HMS Opossum (S19)

HMS "Opossum" (S19) was an "Oberon"-class submarine in service with the Royal Navy from 1964 to 1993.

Service

"Opossum" was the eleventh "Oberon"-class boat commissioned by the Royal Navy. She was built by Cammell Laird shipbuilder at Birkenhead and launched on 23 May 1963. She was commissioned on 5 June 1964.

"Opossum" was originally armed with Mk 8 torpedoes and later with Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes. The class was also capable of firing the Harpoon anti-ship missile.

In 1990, "Opossum" took part in the bicentennial celebrations at Pitcairn Island, marking the occasion with a 2-day visit in September. [http://www.stamps.gov.pn/bicentenarycelebrations.htm Bicentenary Celebrations ] ]

"Opossum" served during the Gulf War and inserted SBS special forces teams into Iraq and occupied Kuwait. In May 1991 she returned to HMS "Dolphin" in traditional Far East camouflage colours (black and duck egg blue). She was seen to be flying the Jolly Roger, the RN submariner's symbol of a successful war patrol. [http://www.britains-smallwars.com/gulf/gulfunits.htm British Units ] ] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semukparl&STEMMER=en&WORDS=opossum&ALL=opossum&ANY=&PHRASE=&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=Writtens-7_spnew25&URL=/pa/cm199091/cmhansrd/1991-05-13/Writtens-7.html#Writtens-7_spnew25 House of Commons Hansard Debates for 13 May 1991] ]

On paying off in 1993, the nameplate from HMS "Opossum" was given to St Edmundsbury council in commemoration of the submarine's association with the town of Bury St. Edmunds. [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199394/cmhansrd/1994-10-27/Writtens-1.html House of Commons Hansard Debates for 27 Oct 1994 ] ]

HMS Opossum Association

The HMS Opossum Association is the veterans association for those who served on HMS "Opossum". The association's members include submariners from the S19, and earlier veterans who served on the sloop/frigate HMS "Opossum" (1943-1960).

See also

* Royal Navy Submarine Service
* Operation Granby

References

External links

* [http://www.hmsopossum.org.uk HMS Opossum Association]