K Class submarines began to enter service in 1916, but because of their role with the Fleet they were unduly exposed to the risk of collision, and a chapter of accidents befell the class. The worst accident occurred on the night of 31st January, 1918 when ten K boats were operating with battlecruisers on a night exercise off May Island.
During the night, the helm in K14 jammed to starboard and she swung round and collided with K22, which was actually the K13 renamed after she had drowned most of her crew on her maiden voyage. The two boats locked together and in a series of collisions K4 was sunk by K6 (losing all hands), and K7 was sunk by HMS Fearless (also losing all hands). Four other submarines were damaged. This incident added further to the suspicion of a hoodoo on the class, because just two months
