Hawkcraig Experimental Station

Britain's Hawkcraig Experimental Station experimented with and trained sailors in the use of Hydrophones for detecting enemy submarines. It was situated on a spit of land near Aberdour, on the north shore of the Firth of Forth. It was usually referred to as H.M.S. Tarlair, which was the humble drifter originally assigned to the base.

History

Through the late stages of the war, the shore facility grew extensive on a small spit of land, with many huts for instruction and training of men. In addition to hydrophones, the base studied mining operations and even development of a sweeping motor launch that could be remotely controlled from a seaplane.

Operations at Hawkcraig seem to have been shut down in July 1919, but Cyril Percy Ryan, who had been in charge since its inception remained in Tarlair until January, 1920, perhaps relocated elsewhere.

In Command

• Acting Captain Cyril P. Ryan, 1 April, 1917 – 5 January, 1920

See Also

• HMSTarlairFife.org.uk website

Bibliography

• Admiralty, Technical History Section (1919). The Technical History and Index: The Anti-Submarine Division of the Naval Staff. Vol. 1, Part 7. C.B. 1515 (7) now O.U. 6171/7. At The National Archives. ADM 275/19.