HMS Sahib (P212)

HMS "Sahib" was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on January 19 1942. So far she has been the only ship to bear the name "Sahib".

Career

She was assigned to the Mediterranean theatre, where she sank seven Italian sailing vessels, including the "Ina S.", "Francesco Padre", "Santa Maria Del Salvazione", "San Vincenzo" and "Pier Della Vigne", the Italian merchants "Honestas" and "Sidamo", the German (former French) transport "San Antonio", the German merchant "Qued Tiflet", and the small Italian merchant "Tosca". "Sahib" also damaged the Italian tug "Valente" and a barge with gunfire. The tug was hit 45 times and the barge 25 times. The tug was set on fire and completely burnt out. On 21 January 1943 she sank the German submarine "U-301". There was only one survivor from "U-301".

On 14 November, 1942 "Sahib" torpedoed and sank the Italian transport "Scillin". The "Scillin" was transporting Allied prisoners of war, of which 787 drowned. [ [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3431.html HMS Sahib] , Uboat.net]

inking

On April 16 1943, attacked and sank the merchant ship "Galiolo", two miles off Capa Milazzo. After firing, the "Sahib" almost broke the surface, which was noticed by an aircraft, which dropped a bomb but to no effect. The torpedo boat "Climene" began a heavy depth charge attack resulting in the submarine's pressure hull being holed at the aft ends. Unable to repair the damage, the ship was abandoned. She surfaced and was attacked by the aircraft. "Sahib" was scuttled to prevent capture. One of the crew was wounded and died on 3 May 1943. [ [http://www.rnsubmus.co.uk/general/losses.htm Submarine losses 1904 to present day] , RN Submarine Museum, Gosport]

References

*Colledge