Ben-my-Chree joined the Harwich Force for three attempted raids against Norderney on 3, 6, and 11 May 1915. Heavy fog cancelled each operation and caused her to collide lightly with HMS Lennox during the second attempt. On the third sortie, a Sopwith Schneider backfired while starting, wrecked its starter, and broke the pilot's wrist before takeoff. The type had been designed for the 1914 Schneider Trophy, and a related design developed into the Sopwith Baby. Weather, ship handling, and hazardous aircraft machinery could stop an early carrier strike before it reached the target.
Chapter · 29:44-32:40
Fog and machinery stop three Harwich Force raids
The three Norderney attempts ended in heavy fog, one collision with HMS Lennox, and a Sopwith Schneider starting accident that broke the pilot's wrist.