HMS Cressy (1899) - Aftermath

Aftermath

As a result of the losses, the admiralty ordered all capital ships to remove themselves from danger in the future, and leave rescue attempts to smaller ships. Zigzagging at 13 knots was made mandatory for all large warships in submarine waters. On 15 October the protected cruiser HMS Hawke was lost to the same submarine, U-9, off Aberdeen, when she was steaming at 13 knots and not zigzagging. Only then did the admiralty finally remove the old armoured cruisers from patrol duties. Lord Charles Beresford never again referred to submarines as "playthings" or "toys".

In 1954 the British government sold the salvage rights to the ship and salvage is ongoing.