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Shortly after the Armistice in November 1918, Harwich was where dozens of German U-boats officially surrendered to the allied forces.

Their exact number is not known, but there were estimated to be between 120 and 150 U-boats in total, along with various other German ships and support machinery.

The U-boats moored off the coast where they were met by British ships, which then escorted them individually into the River Stour estuary. Sometimes arranged four abreast, the line of U-boats stretched for a couple of miles down the Stour outside Parkeston Quay.

The commanding officer of the Harwich Force, Admiral Tyrwhitt, gave strict orders to his sailors that there was to be 鈥渘o communication whatsoever鈥� with the Germans. 鈥淚t must be remembered,鈥� he said 鈥渢hat we are still at war.鈥�

People came from miles around to see the surrendered fleet, even going on boat tours to see the submarines up close, as David Whittle from the Harwich Society explains.

Location: Harwich Redoubt, Main Street, Harwich, Essex CO12 3LT
Image: Moored up sometimes four abreast, the line of U boats stretched back around two miles down the River Stour. Photograph courtesy of David Whittle.

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