HMS VORTIGERN (D 37 )

Researched by Paul Hennessey

Position ... 53 05 725 N /  001 22 159 E
Type ... V Class Destroyer (Vanoc Class)
Laid down ...17 / 1 / 1917
Launched ... 5 / 10 / 17
Commissioned ... 21 / 1 / 18
Dimensions ... Length 95mtrs , Beam 8.8mtrs, Draught, 3mtrs
Builder ...  J. Samual White, Cowes, Isle of White
Propulsion ... 3 White Forster water tube boilers, Brown Curtis steam turbines, x2 shafts
Fuel ... Oil
Loss date ... 15/3/1942
Cause of loss ... Torpedoed by German S Boat


                                                                                          WEAPONS
                                                                                                                     Triple torpedo bank being loaded
Weapons at time of sinking (according to Navy Sec - 3rd Sector Heritage )

4x4 inch Mk V guns (centre line) 120 rounds per gun
1 x 12 pounder (high angle long range gun for anti aircraft fire only)
2x2 pounder Pom Pom
2x Lewis guns
29 rifles

 TORPEDOES
2 x DR ( Double revolving torpedo tubes)
2 Mk 1V torpedoes (Side slung)
2 x depth charge throwers, 1 rail, 33 mines

                                                                                                                         MkV 4 inch QF (Quick Fire) gun
HMS Vortigern. V class destroyer, built in 1917 served as a short range escort during WW2.  On the 15th March 1942, whilst escorting the coastal convoy FS-749 along with HMS Guillemot, the Vortigern was torpedoed  by the German S boat S104. From her crew of 159 only 12 survived the loss of the Vortigern, this being the heaviest loss of Royal Naval personnel in any one vessel in defence of an east coast convoy.



S104 was a high speed German motor torpedo boat, at a length of 33mtrs and powered by 3 Daimler Benz marine diesel engines, she was capable of speeds up to 44 knots. Her armament consisted of 2 x 21 inch torpedo tubes with 4 torpedoes carried, 3 x 20mm cannons, 1 x twin and 1 x single along with a single 37mm flak cannon. The S in S boat stands for schnell, this meaning fast in German, the name given to these craft was Schnellboot (Fast boat). S104, built by Schlichting Werft, Travemunde was launched on the 18th/2nd/41 and commissioned on the 27th/3rd/41. On the 9th/1st/1943, S104 is believed to have been destroyed by a mine in the English Channel.
Below ..... S boat (Schnellboot)

                                                                                        Below ....    V Class Destroyers,  HMS Vortigern (right hand side)


William (Billy) Sheppard. In remembrance. Rank Petty Officer Telegraphist / service number P/JX 137677.

In 2023 Ann Hayton, the great Niece of William Sheppard contacted Norfolk Wreck research informing myself (Paul Hennessey) that her Great Uncle William Sheppard who at the age of 25 was amongst the 147 poor souls that had perished when the Vortigern was lost.  Ann has very kindly allowed me to publish via the website an account of William's final words to his Sister prior to him setting off on what was to be his final voyage on the ill fated Vortigern and in turn along with so many others in making the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow man in the fight for freedom.


William was born on the 15th October 1916 in Liverpool to John and Helena Sheppard. Prior to joining the Navy William had been working as a shop assistant in his home city of Liverpool.


In Ann's words what follows is a very heart touching yet very saddening account of Williams final words to his dear sister May prior to setting sail on the Vortigern.


He Knew he was never coming home. On the day he left on his last trip he withdrew all his money from his post office  account, took his watch and belongings off and gave them to my Nan. His last words to her were " I love you our May, but I wont be needing these anymore. Thank you for everything you have done, but I know I wont be coming home".


Today William is remembered upon the Portsmouth Naval Memorial along side all his fellow crew members who on that fateful day made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless you all. RIP


I would like to take this opportunity in thanking Ann for sharing this very personal account of Williams final time with his sister May and for bringing to the attention of all that visit this page the bravery and sacrifice of William and all the others who have fallen so as we may have the lives and freedom we enjoy today.

Below ... The Naval memorial at Portsmouth

Below ... Courtesy of Ann Hayton

Below ... Courtesy of Ann Hayton

The wreck today
Very broken in 20mtrs, widely dispersed with items of wreckage reported upto 400mtrs clear of the main site. Due to the wrecks position it was seen as a hazard to shipping  and was dispersed with the use of explosives and wire swept to a clear depth of 19mtrs.  The site of the Vortigern is designated under the protection of military remains act  1986, diving is permitted, however the removal of items or any disturbance of the site is prohibited.

 Contradictions
As with much research into a wrecks history, there are many contradictions to be found, with the Vortigern being no exception. In October 1940 the Vortigern is being stated as being refitted and converted for short range escort duties. At the time of the Vortigerns sinking she is stated by the Naval Historical Unit as being armed with x2 twin revolving torpedo banks. In 1986 there was a report from divers that they had located a triple revolving torpedo bank complete with torpedoes close to the site of the Vortigern. 
Records show that in October through to November 1940 she was refitted, in-turn her tripple torpedo banks were removed. In the half yearly Naval report for 1940 she is still shown as having her triple banks, however in October 1941, the half yearly report shows her as only being armed with double torpedo banks, this therefore giving support to the claims that she was refitted as layed out by the Naval Historical Unit. The question is, if what the divers have found is a triple torpedo bank, have the Naval records got it wrong, did she ever receive a refit, or was her refit incomplete ??