Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:35:16-2:36:02

The Altmark incident as a close-quarters naval action

Altmark and HMS Cossack closed to ramming and boarding distance, producing a rare Second World War action that resembled an age-of-sail melee.

Altmark IncidentBoarding ActionsHMS CossackRoyal NavyWorld War II
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Question

What is the best steam-and-steel example of a naval commander wanting to fight at sword range?

Short answer

The Altmark incident, where HMS Cossack closed, boarded and fought at distances more reminiscent of an age-of-sail action.

Notes

The Altmark incident is the clearest steam-and-steel example of commanders wanting to settle matters at sword range. Altmark tried to batter HMS Cossack, while Cossack and Captain Philip Vian pressed in at extremely close quarters. Sailors ultimately moved between ships on ropes during the boarding. Few other Second World War actions so directly recall the physical ship-to-ship combat associated with the age of sail.