The Cromarty Archive
No: 297 Contributor: Robert Clyne Year: 1916
The upturned hull of HMS Natal - c1916
The Natal was sunk in the firth in 1915, by an explosion in the magazine. This shows the hull before it was dismantled.
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Picture added on 01 January 2003
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The Natal - Warship destroyed by an explosion off Cromarty during WW1
The Natal - Warship destroyed by an explosion off Cromarty during WW1
It was quite shocking for me to actually see the upturned hull - my grandad was probably still inside the ship as I was looking. To have such strong feelings for somone who died so very many years ago, just a boy leaving a wife and two young babies behind. He was stoker first class Victor George Hurn.
Added by Yve Evans on 11 July 2004
I visited this place in 1950s as in my other e-mail 7/06 my uncles remains may also be inside the 10" steel hull. Was told at the time it would be used for razor blades ? So why all the protection on other "grave" wrecks. Oil also has a lot to answer for!
Added by Brian Knibbs, Oxfordshire. on 25 March 2008
I lost my great uncle, Able Seaman Daniel Bigley, aged 23.
Added by Robert Edwards on 07 September 2009
The Natal - Warship destroyed by an explosion off Cromarty during WW1
