H.M. Submarine E-6
15th August 1914

Sir,-I have the honour to submit a report of the proceedings of Submarine "E 6" on August 6th and 7th,
when working in the Heligoland Bight.

August 6th-

1 A.M.

Slipped by Amethyst, 30' N.N.E. from Terachelling Light vessel, proceeded N. 69 E., 12 knots, making for allotted area, and avoiding T.B.D. patrol.

3 A.M.

Dived to cheek trim; day breaking on rising; sighted two steam trawlers 4 to 5 miles to southward; dived away from them; 3 miles.

4.25 A.M.

Proceeded E. x S., 12 knots.

6.30 A.M.

Altered course S.E.

7.25 A.M.

Sighted German cruiser, Stettin class, hull down, E.N.E. beam on, steering N.
(approx.) Dived E. by N. 1 mile to avoid being seen; cruiser too far of to attack.

8.5 A.M.

Rose. Sighted trail of smoke and yellow funnel, E.N.E. Dived to attack, course N. 30 W.,
full speed.

8.55 A.M.

Abandoned chase, enemy steaming very fast west (approx.) Dived to avoid steam trawler,
which had passed over boat during attack.

9.45 A.M.

Rose. Proceeded to westward charging batteries.

11.30 A.M.

Stopped. Charged on surface.

1.15 P.M.

Proceeded S. '72 E., 12 knots.

2.45 P.M.

Dived to avoid steam trawler, remaining on course S. 72 E.

3.40 P.M.

Rose.

3.50 P.M.

Sighted German large T.B.D., or flotilla cruiser, 10 miles to northward, steaming very fast E.
Too far off to attack.

4.15 P.M.

Proceeded S. 51 E., 12 knots.

5.45 P.M.

Position W. ¾ N. 23' from Heligoland. Nothing in sight except numerous trawlers, chiefly
sailing. Turned to N. 60 W., 9 knots. Sea rough.

8.10 P.M.

Increased to 10½ knots. Many trawlers in sight at nightfall.

9.30. P.M.

Stopped. Dived 60 feet on "grouper down" till---

August 7th

2 A.M.

Rose. Very dark: dived 50 feet.

3.15 A.M.

Rose.

3.30 A.M.

Proceeded under one engine, 8 knots, working round a large fleet of sailing trawlers
making to southward; making for route of warships seen yesterday.

6 A.M.

Altered course 12 knots.

7.45 A.M.

Altered course S.E.

8.15 A.M.

Sighted German submarine on surface, S.E. 4 to 5 miles distant, beam to beam.
Dived to attack. At first thought she was stopped and had then dived, not sighting
her through periscope till 8.45.

8.45 A.M.

Sighted her steaming west, 4 or 5 miles off. Followed, diving.

9.30 A.M.

Rose. Submarine not in sight. Followed, diving, for ¾ hour, in hopes of finding her stopped.

10.30 A.M.

Proceeded S. 56 E., 12 knots.

12 noon

Stopped to let steam trawler pass across horizon, ahead.
Note-- Since about 7 A.M. I had given up the idea of trying to keep out of sight of trawlers,
merely avoiding going within a mile of them.

12.10 P.M.

Proceeded.

12.54 P.M.

Altered course south, observed position being further north than intended. The steam
trawler sighted at noon seemed suspicious of E 6, altering course so as to keep me in
sight without getting close.

3.30 P.M.

Turned and steered for trawler, signalling her to show colours (German) and to stop.
Trawler fitted with W/T. Crossed her bows and shaped course N. 87 W., 14 knots.
Position then N. 43 W. 37' from Heligoland. Trawler proceeded, apparently shaping
course for Emden. Steered to avoid our T.B.D. patrol.

August 8th

6.30 A.M.

Made Swarte Bank Lightvessel. Proceeded to Lowestoft to report.
Note.-The Heligoland Bight contained a very large number of trawlers, chiefly sailing,
including a few which were apparently Dutch; they became more numerous closer in
to Heligoland. I did not notice W/T in any except the one I spoke.

I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
(Sd.) C. P. TALBOT,
Lieutenant-Commander

The Commodore (S),
H.M.S. Maidstone