HMS K6

HMS K6 was a British K-class submarine built by Vickers and launched in 1916. She served in the Royal Navy during World War I. The K-class submarines were designed to operate with the Grand Fleet and had a high surface speed to keep pace with battleships, but proved to be unreliable and prone to accidents.

HMS K6 was involved in a tragic accident on the night of January 31, 1918, during exercises with the Grand Fleet in the Firth of Forth. Due to a series of miscommunications and navigational errors in poor visibility, she was rammed first by HMS K23 and then subsequently by HMS K4. The damage was extensive, and HMS K6 sank with the loss of all 57 crew members.

The incident, often referred to as the "Battle of May Island," was one of the worst disasters involving submarines in the Royal Navy's history and highlighted the design flaws and operational challenges of the K-class submarines. The wrecks of HMS K4 and HMS K6 remain designated war graves.