HMS E49
HMS E49 is a British submarine wreck lying on the seabed in the waters off Shetland, Scotland, near the coordinates that place it in the Bluemull Sound or surrounding waters of the Shetland Islands. It is one of many First World War submarine casualties that rest in the seas around northern Scotland, and it holds a particular poignancy as the grave of the men who served and died aboard her. The wreck is a designated protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, meaning it is treated with the same solemnity as a war grave, and diving on or interfering with the site without a licence is illegal. For those who study naval history or submarine warfare, HMS E49 represents a specific and traceable human loss from the catastrophic submarine campaigns of the Great War.
HMS E49 was an E-class submarine, part of a series of submarines that formed the backbone of the Royal Navy's submarine fleet during the First World War. The E-class boats were among the most capable submarines of their era, seeing extensive service in the North Sea, the Baltic, the Dardanelles, and beyond. E49 was lost on 12 March 1917 when she struck a mine in the waters north of Shetland. She was on patrol at the time, and all hands were lost with her. The loss was one of many sustained by the Royal Navy's submarine service during the war, a period when mines claimed a significant number of British vessels operating in the notoriously dangerous northern waters. The crew of E49 have no other known grave, and the wreck on the seabed serves as their permanent memorial.
The surrounding seabed environment off Shetland is shaped by strong tidal currents, cold North Atlantic waters, and relatively poor visibility at depth — conditions typical of this latitude. The wreck itself, lying for over a century on the bottom, will have been substantially colonised by marine life, as is common with metal structures in these waters. Soft corals, sponges, and various fish species typically make a home of such wrecks over time. The physical experience of these waters is one of raw northern exposure, cold temperatures, and the particular atmosphere of remote, deep northern seas.
The Shetland Islands themselves form one of the most remote and dramatically beautiful parts of the United Kingdom. The coastline near this location is characterised by steep cliffs, sea stacks, and the treeless, wind-scoured moorland that defines the Shetlandic landscape. The nearest significant settlement is Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, though much of the northern part of the islands consists of small communities and working crofts. The sea around Shetland is extraordinarily rich in wildlife, with seabirds including puffins, gannets, and skuas, as well as seals and occasional cetaceans, making the broader area one of the most rewarding in Britain for those who appreciate coastal and marine wildlife.
Because HMS E49 is a protected military wreck, public access is strictly controlled. Recreational diving on the site requires a licence from Historic England (acting on behalf of the Ministry of Defence), and applications are taken seriously in light of the war grave status. Anyone considering diving should research the licensing process thoroughly in advance. The wreck is not accessible to non-divers in any meaningful physical sense, as it lies beneath the sea. The broader Shetland Islands are reached by ferry from Aberdeen (an overnight sailing) or by air from several Scottish and northern English airports. Visiting Shetland is best done in late spring or summer, when daylight hours are extraordinary and conditions on land and sea are most hospitable.
For those interested in the history of the wreck without diving, the Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick holds extensive collections relating to the islands' maritime and wartime history, and is an excellent resource for understanding the broader context of naval operations in these waters during both world wars. The story of E49 and her crew fits into a larger narrative of the immense cost paid by submarine crews on all sides during the First World War, a largely invisible sacrifice made under the sea, far from public view. The wreck's position off Shetland, one of the most geographically isolated parts of the British Isles, adds a further layer of remoteness to a loss that was already hidden beneath the waves.