Varangian (P 61)
| Built By: | Vickers (Tyne) |
| Build Group: | U2 |
| Fate: | The Submarine was sold for scrap in June 1949 and was broken up by JJ King at Rosyth. |
Varangian
Commanders
| 1943: | Lieutenant | Jeremy Nash | DSC MID |
| 1943: | Lieutenant | Stephen John Fovargue | |
| 1944: | Lieutenant | Geoffrey James Gellie (RANVR) | |
| 1944: | Lieutenant | Anthony James Sumption | DSC |
| 1945: | Lieutenant | John Henry Newman Pope | MID |
| 1945: | Lieutenant | Reginald Patrick Fitzgerald | DSC MID |
| 1945: | Lieutenant | Anthony James Sumption | DSC |
HMS Varangian was ordered from Vickers on the Tyne on 12th July 1941 and was Laid Down on 23rd Dec 1941. She was launched on 4th April 1943 (some sources state 4th Mar 1943) and the Submarine was named by Winston Churchill. The submarine was completed on 10th July 1943.
The first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Jeremy Nash who was appointed in Command on 30th March 1943. Working Up would have been conducted in the Clyde areas with at least one Work Up patrol in the North Sea.
Between 25th October and 7th Nov 1943 Varangian was patrolling off the Alten Fjord in Norway covering American naval vessels on the way to Russia. The Submarine suffered engine problems in November 1943 which put her out of action until repairs were completed.
A new Commanding Officer (Lt Stephen Forvargue) was appointed on 22nd Nov 1943. It is believed that, for the remainder of the war that the submarine was employed in the Norwegian sea covering Convoys. No information is available on any torpedo or gun attacks by Varangian.
Lt Geoffrey Gellie was appointed in Command on 15th May 1944 and was succeeded by Lt Anthony Sumption on 15th Aug 1944. Lt John Pope assumed Command on 26th June 1945.
HMS Varangian was Paid Off in October 1945 and was transferred to the Reserve Group at Lisahally, Northern Ireland in March 1946.
The Submarine was sold for scrap in June 1949 and was broken up by JJ King at Rosyth.
Roll of Honour |
1
|
| Died: 28-03-1945 | |||||
| Collins, Harold Francis P/SSX36283 | |||||
| Able Seaman | Born: 20-05-1921 | Died: 28-03-1945 | Aged: 23 | ||
| from Birmingham, Warwickshire | |||||
| While HMS Varangian was undergoing Refit at Blyth. Harold Collins died in the Royal Navy Sick Quarters in Blyth after suffering an obstruction of the coronary artery. The son of Harry and Rebecca Collins, of Lozells, Birmingham. |
|||||
Events
| 04-03-1941 | Launched |
| 23-12-1941 | Laid Down |
| 10-07-1943 | Completed |
This form is for you to comment on, or add additional information to this page. Any questions will be deleted. If you wish to ask a question contact the Branch or the Webmaster using the Contact Us page or ask your question on our Facebook Page
