The submarine was moored in a dock basin at Blyth (NZ319816), a few yards from the 6,620 ton depot ship Vulcan. The ex-cruiser was in harbour for repairs to her main engines and during the afternoon she built up a head of steam and began to carry out a slow-speed trial. In the restricted waters of the dock basin the suction from the depot-ship's propellers drew the submarine towards her and, despite the efforts of both crews to keep the two vessels apart, Vulcan's screws struck the stern of the submarine, cut through her outer casing and sliced open the pressure hull. H41 sank quickly as the sea rushed in and the crew were lucky to escape.
HMS H41 was raised and was then sold on 12 March 1920 in Sunderland.