190 WWII sailors' names honored on lifeboat in Exmouth

Eighty-five years after the tragedy, the crew of the HMS Exmouth will be remembered. In January 1940, while escorting a merchant ship off Scotland, the Royal Navy destroyer was struck by a Nazi torpedo and sank in two minutes. All 190 sailors on board lost their lives. To honor these brave sailors, their names will be inscribed on a lifeboat operated by the RNLI in Exmouth. This tribute is part of a national campaign known as "Launch a Memory." The names will be included alongside thousands of others, serving as a reminder of their sacrifice. The HMS Exmouth's crew was escorting the Cyprian Prince, which was carrying supplies to the Navy's base at Scapa Flow. After the attack, the rescue boat City of Edinburgh responded but found only debris. Eighteen bodies were eventually discovered and buried with military honors in Wick, Scotland. Royal Navy divers suggested adding the names to the lifeboat after surveying the wreck last summer. The dive team was touched by the crew's fate and wanted to ensure their memory lives on. Lieutenant Commander Jen Smith expressed that it’s fitting for the sailors to "go to sea" once more while helping save lives today. The lifeboat operations manager, Ian Taylor, added that this tribute is meaningful for the crew's descendants. Members of the public can also add names to the lifeboat in exchange for a donation. This way, the legacy of those who served bravely continues.