HMS Tarpon (N17)

HMS "Tarpon" (N17) was a T-class submarine of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by Scotts, Greenock and launched in October 1939.

Career

"Tarpon" had a tragically short career, serving in the North Sea.

She left Portsmouth on 5 April 1940 for Rosyth in company with HMS "Severn". The following day they were ordered to Norway. On the 10th "Tarpon" was ordered to take up a new position. "Tarpon" was never heard from again. Post War German records showed that "Tarpon" had attacked the Q-ship Schiff 40/"Schürbek", but her first torpedoes had missed. The Q-ship picked up the "Tarpon" on her sonar and her periscope was sighted. The ship dropped numerous depth charges in a sustained counter attack that went on most of the morning. Finally a pattern of depth charges brought wreckage to the surface. The Schiff remained on the scene until 0500 the next morning until it became clear the submarine had been sunk. "Tarpon" was reported overdue on 22 April 1940. [ [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3490.html HMS Tarpon] , Uboot.net] [ [http://www.rnsubmus.co.uk/general/losses.htm Submarine losses 1904 to present day] , RN Submarine Museum, Gosport]

ee also

*List of shipwrecks in 1940

References

*"Submarines, War Beneath The Waves, From 1776 To The Present Day", by Robert Hutchinson
*Colledge