HMHS Anglia

SS Anglia 1905

HMHS Anglia was a British hospital ship that served during the First World War. Originally built as a passenger ferry, the Anglia was requisitioned by the Royal Navy to serve as a hospital ship, following the outbreak of World War I. She is notably remembered for her tragic sinking in 1915, which resulted in significant loss of life.

History

The Anglia was built in 1900 by William Denny and Brothers in Dumbarton, Scotland, for the London and North Western Railway. Initially, she served as a passenger and mail ferry on the route between Holyhead and Dublin. With the advent of World War I, the British Admiralty requisitioned many civilian vessels for war service, including the Anglia, which was converted into a hospital ship to transport wounded soldiers from the front lines back to hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Service as a Hospital Ship

As a hospital ship, the HMHS Anglia was painted white with large red crosses, symbols protected under the Geneva Convention, to indicate her non-combatant status. She was equipped with medical facilities and staffed by Royal Army Medical Corps personnel and nurses from the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. The Anglia made several crossings between France and England, carrying thousands of wounded soldiers to safety.

Sinking

On 17 November 1915, while returning from Calais to Dover with over 390 wounded soldiers and medical staff on board, the HMHS Anglia struck a mine laid by a German U-boat. The explosion caused significant damage, and the ship began to sink rapidly. Despite the efforts of the crew and the assistance of other vessels, including the paddle steamer PS Folkestone, over 160 people lost their lives in the sinking. The loss of the Anglia was one of the first major tragedies involving a hospital ship during the war.

Aftermath and Legacy

The sinking of the HMHS Anglia highlighted the dangers faced by hospital ships during wartime, even though they were protected under international law. The incident led to further calls for the protection of medical vessels in conflict zones. Today, the Anglia is remembered as one of the many tragic losses of World War I, serving as a reminder of the risks undertaken by medical personnel and non-combatants in times of war.