NEIMME Lecture: The K Class Submarines - aka the "Kalamity Class2"
2026-05-28 18:00 - 19:00 (Europe/London) | The Common Room, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE, United Kingdom
This lecture will tell the story of the K Class submarine; its design issues, the lessons learned and remembering the many men who perished.
During World War I, it was decided to build submarines which were fast enough to keep pace with surface ships. Equipped with steam turbines to produce sufficient power, they were as large as modern nuclear submarines. The engines were a success, but the submarines were an ill-conceived concept in other regards. Geoff Horseman will describe incidents which led to these vessels becoming known as the “Kalamity Class” and an appointment as a crew member became known as joining “the Suicide Club”. Among these was a tragic event which was undisclosed for over 30 years and is not well known today. In the so-called ‘Battle of May Island’, Royal Navy ships and submarines collided at night in the Firth of Forth early in 1918, with great loss of life. In all, more than 200 men died while serving onboard the K class. This lecture will tell the story of the K Class looking at some of the design issues with the submarines, recalling lessons learned which should not be forgotten and remembering the many men who perished due to those mistakes.
Geoff Horseman joined NEI Parsons Ltd. in 1980 as a graduate trainee engineer. In 1982, he became a Design Engineer in the Steam Turbine Design Department, subsequently rising to Head of Turbine Design in 1991. Following this, in 1994, he was appointed Head of Turbine-Generator Engineering at Parsons. In 1997, Parsons became part of Siemens Power Generation with Westinghouse following in 1998. This led to Siemens Large Steam Turbine Engineering in Europe being focused primarily at two sites: Mülheim-an-der-Ruhr in Germany; and, CA Parsons Works in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Geoff was appointed Chief Turbine Engineer for the Newcastle site and a Principal Expert on Steam Turbines within Siemens globally. He continued in these roles until his retirement in 2019. Since retirement, Geoff has been working full time on documenting the Parsons history while original records still exist for preservation in museums. It was during this work that he discovered the story of the K Class submarines which he will describe in this lecture.
17:30-18:00 – Tea and Coffee
18:00-18:50 – In-person only Lecture Starts
18:50 to 19:00 – Q & A
NEIMME is the Royal Chartered membership organisation for Engineering, Science and Technology in the North.
For more information about our events and the benefits of NEIMME membership see: https://mininginstitute.org.uk/membership/
For information on IOM3 membership see: https://www.iom3.org/

Briana Corrigan
2026-10-31 19:30 - 22:30
The Common Room & Hapless Museum Worker Gigs present…Briana Corrigan, BRIT-winning former vocalist of The Beautiful South.
Briana Corrigan (The Beautiful South)
“One of the most distinctive voices in pop” – Time Out
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience an intimate, heart-warming, and joyous evening of story and song with Briana Corrigan, the iconic former vocalist of The Beautiful South.
Returning to the stage following a 10-year hiatus, Briana has already completed five hugely successful, largely sold-out tours across the UK and Ireland, and arrives with a brand-new album in the pipeline.
About the Artist
Born in Belfast, Briana’s unforgettable voice is best known for delivering The Beautiful South’s most successful single: the chart-topping, Brit Award-winning No. 1 hit, A Little Time. Her unique vocal styling, combined with Paul Heaton’s brilliantly acerbic lyrics, created an enduring anthem to broken love.
Beyond her band years, Briana has established herself as a formidable songwriter in her own right. She has released two critically acclaimed solo albums, drawing widespread praise from the music press:
“Her forte… chest-hugging, breast-beating balladry of the highest calibre.” – Q Magazine
“A songwriter of wit and elegance.” – Hot Press
“A revelation! It’s like listening to someone sing you a story. The rain outside is drifting along the glass and this is a good soundtrack to the tale of its falling.” – Melody Maker
What to Expect
Described by VOX as a voice that “could melt icebergs at 50 paces”, this is a unique chance to hear her stupendous vocals up close and personal.
Briana will lead the evening on vocals and guitar, backed by a beautifully stripped-back band featuring an additional guitarist and cellist. The setlist will pack an emotional punch, weaving together:
– Classic hits from The Beautiful South
– Her own beautifully crafted solo material
– Unique, fresh takes on traditional favourites
“Corrigan’s vocals still sparkle with gold dust.” – The Irish Independent
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM, 29TH APRIL, 2026.

INES RAE: Loud But Lonely Tour
2026-11-20 19:00 - 23:00
Get ready for unforgettable live music as the incredible Ines Rae brings her highly anticipated Loud but Lonely Tour to Newcastle!
Known for her captivating vocals and deeply relatable songwriting, Ines is set to deliver a performance that perfectly balances high-energy anthems with intimate moments.
Whether you have been a fan from the beginning or are just discovering her sound, this is your chance to experience the raw emotion and undeniable stage presence that makes her live shows so special.
