HMS Tabard (P342)

HMS "Tabard" was a British submarine of the third group of the "T" class. She was built as "P342" by Scotts, Greenock, and launched on 21 November 1945. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name "Tabard", possibly after the item of clothing.

"Tabard" was commissioned after the end of the Second World War, and consequently had a relatively peaceful career. On 8 May 1963, "Tabard" was involved in a minor collision with Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS "Queenborough", following a week of anti-submarine training exercises.Trevor Weaver (1994). "Q class Destroyers and Frigates of the Royal Australian Navy", pg 194] "Tabard" was at periscope depth when "Queenborough" passed above her, damaging the submarine's fin and the frigate's keel and port propellor. Both vessels were able to safely return to Sydney, where they docked at naval base HMAS "Kuttabul" for repairs.

"Tabard" was permanently moored as a static training submarine at the HMS "Dolphin" shore-establishment from 1969 until 1974, when she was replaced by HMS "Alliance".

"Tabard" was the last T class boat in service with Royal Navy, albeit non-operationally, finally being sold to be broken up for scrap on 2 January 1974 and scrapped on 14 March 1974. [ [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3528.html HMS Tabard] , Uboat.net]

References

*"Submarines, War Beneath The Waves, From 1776 To The Present Day", by Robert Hutchinson
*Colledge
** cite book |last=Weaver |first=Trevor |title=Q class Destroyers and Frigates of the Royal Australian Navy |year=1994 |publisher=Naval History Society of Australia |location=Garden Island, NSW |isbn=0-9587456-3-3 |oclc=