description HMS Edinburgh Overview
HMS Edinburgh was a Royal Navy Town-class light cruiser that served during the Second World War. In April 1942, while escorting an Arctic convoy, she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-456 and later attacked by German destroyers; the damaged cruiser was scuttled in the Barents Sea on 2 May. She carried Soviet gold intended as payment for Allied supplies, much of which was recovered during a technically demanding commercial salvage operation in 1981.
help HMS Edinburgh FAQ
Did the HMS Edinburgh carry a cargo of gold when it sank?
Yes, the HMS Edinburgh was carrying approximately 465 gold ingots as part of a payment from the Soviet Union to the United States. The gold was part of a lend-lease payment and was successfully recovered from the Barents Sea wreck in the early 1980s by deep-sea salvage teams.
How was the HMS Edinburgh sunk during World War II?
In April 1942, while escorting Arctic convoy QP 11, the cruiser was struck by torpedoes fired from the German submarine U-456. Although the crew attempted to tow the damaged ship back to port, it was attacked again by German destroyers and ultimately had to be scuttled.
Where is the wreck of the HMS Edinburgh located?
The wreck of the HMS Edinburgh lies at the bottom of the Barents Sea, north of the Kola Peninsula. It rests at a depth of approximately 245 meters (800 feet), which made the 1981 recovery of its gold cargo a remarkable feat of deep-water engineering.
What type of warship was the HMS Edinburgh?
The HMS Edinburgh was a Town-class light cruiser belonging to the Royal Navy, specifically part of the Edinburgh subgroup. Commissioned in 1939, the heavily armed ship was primarily used for convoy escort duties and naval blockade enforcement during the Second World War.
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