Olympus (N 35)

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Olympus (N 35)

Built By:	Beardmore (Clyde)
Build Group:	O2
Fate:	The boat was used for magic carpet trips to and from Malta. On 8th May she was detailed to evacuate survivors from the bombed submarines, P36, P39 and Pandora. Olympus was mined six miles from St Elmos Light. There were only nine survivors out of the ninety eight crew and passengers.

Olympus

Parthian and Olympus

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Commanders

1933:	Lieutenant Commander	James Alexander Corrie Hill
1937:	Commander	Hugh Valentine King
1942:	Lieutenant Commander	H D Dymott

1930-1931: Portsmouth.
1931-1939: China Station.
1939-1940 - 8th Flotilla: Lucia, Columbo.
1940-1942 - 1st Flotilla: Malta.

From 1931 to 1939, the Olympus was part of the 4th Flotilla on the China Station, a historical formation of the British Royal Navy. Before being deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, the boat was part of the 8th Flotilla, Colombo, Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka), in 1939 and 1940.

It should be noted that although some boats were attached to HMS Medway at Singapore, they often operated in a detached mode covering the China Station such as Hong Kong and even to the point of patrolling the Siberian Coast.

Cdr. King was awarded the OBE for carrying out an unsuccessful pursuit of the Graf Spee which had sunk the Africa Shell in the Mozambique Channel on 15th November 1939.

An Italian aircraft hit and damaged the submarine on July 7, 1940.

1941, sinks or damages a small transporter of around 1.800 tons.

This boat had been adapted for carrying stores and personnel to and from Malta. When leaving Malta on 8th May 1942 she had, with her own crew and passengers, a total of 98 people onboard. On her way to Gibraltar, submarine hit a mine. 89 crew and passengers were lost with the ship; the survivors had to swim 7 miles back to Maltese shores.

A team of divers from Malta and Great Britain originally claimed the discovery of the wreck in 2008 at approximately 35°55'N, 14°35'E, 377 feet below the ocean surface. However, the identity of the submarine was not confirmed until a team from the Key Largo based Aurora Trust was able to re-locate and capture images of the wreck using an ROV in 2011.

Roll of Honour


Arnold, William Edwin P/KX 76142
Arnold, William Edwin P/KX 76142		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker Petty Officer	Aged: 34

Ashton, Stanley D/SSX 31775
Ashton, Stanley D/SSX 31775		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Signalman	Aged: 24

Band, Brian Hugh DSC
Band, Brian Hugh DSC		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Lieutenant	Aged: 25

Bayley, Harry D/JX 237586
Bayley, Harry D/JX 237586		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 24

Beale, Peter Roy P/SSX 27869
Beale, Peter Roy P/SSX 27869		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 20

Best, Arthur Reginald P/KX 80753
Best, Arthur Reginald P/KX 80753		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker Petty Officer	Aged: 29

Boothroyd, Robert D/KX 92235
Boothroyd, Robert D/KX 92235		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 24

Bulmer, Geoffrey Paul
Bulmer, Geoffrey Paul		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Lieutenant	Aged: 22
	From P.39

Burton, William Stanley MID P/J 83485
Burton, William Stanley MID P/J 83485		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Chief Petty Officer	Aged: 41

Butterfield, Percy P/KX 119811
Butterfield, Percy P/KX 119811		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 22

Butterworth, Richard Neville C/MX 49924
Butterworth, Richard Neville C/MX 49924		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class	Aged: 32

Carty, Frank D/SSX 24853
Carty, Frank D/SSX 24853		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 22

Codral, Ernest John Robert C/SSX 32667
Codral, Ernest John Robert C/SSX 32667		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Signalman	Aged: 20

Collinge, John D/SSX 17483
Collinge, John D/SSX 17483		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer	Aged: 24

Collins, Albert Edward C/JX 208347
Collins, Albert Edward C/JX 208347		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 21

Collins, Frank D/MX 60260
Collins, Frank D/MX 60260		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Engine Room Artificer 4th Class	Aged: 23

Crowe, Frederick Makim P/SSX 24969
Crowe, Frederick Makim P/SSX 24969		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Seaman	Aged: 23

Davey, Arthur John D/J 108330
Davey, Arthur John D/J 108330		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer	Aged: 34

Davis, William Batrick C/SSX 28400
Davis, William Batrick C/SSX 28400		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer	Aged: 22

Davis, William Thomas P/KX 112372
Davis, William Thomas P/KX 112372		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 30

Dawson, Peter C/KX 63387
Dawson, Peter C/KX 63387		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 36

Dymott, Herbert George
Dymott, Herbert George		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Lieutenant Commander	Aged: 35
	Commanding Officer

Edmonds, Harry Noel DSC
Edmonds, Harry Noel DSC		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Lieutenant	Aged: 28
	From P.36

Edmunds, Hector William Hiram Frederick P/MX 57729
Edmunds, Hector William Hiram Frederick P/MX 57729		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Engine Room Artificer 4th Class	Aged: 31

Ellis, George Edward P/JX 193943
Ellis, George Edward P/JX 193943		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 27

Fox, Arthur D/JX 217087
Fox, Arthur D/JX 217087		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 21

Freeth, Geoffrey Gilbert P/MX 81875
Freeth, Geoffrey Gilbert P/MX 81875		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Supply Assistant	Aged: 20

Garston, George C/KX 115035
Garston, George C/KX 115035		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 21

Goodier, Joseph C/MX 73121
Goodier, Joseph C/MX 73121		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Engine Room Artificer 4th Class	Aged: 21

Graham, William Henry C/JX 148786
Graham, William Henry C/JX 148786		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Telegraphist	Aged: 26

Guest, William Charles D/M 34918
Guest, William Charles D/M 34918		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Chief Engine Room Artificer	Aged: 38

Gumbrell, Maurice Williams P/JX 159116
Gumbrell, Maurice Williams P/JX 159116		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Telegraphist	Aged: 18

Hadley, Albert Edward P/JX 128290
Hadley, Albert Edward P/JX 128290		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Telegraphist	Aged: 31

Hale, Alfred Victor D/JX 136297
Hale, Alfred Victor D/JX 136297		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer	Aged: 26

Hall, Harry James P/SSX 28505
Hall, Harry James P/SSX 28505		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Seaman	Aged: 21

Hammond, Stanley MacDonald Berwen D/JX 134886
Hammond, Stanley MacDonald Berwen D/JX 134886		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer Telegraphist	Aged: 27

Harrison, Paul Arden D/JX 238495
Harrison, Paul Arden D/JX 238495		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 20

Hawkyard, Douglas (RNR)
Hawkyard, Douglas (RNR)		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Sub Lieutenant	Aged: 24
	From P.39

Highmore, James Wilfred C/JX 129077
Highmore, James Wilfred C/JX 129077		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer	Aged: 30

Hill, Petier Noel C/JX 209826
Hill, Petier Noel C/JX 209826		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 22

Hoath, John Stephen P/KX 110858
Hoath, John Stephen P/KX 110858		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 22

Holt, Frederick Henry D/SSX 16872
Holt, Frederick Henry D/SSX 16872		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 25

Howes, Harry George (Ex, M36110)
Howes, Harry George (Ex, M36110)		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Warrant Engineer	Aged: 36

Hurlock, Albert Edward D/SSX 27585
Hurlock, Albert Edward D/SSX 27585		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 21

Jackman, James Alfred P/KX 80988
Jackman, James Alfred P/KX 80988		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Stoker	Aged: 28

Jarvis, Richard William C/J 48947
Jarvis, Richard William C/J 48947		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 42

Jones, Frank Robert C/JX 207963
Jones, Frank Robert C/JX 207963		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 24

Jones, Kenneth Albert Edward P/LX 22896
Jones, Kenneth Albert Edward P/LX 22896		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Steward	Aged: 22

Knott, Albert Ernest C/SSX 29489
Knott, Albert Ernest C/SSX 29489		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 20

Laister, Geoffrey MID C/JX 149546
Laister, Geoffrey MID C/JX 149546		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Seaman	Aged: 28

Law, Noah C/KX 75431
Law, Noah C/KX 75431		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker Petty Officer	Aged: 36

Leigh, Lewis C/KX 112012
Leigh, Lewis C/KX 112012		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 21

Lindsell, James Anthony DSC
Lindsell, James Anthony DSC		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Lieutenant	Aged: 21
	From Pandora

Marchant, William Harold D/JX 144859
Marchant, William Harold D/JX 144859		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Telegraphist	Aged: 22

Marriot, Norman DSC
Marriot, Norman DSC		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Lieutenant	Aged: 30
	From P.39

Martin, Stanley P/JX 161153
Martin, Stanley P/JX 161153		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Telegraphist	Aged: 20

Milne-Thomson, Peter Raymond Alexander
Milne-Thomson, Peter Raymond Alexander		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Lieutenant	Aged: 20

Mowbray, Frederick Thomas P/KX 95905
Mowbray, Frederick Thomas P/KX 95905		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Stoker	Aged: 21

Neale, Alfred Frank William P/JX 138304
Neale, Alfred Frank William P/JX 138304		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer	Aged: 25

Newland, Gerald Thomas P/SMX 363
Newland, Gerald Thomas P/SMX 363		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Supply Assistant	Aged: 20

Over, Walter P/KX 110204
Over, Walter P/KX 110204		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 22

Owen, Ronald Percival Griffith (RNR)
Owen, Ronald Percival Griffith (RNR)		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Lieutenant	Aged: 30
	From P.39

Pearson, Edward MID* C/KX 111617
Pearson, Edward MID* C/KX 111617		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 21

Pearson, William Glenelg D/KX 81087
Pearson, William Glenelg D/KX 81087		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Stoker	Aged: 30

Peck, Gordon Arthur C/JX 133494
Peck, Gordon Arthur C/JX 133494		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 29

Pike, George Edward Frank P/JX 164965
Pike, George Edward Frank P/JX 164965		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Seaman	Aged: 39

Piper, Raymond William James P/SS 122212
Piper, Raymond William James P/SS 122212		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Stoker	Aged: 41

Plant, Samuel D/MX 56532
Plant, Samuel D/MX 56532		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class	Aged: 28

Poxon, Ronald William P/JX 149626
Poxon, Ronald William P/JX 149626		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 22

Price, Idris Thomas D/KX 107742
Price, Idris Thomas D/KX 107742		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 21

Puttick, Edwin Albert Tucknott P/MX 46180
Puttick, Edwin Albert Tucknott P/MX 46180		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Chief Engine Room Artificer	Aged: 36

Rayner, Percy Murcott P/MX 60486
Rayner, Percy Murcott P/MX 60486		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Engine Room Artificer 4th Class	Aged: 25

Reeve, Bernard Philip P/KX 115881
Reeve, Bernard Philip P/KX 115881		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 20

Regan, Raymond Joseph C/JX 141885
Regan, Raymond Joseph C/JX 141885		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer Telegraphist	Aged: 23

Rescorla, James Alma (RNVR) C/LD/X 4792
Rescorla, James Alma (RNVR) C/LD/X 4792		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 25

Ripley, James D/KX 90797
Ripley, James D/KX 90797		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Stoker 1st Class	Aged: 23

Robertson, William C/SSX 19870
Robertson, William C/SSX 19870		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 22

Smith, Jack D/JX 134036
Smith, Jack D/JX 134036		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Telegraphist	Aged: 27

Staff, John Francis P/JX 156217
Staff, John Francis P/JX 156217		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Telegraphist	Aged: 19

Stovell, Edward Jack C/JX 175288
Stovell, Edward Jack C/JX 175288		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 22

Talbott, Frederick George P/MX 49956
Talbott, Frederick George P/MX 49956		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class	Aged: 31

Thompson, Frederick Ronald D/KX 90159
Thompson, Frederick Ronald D/KX 90159		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Stoker	Aged: 24

Thorpe, Richard D/MX 71555
Thorpe, Richard D/MX 71555		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Writer	Aged: 30

Trueman, Frank D/JX 217221
Trueman, Frank D/JX 217221		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 21

Walton, William Sydney Harland D/SSX 26689
Walton, William Sydney Harland D/SSX 26689		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Able Seaman	Aged: 22

White, David Wickford (RNVR) C/LD/X 4866
White, David Wickford (RNVR) C/LD/X 4866		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Seaman	Aged: 22

White, Richard Albert P/JX 15215
White, Richard Albert P/JX 15215		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Petty Officer	Aged: 24

Wilford, John Francis (RNVR)
Wilford, John Francis (RNVR)		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Sub Lieutenant	Aged: 22

Wilson, Frederick George C/MX 63385
Wilson, Frederick George C/MX 63385		Died: 8th May, 1942.
	Leading Cook	Aged: 24

Events

14-04-1927	Laid Down

11-12-1928	Launched

14-06-1930	Completed

15-11-1939	Carried out an unsuccessful pursuit of the Graf Spee which had sunk the Africa Shell in the Mozambique Channel

07-07-1940	HMS Olympus bombed & damaged by Italian aircraft while in dock at Malta

28-07-1941	HMS Olympus torpedoes and sinks the Italian merchant Monteponi about 10 nautical miles north of Cape Comino, Sardinia, Italy.

29-07-1941	HMS Olympus is damaged by a near miss from an Italian aircraft east of Isola dei Cavoli, Italy.

09-11-1941	HMS Olympus attacks the Italian merchant Mauro Croce with torpedoes and gunfire in the Gulf of Genoa. The target escaped without damage.

08-05-1942	Olympus had been adapted for carrying stores and personnel to and from Malta. She had, with her own crew and passengers, a total of 98 people onboard. On her way to Gibraltar, The submarine hit a mine. 89 crew and passengers were lost with the ship. There were twelve survivors who had to swim 7 miles back to Maltese shores

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Length overall	283 ft 6 inch
Beam	30 ft
Depth	16 ft 11 7/8 inch
Displacement	1781 tons (surface)
	2038 tons (submerged)
Diving Depth	500 ft
Speed	Surface 17 to 17.5 knots (design) 17.5 knots (service) / Submerged 9 knots (design) 8 knots (service)
No. of shafts	2
Propeller	3 blades, 6ft 5in dia
Endurance	Surface: 14000 miles at 8 knots (design)
	Surface: 1400 miles at 8 knots (service)
	Submerged: 60 miles at 4 knots (design)
	Submerged: 8 miles at 8 knots, 52 miles at 4 knots (service)
Armament	6 x 21 inch bow tubes
	2 x 21 inch stern tubes
	(14 torpedoes carried)
	1 x 4 inch gun
Complement	53

Class:	1916 - 1945: L Class
Built By:	Fairfield (Clyde)
Build Group:	L2
Fate:
Sold 16th February 1932

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