February 13th - On This Date - RN Submarine Service

1919	L25	Submarine HMS L25 launched
1945	Talent	Submarine HMS Talent launched
1945	Tasman	Submarine HMS Tasman launched
1942	HMS Tempest	Lost HMS Tempest sailed from Malta on the night of 10th Feb 1942 to patrol the Gulf of Taranto. On the evening of the 11th, Tempest was signalled that the Italians were aware of a submarine in her vicinity and that it should be assumed that her patrol had been compromised. At 03:02 on the 13th, the Italian destroyer Circe sighted the submarine on the surface. Tempest had also seen the destroyer and began to dive. Circe moved in to attack , and at 03:32 began depth charging the area. At 07:16 Circe still in contact with the Tempest began a second attack, resulting in oil being seen on the surface. The submarine had been crippled. At 09:45 Tempest returned to the surface to be met with gunfire from the Circe. The order was given to abandon the submarine, the crew being picked up by the destroyer. The Italians attempted to board the abandoned vessel but were held back by rough seas. By 13:00 the submarine had settled in the water and the demolition charges set by the crew had failed. With boarding of the submarine impossible due to bad weather, the Italian destroyer opened fire and, although more than a dozen direct hits were recorded the submarine refused to sink. Finally the Italians attempted to take the submarine in tow. Two members of the destroyers crew boarded her and prepared the tow. As Circe Manoeuvered to take up the tow, Tempest suddenly started to sink, forcing those on board to jump into the sea. HMS Tempest slipped beneath the waves stern first with the bows disappearing vertically.
1942	HMS P36	HMS P 36 fires four torpedoes against the Italian heavy cruisers Gorizia and Trento in the Ionian Sea about 90 nautical miles east of Capo Spartivento, Calabria, Italy. All torpedoes missed.
1943	HMS Thunderbolt	HMS Thunderbolt sinks the Italian auxiliary minesweeper No.112/Mafalda with gunfire off Isola Lungha.
1944	HMS Stubborn	HMS Stubborn unsuccesfully attacks a German convoy of 5 ships off the Folda Fjord, Norway. Stubborn fired 6 torpedoes but none found their target. Stubborn is heavily damaged by the German escort ships and has to be towed home.
1944	HMS Taku	HMS Taku torpedoes and sinks the German merchant Hans Bornhofen in the Boknafjorden, 8 nautical miles south of Skudeneshavn, Norway.
1945	HMS Thorough	HMS Thorough sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire of the west coast of Siam.

SAB