A NEW book pays tribute to the people of Lyme Regis who helped save lives following a First World War naval disaster.

Naval history author Steve Dunn has released his third book, Formidable, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the first British battleship to be lost to submarine action during the war.

The residents of the coastal town helped to save 49 lives following the sinking of HMS Formidable on New Year's Day, 1915.

Although the sailors had managed to get clear of the sinking battleship, they knew their small cutter couldn’t survive the horrendous weather and that they were facing almost certain death. The rudder was swept away, compasses were lost, there was no food and morale was low. Those that died were thrown overboard.

Fortunately their boat was spotted and Police Sergeant James Stockley, who was on duty with another officer in the square at Lyme Regis, acted immediately. Despite the waves, Stockley pulled men from the water and was soon joined by other local residents.

Mr Dunn said: "It is an amazing story that's often overlooked because there were so many acts of heroism in the First World War.

"But I think Stockley's bravery was remarkable and I hope my book, Formidable, goes some way towards making sure he's never forgotten.

“It was an emotional story to write but I hope I have done justice to those involved in the tragedy.”

A total of 71 men had started the horrific journey in the small boat but 20 died during the 22-hour voyage. Of the 51 who made it to the shore, two then died from the final effects of exposure. The survivors were assessed by two local doctors on the beach before they were taken to several pubs, including the Pilot Boat Inn.

Mr Dunn believes that the government deliberately manipulated the facts to turn the disaster into a propaganda triumph and that the media coverage simply added to this.

“Although the people of Lyme Regis deserved the plaudits they got at the time for their kindness and hospitality, it was wrong that no-one questioned why the sinking of Formidable actually happened,"he added.

"Had they done so, they would have realised it could have been avoided.”

Mr Dunn’s book blames the poor decision making of the admiral-in-charge, Lewis Bayly, who refused to acknowledge the threat posed by the new technology – U-boat submarines.

The author agues that Bayly couldn’t accept that the world was changing and hung onto the belief that to ambush a ship unseen, from below the surface, would be 'ungentlemanly' and therefore unthinkable - so despite the threat from U-boats, he kept his ships at sea.