The aim of the two submarines, was to prevent German reinforcements passing on to the Mole across the viaduct during the action. The submarines employed were old C Class, C1 and C3, built in 1906 and 1907, and displacing 316 tons. It was calculated that the boats driven at a speed of 6 knots against the viaduct would penetrate the light bracing of the piers up to their conning towers. Each submarine carried two motor skiffs and a light scaling ladder. A picket boat commanded by Lieutenant Commander Francis H. Sandford was in attendance to rescue the crews. C1 did not arrive as its tow-line parted. C3 under Lieutenant Richard Sandford rammed the viaduct, and exploded its charges, destroying a considerable section. Sandford was awarded the VC; he was rescued by his brother in the picket boat.
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From O. McNab: J. Howell-Price
My father, Lieutenant John Howell-Price, RNR, (who died in 1937) was of the crew of six in submarine C3 which breached the Mole at Zeebrugge at the beginning of the attack.
Lieutenant John Howell Price DSC, was awarded the DSO at Zeebrugge for his invaluable assistance in placing C3 between the piles of the viaduct before the fuse was lighted and she was abandoned. ‘His behaviour in a position of extreme danger was exemplary.’
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From K. Taylor: In the engine room
My brother-in-law, Allan George Roxburgh, was in the engine room of the submarine C3 that rammed the Mole at Zeebrugge. They were all volunteers; they knew it was a dangerous job in which they might lose their lives but they were not told what it was. They practised for the job, and made trial raids until the final day.
Their means of escape from the submarine after ramming the Mole was to run along the Mole (which would mean capture) or by motor boat. The propeller of the boat was damaged in being lowered into the water and they had to row. They were being shot at all the time and Allan Roxburgh and one other were the only two not wounded. He was awarded the CGM and Croix de Guerre with palms. He died December 1960.
The citations for ERA Roxburgh, Stoker Bindall, PO Harmer, and Leading Seaman Cleaver read: ‘The ratings above mentioned were members of the crew of Submarine C3, which was skilfully placed between the piles of the Zeebrugge mole viaduct and there blown up, the fuse being lighted before the submarine was abandoned. They volunteered for and under the command of an officer eagerly undertook this hazardous enterprise, although they were well aware that if the means of rescue failed and that if any of them were in the water at the time of the explosion they would be killed outright.’
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From J. R. Pitt:
Captain Francis Sandford DSO, RN, a torpedo and explosives specialist, was prominent in staff work in preparation of the demolition arrangements for Zeebrugge and for fitting out submarines in general. He carried out the rescue of his own brother and the crew of submarine C3 of which his brother was in command and who was subsequently awarded the VC. Both of course were taking part in the raid on Zeebrugge on St George’s Day 1918.
The two brothers were members of a very remarkable family of 5 sons of a notable 19th century ‘worthy’ of Devon, the Venerable Archdeacon E. G. Sandford of Exeter. Another brother was an England Rugby International in 1906, and all five excelled in their chosen careers.
Captain Sandford was specially promoted for Zeebrugge for his preparation of the demolition arrangements and the fitting out of the submarines. He carried out the rescue of C3’s crew by means of a service picket boat, in which he covered 170 miles during the voyage to and from the Belgian coast.
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