Affray (P 421)
| Built By: | Cammell Laird (Mersey) |
| Build Group: | Amphion |
| Fate: | Lost on 16th April 1951 through flooding caused by fractured snorkel in Hurd Deep, off Alderney |
Affray
HMS Affray as she was completed with Oerlikon 'bandstand' seen aft of the fin. Snort has yet to be fitted. The guard rails & stanchions are interesting - the authors failing memory recalls that the stanchions were left in place while at sea to provide identification during the Summer Wars where the fleet was divided into two opposing sides.
Commanders
| 1945: | Lieutenant Commander | Ernest John Donaldson Turner | DSO DSC |
| 1946: | Lieutenant | John Anthony Spender |
Related Pages
Sports divers using new deep water techniques have reached the wreck of the Affray, the Royal Navy submarine in which 75 sailors lost their lives almost 50 years ago in a disaster that remains shrouded in mystery.
HMS Affray was the last RN submarine to be lost at sea. At the time of her sinking, rumours about the cause of her loss circulated widely. Many were discounted once her final resting place had been found and the Official Inquiry's report had been published. However, speculation persists to this day as to the reasons why she sank.
Chief Stoker Mechanics theory about the loss of the Affray
This is a recollection of a conversation with the Chief Stoker Mechanic of HMS Amphion in 1954.
The relatives and the author are not the only ones who would like this mystery solved and I am sure so would the many who served at the time or later, on the sister ships of the Affray, but I don't want to know at the cost of bringing indignity to the remains of these men have no doubt that others with better technical qualifications and easy access to the archives would be able to more comprehensively review the loss of the Affray , but this is simply a commentary by a former submariner of the time on a recently published book about the loss
Roll of Honour |
75
|
| Died: 16-04-1951 | |||||
| Allen, Osborn Harold | |||||
| Engineer Lieutenant | Born: 15-10-1926 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 24 | ||
| Alston, James Hilton | |||||
| Engineer Lieutenant | Born: 11-02-1920 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 31 | ||
| Andrews, Trever John (Royal Marine) X 3263 (Ch) | |||||
| Sergeant | Born: 15-02-1925 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 26 | ||
| SBS Commandos on passage to beach drop off | |||||
| Ashley, George Thomas Eric P/KX 134325 | |||||
| Leading Stoker | Born: 27-12-1922 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 28 | ||
| Barlow, James Berytram D/LX 763226 | |||||
| Leading Steward | Born: 23-04-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Bartrup, Denis Graham P/MX 769278 | |||||
| Electrical Mechanician 1st Class | Born: 24-02-1927 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 24 | ||
| Beddoes, David Benjamin C/SLX 868218 | |||||
| Steward | Born: 08-07-1931 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 19 | ||
| Bennington, David Russell D/MX 58857 | |||||
| Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class | Born: 10-06-1923 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 27 | ||
| Bilton, William (Civilian) | |||||
| Senior Commissioning Engineer | Born: 30-06-1915 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 35 | ||
| Blackburn, John DSC* | |||||
| Lieutenant | Born: 13-09-1922 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 28 | ||
| Commanding Officer | |||||
| Bridges, Oliver Alfred Maynard D/SKX 832096 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 26-05-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Burberry, Alfred Henry C/JX 157156 | |||||
| Chief Petty Officer Stoker | Born: 05-05-1922 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 28 | ||
| Cardno, Robert John C/KX 769554 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 26-10-1927 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 23 | ||
| Cole-Adams, Michael Christopher | |||||
| Engineer Lieutenant | Born: 18-02-1927 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 24 | ||
| Cook, George David D/JX 163572 | |||||
| Leading Seaman | Born: 01-03-1924 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 27 | ||
| Cooper, John Harold D/JX 371976 | |||||
| Petty Officer | Born: 09-03-1927 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 24 | ||
| Curry, Roy D/SKX 790241 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 15-10-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Denny, Frederick Charles MX 745978 | |||||
| Chief Petty Officer Electrician | Born: 26-06-1921 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 29 | ||
| Drury, Frederick D/SKX 854592 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 14-01-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Foster, Derrick James John | |||||
| Lieutenant | Born: 03-08-1925 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 25 | ||
| Frew, Anthony Arthur | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 05-08-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Garwood, Alan Robert | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 06-03-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Gittins, Harold D/SSX 661493 | |||||
| Telegraphist | Born: 11-07-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 20 | ||
| Gostling, Bernard Paul C/KX 832123 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 24-06-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Green, Walter John C/KX 162120 | |||||
| Leading Stoker | Born: 19-04-1924 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 26 | ||
| Greenwood, Jeffrey Langdon | |||||
| Lieutenant | Born: 29-10-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Harkness, William Ronald MID P/SSX 15914 | |||||
| Petty Officer | Born: 10-08-1915 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 35 | ||
| Also as J/X 801036 | |||||
| Harris, Leonard Edwin Stanley C/KX 841775 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 25-09-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Hiles, Roy Gerald Graham P/SKX 846398 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 30-03-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Hodges, John Edwin Albert P/SKX 850727 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 23-09-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 20 | ||
| Hooper, Alfred Herbert George (Royal Marine) X 6485 (Po | |||||
| Marine | Born: 25-07-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| SBS Commando on passage to beach drop off. | |||||
| Horwell, Eric D/SMX 834344 | |||||
| Electrical Mechanician 1st Class | Born: 18-11-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Howard-Johnston, Richard Geoffrey | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 23-09-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Irven, Alan Harold C/JX 292902 | |||||
| Telegraphist | Born: 13-01-1926 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 25 | ||
| Jarvis, Dennis William (Royal Marine) X 4883 (Ch | |||||
| Marine | Born: 31-10-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| SBS Commando on passage to beach drop off. | |||||
| Kirkwood, William James | |||||
| Lieutenant | Born: 12-02-1925 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 26 | ||
| Lansberry, Russell Cruddas | |||||
| Lieutenant | Born: 01-03-1924 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 27 | ||
| Larter, Gordon Richard P/SKX 852151 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 09-11-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 20 | ||
| Leakey, George William C/JX 785105 | |||||
| Able Seaman | Born: 03-11-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Lees, Norman Charles Edwin P/MX 93541 | |||||
| Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class | Born: 21-09-1925 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 25 | ||
| Lewis, William David DSM* D/KX 842311 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 15-10-1922 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 28 | ||
| Linton, William Francis | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 17-02-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Longstaff, William Anthony Comben | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 18-12-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Mackenzie, Colin Ian | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 05-06-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Mackenzie-Edwards, Roderick Petvin | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 31-03-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| McKenzie, John Labourne DSM* P/MX 57125 | |||||
| Chief Engine Room Artificer | Born: 14-12-1912 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 38 | ||
| Also as P/MX 75125 | |||||
| Miller, James D/SKX 803506 | |||||
| Leading Stoker | Born: 03-09-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Nickalls, Hugh Antony Hylton | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 24-07-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| North, Richard Frank | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 23-06-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Pane, Peter Ronald C/JX 819786 | |||||
| Able Seaman | Born: 19-10-1931 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 19 | ||
| Parker, George D/MX 66713 | |||||
| Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class | Born: 20-06-1913 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 37 | ||
| Pearson, Dennis Harry P/JX 371671 | |||||
| Petty Officer | Born: 17-08-1927 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 23 | ||
| Preston, Robin Jocelyn | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 03-12-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Ramplin, Alan P/SKX 871876 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 23-04-1930 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 20 | ||
| Rewcastle, Antony Giles Candon | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 21-03-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Rutter, Jack D/SMX 770424 | |||||
| Radio Electrical Mechanician | Born: 04-03-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Shaw, Frederick Miguel | |||||
| Engineer Lieutenant | Born: 25-05-1926 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 24 | ||
| Shergold, Edward Norman (Royal Marine) X 5874 (Po) | |||||
| Corporal | Born: 12-04-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 23 | ||
| SBS Commando on passage to beach drop off. | |||||
| Smith, Francis Robert C/MX 58198 | |||||
| Cook | Born: 16-07-1920 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 30 | ||
| Smith, John Douglas C/KX 835006 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 09-09-1926 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 24 | ||
| Smith, Ronald Benjamin Brinkley C/JX 157783 | |||||
| Leading Seaman | Born: 14-10-1922 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 28 | ||
| Stewart, Aanthony John P/JX 712811 | |||||
| Able Seaman | Born: 11-05-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Strachan, John Gordon | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 11-08-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Taylor, Maurice George Edwin C. P/MX 715933 | |||||
| Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class | Born: 30-07-1925 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 25 | ||
| Temple, Norman C/KX 527942 | |||||
| Stoker Mechanic | Born: 02-06-1925 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 25 | ||
| Thirkettle, John George C/KX 100698 | |||||
| Petty Officer Stoker | Born: 06-07-1921 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 29 | ||
| Treleaven, John Monckton | |||||
| Engineer Lieutenant | Born: 11-10-1927 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 23 | ||
| Trimby, Victor George P/MX 816151 | |||||
| Leading Stoker | Born: 06-11-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Tugman, Robin Terry | |||||
| Sub Lieutenant | Born: 15-12-1928 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 22 | ||
| Vincent, Roy C/SLX 771525 | |||||
| Steward | Born: 28-04-1929 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 21 | ||
| Welch, Albert George | |||||
| Engineer Lieutenant | Born: 19-05-1927 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 23 | ||
| Whitbread, Reginald Arthur P/KX 82925 | |||||
| Chief Petty Officer Stoker | Born: 02-10-1913 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 37 | ||
| Wood, Herbert James C/MX 745821 | |||||
| Leading Electrical Mechanician | Born: 29-04-1924 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 26 | ||
| Woods, Frederick George MID P/JX 136971 | |||||
| Petty Officer Telegraphist | Born: 02-06-1916 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 34 | ||
| Worsfold, Benjamin James P/JX 371780 | |||||
| Leading Telegraphist | Born: 29-07-1926 | Died: 16-04-1951 | Aged: 24 | ||
Events
| 16-01-1944 | Laid Down |
| 12-04-1945 | Launched |
| 02-05-1946 | Completed |
| 16-04-1951 | HMS Affray left Portsmouth to take part in Exercise Training Spring with a training class of young officers aboard, her orders being to make a daily report between 9am and 10am each morning and to land a party of Royal Marines on any suitable beach in the patrol area during the night. On the morning of the 17th Affray failed to report her position as required and rescue vessels were immediately put on alert as repeated attempts to call up the submarine failed. It was known that she had intended to dive 30 miles south of the Isle of Wight, so the search was concentrated off the island but the exact position of Affray was unknown. A number of vessels involved in the search reported faint Asdic signals and the submarine Ambush decoded a message stating, WE ARE TRAPPED ON THE BOTTOM but the Affray still could not be found. On the evening of the 19th the Admiralty regretfully called off the search. While the search for survivors was now fruitless the search for the Affray was to continue. In the middle of June, after nine weeks of searching, an underwater camera focused on the submarine's nameplate. Her final position proved to be 37 miles from her known diving position. She was lying on an even keel on the edge of a series of underwater chasms known as Hurd’s Deep in the English Channel. Divers could find no evidence of collision damage but noted that her radar aerial and periscope were raised, indicating that she must have been submerged when she foundered. Both hydroplanes were in the rise position indicating that attempts to raise the submarine must have been in operation before being finally defeated by the incoming water. A reason for the disaster was however soon found when the snort mast was examined. A clean break was discovered 3 feet above the deck leading to the conclusion that metal fatigue had caused the loss, allowing water into the boat through a 10-inch hole. This was confirmed by tests carried out on the recovered mast at Portsmouth, all assertions as to a collision being quashed. Exactly what caused the snorkel to shear at the time it did will in all likelihood never be known. |
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