The HMS Tiger Broke into Two Sections and Sank 118 Years Ago — Today, Divers Place a Wreath on Its Tiller

On a dark night, the small HMS Tiger collided with the far larger HMS Berwick during naval drills. Before either vessel could take evasive action, the cruiser struck it in the middle, tearing the destroyer in half. The bow fell quickly, dragging the captain and many crew members to their deaths. The stern floated at the surface for about three minutes before following. Of the 57 people on board, fewer than half managed to survive.

The tragedy of the HMS Tiger gained public notice in 1908, with newspapers devoting significant coverage to the event. King Edward VII sent a message of condolence, and commemorative postcards were issued to honor the fallen crew. Now, 118 years later, divers from ProjectXplore have located the remains of the wreck off England’s Isle of Wight, as announced in a Royal Navy statement.

The project's co-organizers, Leo Fielding and Dan McMullen, expressed hope that their work would ensure the memory of HMS Tiger and its crew endures for future generations.

The search for HMS Tiger had been ongoing for the Royal Navy and shipwreck enthusiasts for over a century, but it was only recently that the wreck was identified. Their research involved examining historical records and narrowing down the search area based on that evidence. The team had previously discovered another lost Royal Navy ship, the cruiser HMS Nottingham in the North Sea in 2025.

The discovery of HMS Tiger comes at a time when the British government is deliberating on changes to the legal protection afforded to military wrecks. Since the destroyer sank less than 200 years ago, it falls under the Protection of Military Remains Act, which currently requires specific designation for protection. However, the proposed amendments in the Armed Forces Bill would automatically protect all British military vessels upon discovery, preventing disturbance or removal of artifacts without permission.

The changes would also extend protection to older warships, including those from the Spanish Armada era and those operated by Britain’s adversaries. Additionally, merchant ships lost while serving under Admiralty orders could also be eligible for protection.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Louise Sandher-Jones, welcomed the proposed changes, stating they would help preserve Britain’s maritime heritage and provide lost sailors the dignity and respect they deserve. ProjectXplore and the Royal Navy emphasized that while protection would be increased, the presence of divers should not disturb the wrecks.

Lieutenant Commander Jen Smith, the deputy fleet wreck officer of the Royal Navy, urged divers to "enjoy looking, learning and paying your respects" while ensuring they do so in a manner that respects these historic sites.