to your uncles

[@robertthomas3777]

Lest we forget. 🇦🇺🦘👍

[@jetpigeon8758]

My father's best friend "Harold Blackwell" known as "Max" was a stoker on board HMS Barham, and he was on board when she exploded, this really affected my father, and my brother was named Max in his honour.

[@tobyraffles]

My Uncle - William Dodsworth, from West Hartlepool, was one of the few that survived the sinking of HMS Barham, like so many men that came back from the war, he suffered bad health due to the sinking. He died a few years later, in the old Ministry of Pensions Hospital at Dunston Hill, in Gateshead, from health issues caused by the sinking.

[@iainmalcolm9583]

Good to hear the actual HMS Barham story. The clip of her capsize & magazine explosion gets shown for almost every warship that has ever been sunk.

[@cymru507]

A sidebar to this interesting video clip: I met the daughter of one of the crew lost on HMS Barham a few months ago in Victoria, British Columbia. Our conversation led to her experiences during WWII in England. Laura was born in 1938 and lived in poverty in East London with her mum and siblings. Her Dad had enlisted with the Royal Navy and joined the crew of HMS Barham when war broke out. Consequently Laura never really knew her dad. At the onset of the Blitz, Laura and her family were billeted out to a home in West England. Unable to live under the severe restrictions placed upon them by the landlady, Laura's mum opted to return to East London where they endured relentless bombing by the Luftwaffe. It was during that time when news arrived of her father's death aboard HMS Barham. Laura is aware of the clip showing the battleship exploding, but has not brought herself to being able to watch it.

[@ingerlander]

A touching story

[@evilstorm5954]

Must’ve been a really nice place to be billeted to choose going back to be bombed over staying there. My Nan went through the blitz in Coventry, while my Grand father was a Royal Marine manning AA guns at the time.

[@mbryson2899]

I'm glad that KZbin's algorithm suggested this video. I found it to factual without being dry or boring, the images were pertinent, and the narration was clear and pleasant to my ear. I'll certainly check out the rest of this channel's offerings.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you very much. My channel is quite new and still developing so receiving comments such as yours is very helpful in letting me know that what I am creating is working and building an audience. It's very much appreciated.

[@javiergilvidal1558]

@@TheNorthernHistorian Where's your accent from? Scotland? Excellent video! Subscribed!

[@kougerat5388]

@@javiergilvidal1558 His accent is from the North East of England, Not far from Scotland !

[@javiergilvidal1558]

@@kougerat5388 Thanks. The variations of English accents is mind-boggling!

[@robertbruce7686]

Ditto

[@waynesimpson2074]

Thanks The Northern Historian, from one Geordie to another. My Granddad is in A turret, able seaman, gun loader John McHugh. He survived otherwise I wouldn't be typing this. The demise of the Barham is pitifully cruel when you look in to the finer details: It's difficult to comprehend the desperate catalogue of sequential horrors experienced by the survivors. The torpedoes blast, the magazine detonation, the barnacle injuries, the ghoulish rain of heads which often occurs after bomb blasts involving human bodies then the final insult: The flotsam from the sunken ship ,accelerating up from the depths, generating extreme blunt force trauma injuries to those floating above. My Grandad had to have his lungs pumped out due to being unconscious in the water inhaling fuel oil...and he was one of the lucky ones! The more you research the worse the situation appears. RIP to those boys.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Your Grandad went though a horrific experience and is indeed one of the lucky ones. We will truly never know what those young men really experienced but I am trying to keep their stories and their memories alive. I'm a former serviceman myself as well as a fellow Geordie.

[@waynesimpson2074]

@@TheNorthernHistorian I'm writing a book about my Granddad and his struggle. I applied for his service record and it lead to this Barham story, very humbling. I'm 30 thousand words in and your video inspires me to finish it. Thank you.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

@@waynesimpson2074 Glad to have helped. Good luck with your book.

[@skipdowning2328]

Thank you for your Granddad's service

[@sultanpoppa3735]

@@waynesimpson2074 Please post when your book is ready.

[@dovidell]

I forget how many times I have seen the explosion of HMS Barham ( sometimes mislabelled as other battleships ) on various videos , and this is the first time I have actually seen the history of the ship , you have now closed a circle - may the memory of those lost on the 25th of November 1941 , be commemorated forever

[@PaulFellowsGuitarist]

My uncle sadly died on board. My grandmother apparently had a premonition of the ships sinking as he left home at the age of 21. She just said to my aunt at the time "We won't be seeing our Albert again".

[@dogcarman]

I really like how you stay focused on the ship, leading us through the battles and other happenings of her life, while resisting constantly zooming out to the big picture. There are plenty of Big Picture channels on KZbin and they often lack the feeling of continuity that comes with the kind of story you’re telling.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks, it is one of my aims when I script these videos. The temptation to go off an tangents is there but I do try to remain focused.

[@paulflak2823]

As a historian formerly with the Cdn military I am thoroughly impressed with your reference to the battle of Dakar, at little point in history that needs to be explored.

[@TricksterDa]

My heart goes out to the families of the gallant sailors who lost their lives aboard this most unfortunate of dreadnoughts. The film of the catastrophic explosion that sent HMS Barham to the bottom is one of the most famous of WW II and has been shown all over the world. It is even stock footage for Hollywood films and is likely to turn up unexpectedly as part of programming completely unrelated to the history of the war. Imagine having lost a loved one and seeing the last moment of his life replayed over and over again, sometimes crashing into your consciousness at the most unexpected moment. For us, that film may be a vivid record of a stunning moment in history, but for the families of the lost it must have been like the further reopening of a wound never allowed to heal. My prayers and sympathies go to them as much as to the sailors who never made it back home.

[@rossbrown6641]

These 'gallant sailors' were lambs to be slaughtered while the Admiralty safely ashore ate turkey and guzzled gin. Unbelievable - well, almost.

[@sabrekai8706]

Interesting note: My father was a cadet in the Kriegsmarine at the time and was with Von Tiessenhausen on U-331 for his cadet cruise. He basically kept out of the way during the attack but remembered distinctly that the boat almost popped to the surface as the torpedoes were fired because they were a bit slow on flooding to counter act the loss of weight. He returned back to Germany for another year at Flensburg, then was posted to Danzig and was there during construction of several boats. Got some great photos of the commissionings. He finally ended up as 3rd watch officer on U-969 in the Med. The boat was sunk at the dock and as he described it, the crew ran of a town as the Americans were coming in the other side and "Was chased all the way back to Germany". By that time the war was going in the toilet and there were not enough boats for him to get another one. They put him into infantry training for a few months and was then handed a company and sent to the Hurtgen Wald (the Americans called it Green Hell). He was in a bunker somewhere just south of Vossenack and was badly wounded in the battle and was evaced to Berlin where they managed to save him. He just got out of Berlin before the Soviets surrounded it.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Fascinating, thanks so much for sharing .

[@davidrochester7321]

Thank-you

[@joachimguderian4048]

375 meters…..that’s a ballsy attack by that Uboat Skipper as that’s crazy close for a torpedo attack. Seen that explosion a bunch of times, never ceases to amaze with the power of it. Poor Barham just blew her guts out for sure. RIp to the crew killed

[@rosiehawtrey]

Boilers by the look of it. Cold water and boilers is a bad combination because the metal gets so cold so fast the metal gets brittle and contracts. If I remember the pressure of the steam was something like 600psi in standard trim. I'd hate to imagine the point pressure when the water hit.

[@maisonraider4593]

@@rosiehawtrey It was the ammunition magazines that exploded, not the boilers.

[@ronti2492]

Really excellent video Northern Historian( s)! You have done honour to the crew who lost their lives with your excellent editing, commentary, and appropriate selection of music at the end. That film of the Barham turning over and exploding is one of the most terrible films to come out of the war, I cannot stop thinking about the blokes trapped inside. Coming on the heels of the sinking of HMS Hood in May 1941, the Admirality were afraid of the effect on public morale; maybe fair enough, but not fair to the families who were hoping to see their loved ones again. Those battleships were the 'ICBM's of their time, symbols of prestige and power but- oh, so vulnerable!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much Ron. I am pleased how this one turned out. As a former serviceman I will always give as much respect as possible to those who took part, on both sides.

[@BatMan-xr8gg]

The only blessing for them is that in such a huge explosion, death would have been instant, no suffering. That is what all Military personal want, if they are going to die, make it quick.

[@nicholasmaude6906]

Most of the men still alive inside the Barham when it rolled over would've been killed instantly by the concussion from the 15" magazine detonation.

[@rob5944]

Those battleships also starved Germany in the first world war and helped protect convoys in the second of course.

[@sapienthaggis3466]

My Grandfather William Horne Fraser served aboard HMS Barham , he was one of the lucky ones he ran up the hull as she went over dragging his mate cookie with him . I still have his Barham Survivors Association badge . I want to thank you for this video as he never went into much detail of that day as it was too emotional for him . Now as I myself am a lot older I understand so much more than I did as a kid .

[@rob5944]

Yes we do that.

[@ivanlussich8146]

I am from Uruguay, 84. I understand the film of the HMS Barham sinking (black & white, later artificially coloured) was shot by a war correspondent aboard another warship; most impressive scenes I have ever seen on the WW2 subject.

[@sophiepaterson7444]

Why is it that Barham received so little attention compared with other ships? She served with bravery and distinction. She and her crew deserve better.

[@ironmantooltime]

Because Warspite made her look like a little bitch.

[@sophiepaterson7444]

@@ironmantooltime that's hardly fair. The crew of Barham died for their country. Their sacrifice is just as worthy as anyone else's.

[@ironmantooltime]

@@sophiepaterson7444 this is true, but Warspite was a complete badass

[@sophiepaterson7444]

@@ironmantooltime no question there. 👍

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

@@ironmantooltime Show some reverence. It could've been Warspite there... it just came down to circumstance. I know what you're saying, but HMS Barham and her crew were out there hunting down the enemy, not cowering.

[@davesamatvillagecabs8658]

Omg I wish you'd posted this last year while my uncle frank loy was still alive. He served on her but fate had him sent to gunnery school 2week previous to her sinking. Finished his service on MTB's from weymouth. I must visit the memorial.

[@Choober65]

We shall not see the likes of them again. RIP to all who fought for freedom in WW2 whether they died in combat, or of old age. HEROES ALL!

[@ingerlander]

Well said

[@margaretknott2618]

My father in-law survived the bombings aged 16. He was in a documentary about what happened. Unfortunately I can't find the documentary. X

[@Rhodie56]

Thanks very much, my dad was on HMS Barham from 1937 until 1941. While Barham was in Durban my dad met and married my mom who was a South African. A couple of days before Barham was due to return to the Med my dad was knocked down by a speeding car and very seriously injured and so Barham left Durban without him. I grew up with loads of stories about life on this ship, she was definitely my dad's favourite.

[@unclestuka8543]

Did Mum and Dad ever go back to South Africa ? my aunt was stationed there and never went back to GB.

[@Rhodie56]

@@unclestuka8543 My dad finished off his service with the RN in 1947 then went back to South Africa and in 1948 moved to what was then Southern Rhodesia, (now Zimbabwe) where I was born. It's a long interesting story. In 1993 I emigrated to the Uk and my dad and mom followed soon after.

[@unclestuka8543]

@@Rhodie56 Thanks Ian, I guessed your Mum and Dad returned to ZA . It was a different country then. In the end my aunt returned to GB. ( I had some great times in P.E. and Durban )

[@Rhodie56]

@@unclestuka8543 Interesting, we used to holiday in Durban when I was a kid, that beachfront was fantastic. Funnily enough, the last place my mom and dad lived in SA was PE.

[@unclestuka8543]

@@Rhodie56 BA opened a direct flight from LHR to Durban then covid hit ! Happy days. Cheers stay safe.

[@lukefig3530]

I love new Content creators like this that share history that has been forgotten. Give a whole new perspective

[@davidpoirier2564]

Well done video. Such a tragedy to the Royal Navy and the families. It still amazes me that anyone could survive that explosion

[@rosiehawtrey]

The trick is explosion and shock wave go up. Some people have survived shells mortars or landmines because they were laid flat on the ground - including things like SC250/500 bombs. It's one of the reasons veterans are veterans - they don't stop to think what the strange whistling noise means... They just dive for the ground.

[@BIG-K]

Thank you for this very interesting and comprehensive account. My Dad's brother Fred Talbot was the ship's blacksmith and was sadly lost during this action.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're welcome

[@frostyflowers4207]

The names off the lost hero's have a special place at Southsea memorial

[@pauladiggle7983]

My husband's half uncle Eric Diggle Dodds was also blacksmith and died aged only just 20

[@BIG-K]

@@pauladiggle7983 Shipmates to the end. Such a sad event. It's nice of you to have posted, Paula - another link to the past. Best wishes, Keith

[@pauladiggle7983]

@@BIG-K It just breaks my heart every time I watch the film of the Barham. I have one photograph of Eric in his naval uniform so at least we know what he looked like.

[@TheGeezzer]

May all those that lost their lives RIP. 🌼

[@MillwalltheCat]

Quite a while ago, there was a tv interview with a survivor, in which he said that he was scrambling over the hull as she capsized when the detonation occured. He went on to say that the explosion threw him up so high, that he had time enough to check to see if he still had his legs.

[@Ob1sdarkside]

That is incredible, you can see people jumping into the sea before it explodes.

[@rexmyers991]

EXCELLENT narration. Very good editing. Clear, concise, factual and overview of the times.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Much appreciated!

[@sanddancerjo]

My grandad was a survivor, the sinking of HMS Barham haunted him until the day he died, he passed away 2016, what a superb video, thank you

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much for watching this video. If you enjoyed it, let me know by hitting the LIKE button, this helps me know what sort of content is proving successful so I can make more just like it. Also, please consider SUBSCRIBING and help me to grow our community. Cheers!

[@kingtigertank72]

beautiful pictures, many have i not senn before. Very well done and researched

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

@@kingtigertank72 Thanks very much.

[@geoh7777]

I didn't enjoy this account of HMS Barham and her men, and the sad end of so much and so many.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

@@sumdewd Thanks

[@paintedblue1791]

Excellent video correct picture and well researched. Point if interest this sinking lead to the arrest of Helen Duncan and last conviction for witchcraft in England.

[@simonboughey1720]

Very good indeed. Excellent commentary and use of archive photos. My dear dad was in the RN 1944-46, mainly on small ships, and I have had a life-long fascination with naval history. I look forward to more.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks you very much for your comment.

[@BradBrassman]

Excellent production. My grandfather served aboard Barham in the early 20's when she was ex Atlantic and part of the Mediterranean Fleet.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much Brad, appreciate your comment.

[@BradBrassman]

@@TheNorthernHistorian Got a few cracking photos! My dad always thank god he became a policeman after his navy days as whn war broke out, he would amost certainly been called-up to the navy and most probably been posted back to Barham as he was a trained electrician, which were in short supply.

[@garethsprack1234]

My Father's cousin was on the Barham when she blew up and survived.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

He's very lucky to have survived that.

[@roryobrien4401]

@@TheNorthernHistorian it's amazing anyone survived. Good luck to them

[@davidrowsell4603]

That is a coincidence may father had a cousin who served on Barham as a Royal Marine, sadly he did not survive. One cannot imagine how terrifying it must have been to be trapped under those circumstances. The film of all the men going into the water is quite horrifying.

[@simonduff117]

Thank you for your excellent documentary. I have watched it twice through and will no doubt watch it again. I have a framed photo of her in my hallway - my grandfather served in her. Beautiful ship.

[@Trajan32]

I came to know HMS Barham from a video, and thanks to you there is a fuller story of this ship, and a remembrance of her crew and tragic end.

[@dennisroyhall121]

Excellent documentary and vocal content. A moving appraisal well done. Bow my head in humble gratitude to all of our courageous sailors and salute those here who recall the memory of family and friends who suffered their lives lost like heroes. R.I.P..

[@robbabcock_]

Wow!😲 Amazing footage of the ship capsizing and exploding! I'd never seen that film before. It's striking just how huge the loss of life was on many of those battleships when they sank. The battleship was thoroughly obsolete by 1940 but no one realized it at the time.

[@Bob-vc6ug]

@David Rawsthorn True, but the battleships worked pretty well into the 40s for pre invasion off shore shelling while island hopping and Dday. But to your point, yes, sea power was taken over by the aircraft carrier and her faster escorts.

[@alecblunden8615]

I think you underestimate the effectiveness of battleships. Recall that the four Iowa's, which served periodically until the late 20th century, were not commenced until after 1940, and that all the battleships of the RN had very active wars, Barham's sister ship Warspite is a prime example.

[@BatMan-xr8gg]

Another excellent video you have made there mate. Your Subs are growing so keep up the good work. I enjoyed your video very much. Cheers from Australia.

[@academyofnaturaljustice8939]

Best doco of HMS Barham to date. My grandad went down with Barham after 18 years service in the RN. Was witnessed making it out, but didn't survive the explosion. Which considering Barham was under sustained torpedo attack, I know to be a torpedo explosion.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much for your comment

[@Digmen1]

Thanks for that. Very well done. That footage of her exploding is the first time I've seen it in colour!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Debbiebabe69]

That footage has been 'colourised', ie colour added to a black and white video. The original (in B+W) is widely available online. Colour film in those days was the exclusive preserve of the movie film studios, the equipment needed was ridiculously expensive, there were no 'cheap and cheerful' options. More interesting however is colour photography. It was actually quite widespread in the 1930s/1940s, however the plaques it used could only be developed to tiny photos that needed a diascope or projector to view at decent quality (the latter obviously was detrimental to the quality of the photograph). Its only in the last 10 or so years, when digital technology has advanced to the point all these old colour photos can be reliably digitised without damaging the originals, that many previously unseen colour photos from the first half of the 1900s have been made available.

[@user-ey4ob3oc6u]

Congratulations on your clear diction and voice, especially for a "northerner"! A story well enough told too, so thank you! In watching such content over the years, I can't help but notice the precise times mentioned, and so often. Is there one crew member running around with a watch, officer-of-the-watch perhaps, or does the whole crew participate with such rigorous timekeeping,? Maybe to report on such matters to ensure it's confirmation upon on the occasion of at least one member surviving? Keep up the excellence, it's tRICKy here!

[@rb5337]

Your voice was perfect for this intriguing narration of gallant men who sail the seas and sometimes become a part of that sea for eternity

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much, kind of you.

[@gsmith4679]

Stunning footage of the sinking of the Barham. Very informative video.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@paullacey2999]

That poor ship saw a lot of action.What an awful ending for the crew.Superb film yet again.👏

[@jamesm3471]

Awesome! Very well done. I’ve not seen the Pathé footage of HMS Barham blowup colorized so well before. Subbed.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you very much!

[@charlesclager6808]

Excellent video. Factual and to the point. RIP to the crew and a grand ship.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks

[@Wolfsschanze99]

Great Doco, put together and narrated really well. RIP Brave Sailors

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much!

[@3vimages471]

God Bless HMS Barham and all those young men lost.

[@mikefed]

They will be in my prayers tonight. Thanks for a very well done video.

[@b577960]

Wonderful doc and respectfully done- many thanks

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@merlin6955]

Thank you for producing this excellent video, I've seen just the final explosion before but always wanted to know her history. It remains a miracle 487 survived, 4 minutes is no time to do anything on a vessel of that size, shame the magazine didn't flood first. God bless all those lost at sea, both naval and merchant to keep us free, plus those in the air and in foreign lands.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@rustykilt]

Looking at the explosion, it is amazing anyone survived....

[@hamishosborn8384]

There is a very sad but beautiful poem that recalls the names of Barham and her sisters. I believe in As I looked down from the Tamar Bridge or something similar. It is perhaps the most poignant of all the poems commemorating the loss of such great ships and their gallant crews

[@robertmorey4104]

Has to be the most devastating ship explosion ever recorded. Amazing anyone survived. Great video, well narrated. Royal Navy took a beating early in ww2.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much.

[@dallasmars2]

We're they unable to counter flood

[@RCplamodel]

*Thank you for sharing this great video! 👍👍👍*

[@grendelgrendelsson5493]

A very interesting video. My uncle served aboard HMS Hood in the late 1930's and then HMS Belfast. He was a gunner and took part in the Battle of the North Cape and D-Day. Liked and subbed.

[@kurgisempyrion6125]

Hmm what has the KZbin mysterious algortihim recommended for me today - a superb video! Huzzah! :D Good job my northern cousin between you and Yammato30 (and Drach ofc) its great to see some of the more.. lesser known events covered. Good job.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you very much. Your comment is very much appreciated.

[@johnbrownbridge873]

I remember seeing this sinking used in the opening of ( I think ) "The War at Sea" TV programme many years ago. It always stuck in my memory but it took a long time for me to find out which ship it was.

[@robertthomas3777]

A succinct and detailed presentation. Thanks. Lest we forget….

[@joey64100]

What an excellent video, of a very sad event. Thank you.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@henrywhittaker2519]

Very good, very concise !

[@timwalker5021]

Hi matey. I've only just come across this and have subsribed and liked straight away. I too am from you neck of the woods, living in the top end of Newcastle. Some of the comments below are absolutely rediculous, but for me this was a great historical piece and I will be watching more. Take care matey and keep 'em comin'.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks Tim. I appreciate it.

[@lumberlikwidator8863]

My landlord (RIP Frank) served in the Kriegsmarine during WWII and was sunk three times. Twice he was rescued by German ships, but the third time he was rescued by the British and spent two years in a POW camp in Egypt. He didn't like to talk about it, but he opened up briefly one time when he saw I was building a large model of the Bismarck. He was an honest, generous and kind man, and I have no reason to doubt his story.

[@zinozee8929]

Rip Frank, it’s not to know he was a kind landlord and served his country. My kinda people

[@NJTDover]

Thanks. It was excellent information.

[@ritabywater4647]

My uncle served on HMS Barham as a stoker, he was one of the lucky ones who survived

[@fredericksaxton3991]

I remember seeing a TV program on the Mediterranean war and Barham was mentioned as a part of the program. A survivor did say that nearly 800 crew did survive.

[@dynaztycrashdiet]

My late Grandad's best mate was on that ship. He received a letter from his mate on the Barham a month before he was sadly killed. My Grandad never got over his best friends death, but my mother still has that letter.

[@johnanthonylucock7833]

Excellent video

[@Olliemets]

Great respectful job. Some excellent photos that I've not seen.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you

[@markdavis2475]

Very interesting film, clear and concise commentary thanks.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you very much Mark.

[@greggregory8311]

Enjoyed immensely thanks, pls more of the same.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much. I intend to bring you more,

[@vespelian5769]

Concisely writern an well put together. Barham and the 5th Battle Squadron also came under concentrated fire from the main High Seas Fleet coming perilously close to destruction.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much

[@challyho6375]

Great video mate 👍

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much!

[@simonjester0074]

Well presented and very interesting

[@luxaeterna100]

Thank you for adding both measurements, feet and meters. So many forgets this.

[@rosiehawtrey]

Multiply by three, I can do it in my head and I've got fibro.

[@rosiehawtrey]

Multiply by three, I can do it in my head and I've got fibro.

[@darrensmith6999]

Very interesting and informative video thank you. My first time viewing your channel and i have subscribed Cheers(:

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much Darren, glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the sub.

[@user-kz6uv5ed4u]

My uncle Tom Barnacott went down in the Barnham. My father was based in Alexandria at the time. Heartbreaking to watch but interesting to learn more about the story. My mother remembers meeting Tom in Alexandria shortly before leaving port.

[@billbickley5798]

Interesting My brother was on the HMS Hermes 9 April 1942 when Sunk -I was on HMS Pioneer Air craft Maintenance in Pacific Fleet .Fleet Air Arm 1943.

[@gazza2933]

Great Channel! Just subscribed.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Awesome, thank you!

[@HorthornNZ]

Very good and accurate video - only one small request, when quoting a ships range, you also need to quote at what speed because speed has a major effect on a ships range. Well worth watching your channel.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Great suggestion!

[@kirkgemmill3626]

I met a gent in 1988 in Ruchill Glasgow resplendent in his Blazer going to their annual reunion. I had my "Jaws" moment in the Bus when he said it was the Barnham. "You were on the Barnham????" After a 10 minute chat I got up to leave and asked " What was the Bang like" He turned his head to reveal a hearing aid. He pointed and said" it was on that side" ! Privileged to say the least. See that clip somewhere almost every year

[@davidrowsell4603]

Barham, not Barnham. Named after Lord Barham, Nelson's boss as First Lord of the Admiralty, better known as Admiral Charles Middleton.

[@routeman680]

Enjoyed this video very much, the content and pace of delivery. One point: at 6:50 the photo of Barham with two funnels is from before the big 1930s refit so does not fit 1939!

[@arndhauk7365]

Great research docu 💪🚀

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Appreciate it!

[@markthornton7347]

excellent presentation

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@seeingeyegod]

wow not sure I've seen that footage before of it rolling over and exploding, it seems amazing that the people crawling around on the side of the ship didn't seem to get blown off into the water.

[@luvr381]

Well done, subbed.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

Thanks very much.

[@geoffburrill9850]

What a sad loss of 800 sailors. Rip. It is a miracle that so many survived the magazine detonation when only 3 survived Hoods explosion.

[@oceanhome2023]

I think the water temperature had much to do with that

[@geoffburrill9850]

@@oceanhome2023 Yes that and the fact the crew on Hood were at their stations within the ship when the magazine detonated.

[@lukasito100]

The Hood exploded without turning upside down. Nobody expected that, the Sea was more rough and much colder. On Barham crew started to abandon the ship...

[@jimtuite3451]

Big difference between the Mediteranean and the Denmark strait in the high Atlantic

[@edwardsalmon5658]

One of my grandfather’s brothers was a midshipman on board and went down with the ship. I was the only one to join the Navy, the rest joined the Army (4) and survived the war.

[@ShroomKeppie]

Film of Barham's explosion was used as a stand-in for the sinking of the Hood in the movie "Sink the Bismarck!"

[@theread59]

My late father, Stanley Read survived the sinking of HMS Barham. He was 17 at the time. He also survived the sinking of HMS Naiad and one other ship whose name eludes me at this point. He didn't talk about it very much at all. It's little wonder.

[@roryobrien4401]

Amazing video of it blowing up. Coloured?

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Nice work. It must've been such a frightening way to go. Awful to think about.

[@davidford694]

I knew one of the U boat captain's great nephews. He ended his days in Vancouver, BC. Apparently he never got over what he had done.

[@succubus991]

Enjoyed the story very much. Petty Officer Francis WILDE was one of the casualities,,being one of our family and died in the service of his country, like many others doing his duty to the end!

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

I'm sorry for your families loss. This nation and others will always be proud of what he did for us though, may he rest in peace.

[@dgriffin6074]

Excellent narration. He sounds like Jackie Stewart the famous Grand Prix driver.

[@JBils41]

The narrator is from the North East of England (Newcastle upon Tyne/Sunderland). Jackie Stewart is Scottish… quite different accents to the British ear… 😁

[@davesresorts]

Thank you. I never heard of this.

[@TheNorthernHistorian]

You're welcome!

[@davesresorts]

My dad actually had a letter written by a buddy who served on the USS San Francisco that describes the battle of task force 11 and what happened on the ship. I'm still going through my mom's things hoping I'll find it. I have one of the original letters from 1856 written by Elizabeth Sager describing the Whitman Massacre which was given to my dad in 1955 when they arrived in Hayward California. They guy got it at a garage sale where someone was cleaning the place out. Did not know if it was real. I was with my dad in 1962 when the curator of the Whitman Mission verified it as authentic. It's so easy for history to be lost and forgotten. Thank you for keeping things alive