The RMS Olympic, the first of the White Star Line's Olympic-class ocean liners, was on her voyage when she encountered the British warship HMS Hawke. While traveling through the Solent, a narrow stretch of water between the Isle of Wight and the mainland of England, the Olympic was navigating around other vessels. To avoid a potential collision, the Olympic made an abrupt maneuver. However, the move caused the HMS Hawke to collide with her port side. The impact was significant enough to cause damage to both vessels, primarily affecting the Olympic's hull and leaving a visible dent. Despite the scale of the collision, there were no reported injuries or fatalities among the crew and passengers, which included several hundred people onboard Olympic at the time.

Following the incident, the Olympic had to divert to port for repairs, which took a considerable amount of time and resources. The British Admiralty launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the navigational decisions made by both vessels leading up to the collision. The outcome of the inquiry emphasized the need for improved communication and coordination between commercial and naval vessels in busy shipping lanes.

The incident was not only significant for the parties involved but also showcased the safety concerns present in the early 20th-century maritime operations. It highlighted the challenges that massive ships, like the Olympic, faced in maneuvering through congested maritime routes where naval vessels operated. This collision added to the ongoing discussions regarding maritime safety protocols that would evolve leading up to World War I.