Class

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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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

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 34

Stoker Petty Officer

Ashton, Stanley

D/SSX 31775

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Leading Signalman

Band, Brian Hugh DSC

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 25

Lieutenant

Bayley, Harry

D/JX 237586

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Able Seaman

Beale, Peter Roy

P/SSX 27869

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Able Seaman

Best, Arthur Reginald

P/KX 80753

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 29

Stoker Petty Officer

Boothroyd, Robert

D/KX 92235

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Stoker 1st Class

Bulmer, Geoffrey Paul

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Lieutenant

From P.39

Burton, William Stanley MID

P/J 83485

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 41

Chief Petty Officer

Butterfield, Percy

P/KX 119811

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Stoker 1st Class

Butterworth, Richard Neville

C/MX 49924

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 32

Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class

Carty, Frank

D/SSX 24853

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Able Seaman

Codral, Ernest John Robert

C/SSX 32667

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Signalman

Collinge, John

D/SSX 17483

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Petty Officer

Collins, Albert Edward

C/JX 208347

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Able Seaman

Collins, Frank

D/MX 60260

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 23

Engine Room Artificer 4th Class

Crowe, Frederick Makim

P/SSX 24969

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 23

Leading Seaman

Davey, Arthur John

D/J 108330

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 34

Petty Officer

Davis, William Batrick

C/SSX 28400

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Petty Officer

Davis, William Thomas

P/KX 112372

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 30

Stoker 1st Class

Dawson, Peter

C/KX 63387

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 36

Stoker 1st Class

Dymott, Herbert George

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 35

Lieutenant Commander

Commanding Officer

Edmonds, Harry Noel DSC

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 28

Lieutenant

From P.36

Edmunds, Hector William Hiram Frederick

P/MX 57729

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 31

Engine Room Artificer 4th Class

Ellis, George Edward

P/JX 193943

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 27

Able Seaman

Fox, Arthur

D/JX 217087

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Able Seaman

Freeth, Geoffrey Gilbert

P/MX 81875

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Supply Assistant

Garston, George

C/KX 115035

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Stoker 1st Class

Goodier, Joseph

C/MX 73121

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Engine Room Artificer 4th Class

Graham, William Henry

C/JX 148786

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 26

Telegraphist

Guest, William Charles

D/M 34918

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 38

Chief Engine Room Artificer

Gumbrell, Maurice Williams

P/JX 159116

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 18

Telegraphist

Hadley, Albert Edward

P/JX 128290

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 31

Telegraphist

Hale, Alfred Victor

D/JX 136297

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 26

Petty Officer

Hall, Harry James

P/SSX 28505

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Leading Seaman

Hammond, Stanley MacDonald Berwen

D/JX 134886

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 27

Petty Officer Telegraphist

Harrison, Paul Arden

D/JX 238495

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Able Seaman

Hawkyard, Douglas (RNR)

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Sub Lieutenant

From P.39

Highmore, James Wilfred

C/JX 129077

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 30

Petty Officer

Hill, Petier Noel

C/JX 209826

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Able Seaman

Hoath, John Stephen

P/KX 110858

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Stoker 1st Class

Holt, Frederick Henry

D/SSX 16872

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 25

Able Seaman

Howes, Harry George

(Ex, M36110)

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 36

Warrant Engineer

Hurlock, Albert Edward

D/SSX 27585

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Able Seaman

Jackman, James Alfred

P/KX 80988

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 28

Leading Stoker

Jarvis, Richard William

C/J 48947

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 42

Able Seaman

Jones, Frank Robert

C/JX 207963

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Able Seaman

Jones, Kenneth Albert Edward

P/LX 22896

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Leading Steward

Knott, Albert Ernest

C/SSX 29489

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Able Seaman

Laister, Geoffrey MID

C/JX 149546

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 28

Leading Seaman

Law, Noah

C/KX 75431

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 36

Stoker Petty Officer

Leigh, Lewis

C/KX 112012

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Stoker 1st Class

Lindsell, James Anthony DSC

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Lieutenant

From Pandora

Marchant, William Harold

D/JX 144859

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Leading Telegraphist

Marriot, Norman DSC

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 30

Lieutenant

From P.39

Martin, Stanley

P/JX 161153

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Telegraphist

Milne-Thomson, Peter Raymond Alexander

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Lieutenant

Mowbray, Frederick Thomas

P/KX 95905

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Leading Stoker

Neale, Alfred Frank William

P/JX 138304

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 25

Petty Officer

Newland, Gerald Thomas

P/SMX 363

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Supply Assistant

Over, Walter

P/KX 110204

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Stoker 1st Class

Owen, Ronald Percival Griffith (RNR)

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 30

Lieutenant

From P.39

Pearson, Edward MID*

C/KX 111617

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Stoker 1st Class

Pearson, William Glenelg

D/KX 81087

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 30

Leading Stoker

Peck, Gordon Arthur

C/JX 133494

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 29

Able Seaman

Pike, George Edward Frank

P/JX 164965

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 39

Leading Seaman

Piper, Raymond William James

P/SS 122212

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 41

Leading Stoker

Plant, Samuel

D/MX 56532

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 28

Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class

Poxon, Ronald William

P/JX 149626

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Able Seaman

Price, Idris Thomas

D/KX 107742

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Stoker 1st Class

Puttick, Edwin Albert Tucknott

P/MX 46180

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 36

Chief Engine Room Artificer

Rayner, Percy Murcott

P/MX 60486

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 25

Engine Room Artificer 4th Class

Reeve, Bernard Philip

P/KX 115881

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 20

Stoker 1st Class

Regan, Raymond Joseph

C/JX 141885

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 23

Petty Officer Telegraphist

Rescorla, James Alma (RNVR)

C/LD/X 4792

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 25

Able Seaman

Ripley, James

D/KX 90797

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 23

Stoker 1st Class

Robertson, William

C/SSX 19870

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Able Seaman

Smith, Jack

D/JX 134036

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 27

Telegraphist

Staff, John Francis

P/JX 156217

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 19

Telegraphist

Stovell, Edward Jack

C/JX 175288

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Able Seaman

Talbott, Frederick George

P/MX 49956

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 31

Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class

Thompson, Frederick Ronald

D/KX 90159

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Leading Stoker

Thorpe, Richard

D/MX 71555

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 30

Writer

Trueman, Frank

D/JX 217221

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 21

Able Seaman

Walton, William Sydney Harland

D/SSX 26689

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Able Seaman

White, David Wickford (RNVR)

C/LD/X 4866

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Leading Seaman

White, Richard Albert

P/JX 15215

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Petty Officer

Wilford, John Francis (RNVR)

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 22

Sub Lieutenant

Wilson, Frederick George

C/MX 63385

Died: 8th May, 1942.

Aged: 24

Leading Cook

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

Adoption

Officially adopted by Peterborough
Warship Week from 29 Nov 1941 to 6 Dec 1941

Peterborough participated in the national Warship Week campaign, raising £410,000, equivalent to over £17 million today.

In March 1942, it was announced that the heavy bronze plaque to be affixed in HMS Olympus had been received ready to forward to the Admiralty. Unfortunately, Olympus was lost in May 1942.

Beneath the city arms in bold relief was the inscription 'To commemorate the adoption of HMS Olympus by the citizens of Peterborough and District. Peterborough Warship Week Nov. 29th, Dec. 6th 1941.'

Unfortunately, Olympus was lost in May 1942 and thereafter Peterborough adopted P512 ex US R-1 Class.

Admiralty adoption plaque is held by Peterborough Museum. The Presentation plaque to vessel is held by the Royal Navy Museum.

Submarine Adoptions

O2 Specification

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

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