The
Battle of May Island is the name given to the series of accidents that occurred during
Operation E.C.1 in 1918. Named after the
Isle of May, an island in the
Firth of Forth, close by, it was a disastrous series of accidents amongst
Royal Navy ships on their way from
Rosyth in Scotland to fleet exercises in the North Sea. On the misty night of 31 January to 1 February 1918, five collisions occurred between eight vessels. Two
submarines were lost and three other submarines and a light
cruiser were damaged. 104 men died, all of the Royal Navy. Although it took place during the
First World War it was an entirely accidental tragedy and no enemy forces were present. It was therefore not a
Battle and was only referred to as such with
black humour.