Due to the declaration of war (Britain declaring war on Germany through their alliance with Belgium), the 3rd Battle Squadron was sent to reinforce the Channel Fleet at Portland in November. With strategy attempting to keeping pace with the ever-changing developments of war, the squadron was recalled to the Grand Fleet thereafter. However, HMS King Edward VII showcased issues with her rudder and was forced to remain behind for repairs. She rejoined the Grand Fleet in late November of 1914. King Edward VII then continued her service as flagship on Atlantic patrols.
During the early phases of the war, the 3rd Battle Squadron was charged with assisting larger patrol groups assigned to the Grand Fleet. As they were deemed "lesser" ships in value when compared to the newer, more powerful "Dreadnoughts", HMS King Edward VII and her class were consistently placed at the head of flotillas to provide a barrier of sorts for the powerful battleship lines held further aft, exposing these lead ships to all manner of potential enemy attack - through torpedoes, naval mines, surface guns or aerial attack. The lead ships would trigger the enemy positions and warn the remaining flotilla in turn.
King Edward VII left Scapa Flow on January 6th, 1916 and was scheduled for a dry dock refit in Belfast. Along her route, she undertook double-duty in carrying out a patrol sortie along the northern coast of Scotland. As she rounded Cape Wrath, she struck an unseen German naval mine which detonated under her starboard engine room. Incoming water forced her to list eight degrees to starboard though there proved no loss of life. however, the deluge of water threatened to flood the entire engine room and kill the vessel completely. In response, Captain MacLachlin ordered the vessel to starboard to attempt to bring the vessel closer to shore should the situation degrade. During this turn, however, the helm jammed hard enough to starboard that the engine rooms flooded and stopped all propulsion. The crew engaged in practiced "counter flooding" strategies and managed to reduced her list to 5 degrees for the interim.
Now stranded, HMS King Edward VII called out to the nearby collier Princess Melita. An attempt was made to tow the battleship to shore to not risk her sinking altogether. HMS Kempfenfelt, a C-class destroyer, arrived to aid the sinking King Edward VII. HMS King Edward VII had settled deeper into the water by this time and was now listing a full 15 degrees to starboard. Strong winds further exacerbated the situation by generating six foot waves that threatened the towing initiative. The forces proved too much when the tow line to the Princess Melita was cut. Captain MacLachlin, understanding that his vessel could not be towed by a single destroyer, ordered HMS Kempfenfelt to cut her lines and free HMS King Edward VII.
As nightfall set in, the wounded (and sinking) battleship led Captain MacLachlin to give the final call to abandon ship. The destroyers HMS Musketeer, HMS Fortune and HMS Marne had arrived to receive HMS King Edward VII crew and the transfer proceeded in an orderly and professional fashion. One King Edward VII crewman was lost when he fell during the operation but no other losses of the 777 crew were reported. Captain MacLachlin himself, appropriately waiting until all his crew had disembarked, then boarded the destroyer HMS Nessus. With all hands safely removed, HMS King Edward VII sank by the stern on January 6th, 1916, thus ending her tenure of the seas.
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