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Tempest (N86)

Built By: Cammell Laird (Mersey)
Build Group: T 2
Fate: Scuttled in position 39º11' North 17º47' East in the Gulf of Taranto on 13th February, 1942

The boat was detected and there followed a seven-hour depth charge attack by the Italian Torpedo Boat Circe (Capitano di Corvetta Stephanino Palmas). Following an epic struggle the submarine was forced to the surface in heavy seas.

The Italians botched the rescue, and of the crew of sixty-three there were twenty-four survivors (twenty-three out of sixty-two, according to the Coxswain). The remainder were lost
Tempest (N86)
Tempest (N86)

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RN Submarines scuttled or captured in WWII

Descriptions of the events in WWII that led to the loss of Royal Navy Submarines in actions where the submarines were sunk, usually by scuttling, with the captains and crew taken prisoner. Included are two variations - in one case the submarine was captured and in another the captain was killed in action.

Roll of Honour
39
Died: 13-02-1942
Baines, Edward Lewis  P/JX 143981
Leading Telegraphist Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 21
Burns, John  D/JX 140126
Petty Officer Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 25
Burns, John Hugh Paul  D/JX 167231
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 21
Cameron, Donald  C/MX 73098
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 34
Buried in Bari
Cavaye, William Alexander Keith Napier 
Lieutenant Commander Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 35
Collett, Albert Harry  P/KX 88439
Stoker 1st Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 29
Cope, Thomas Smith  C/KX 114379
Stoker 1st Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 22
Cronin, Alfred john  C/JX 266184
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 31
Davies, George William  D/KX 132023
Stoker 2nd Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 19
Drew, Frederick  P/JX 154013
Signalman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 20
Eales, Robert Charles  D/JX 203162
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 20
Fiddes, Ernest Herbert Alfred  MID D/KX 82259
Stoker Petty Officer Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 27
Frain, Christopher  P/SSX 23655
Leading Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 22
Gomer, Ronald Charles  D/MX 49082
Petty Officer Cook Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 28
Hardy, George Frederick  C/KX 93965
Stoker 1st Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 22
Jackson, Peter George William  P/JX 157500
Telegraphist Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 19
Jury, Archie Edward  D/KX 79574
Leading Stoker Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 32
Kelly, Daniel  D/KX 93894
Stoker 1st Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 29
Lavender, Fred  C/KX 82135
Stoker 1st Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 28
Loose, Douglas Edwin Alfred  P/MX 78277
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 22
Lowin, Ernest Thomas Joseph  C/SSX 20128
Leading Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 23
Meek, Joseph Anthony  C/JX 152623
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 24
Morrison, John  D/KX 80906
Stoker 1st Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 30
Neel-Wall, Michael Neel 
Lieutenant Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 21
Parsons, George Emmanuel Henry  C/MX 54986
Leading Cook Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 23
Pritchard, Hugh  C/SSX 33930
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 19
Rear, Frederick  C/KX 93380
Stoker 1st Class Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 22
Sanders, John Alfred  D/JX 138319
Petty Officer Telegraphist Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 24
Shipley, Edward  P/LX 21906
Leading Steward Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 26
Spowart, Albert  P/K 60766
Chief Stoker Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 40
Stevens, Frederick Arthur  C/M 37007
Chief Engine Room Artificer Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 35
Waddell, Christopher McTaggart  C/KX 91739
Leading Stoker Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 26
Wainwright, Reginald John  P/KX 85580
Stoker Petty Officer Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 25
Waters, Christopher Paul  D/JX 206092
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 22
Waugh, Andrew  P/SSX 21188
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 22
Whitfield, Harry Cromwell  C/SSX 17514
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 24
Williams, David Isaac  D/JX 137378
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 25
Winter, John Leslie  D/JX 198481
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 20
Worth, Alan George  D/JX 153135
Able Seaman Died: 13-02-1942 Aged: 20

Events

06-01-1940 Laid Down
10-06-1941 Launched
06-12-1941 Completed
13-02-1942 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.
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