This page is our compilation of data from several different databases. All data shown here is dynamic, but is accurate according to the information we have right now. Although content is still being added daily, more than 75% of the launched and commissioned data is already in place, so this section is almost complete.
Quick links: War losses - General events
The Shipyard Report
Laid down (30)
1937: 
Patrol vessel Widgeon (L 62 / K 62)
1942:
Minesweeper Wagga (J 315) - 
Destroyer Franks (DD 554) -
Submarine chaser SC-699 (SC-699)
1943:
Tank landing ship LST 81 (LST 81) -
Destroyer Escort Amesbury (DE 66) -
Light cruiser Dayton (CL 105) -
Destroyer Escort Joyce (DE 317) -
Destroyer Knapp (DD 653) -
Tank landing ship LST 241 (LST 241) -
Tank landing ship LST 242 (LST 242) -
Tank landing ship LST 81 (LST 81) -
Patrol craft PCS-1426 (PCS-1426) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 296 -
Motor torpedo boat PT 344 -
Frigate Shreveport (PF-23) -
Minesweeper YMS-339 (YMS-339)
1944:
Submarine Achates (ii) (P 433) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1023 (LCI(L)-1023) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-585 (LCI(L)-585) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-586 (LCI(L)-586) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-666 (LCI(L)-666) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-970 (LCI(L)-970) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-971 (LCI(L)-971) -
Landing craft tank LCT 677 (LCT 677) -
Tank landing ship LST 619 (LST 619) -
Submarine Sennet (408)
1945:
Oiler Passumpsic (AO 107) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 614 -
Motor torpedo boat PT 700
Launched (32)
1919:
Destroyer Broadwater (H 81) - Destroyer Mason (DD 191)
1920: Destroyer Preble (DM 20) - Submarine S-15 (120)
1921: 
Submarine K VII
1928: MS Trawler Stella Leonis (FY 706)
1941: Net tender Boxwood (AN 8) - Minesweeper Chimango (AMc-42) - 
Submarine K-54
1942: Seaplane tender Absecon (AVP 23) - Destroyer Carmick (DD 493) - Patrol craft PC-550 (PC-550)
1943: 
Frigate Croix de Lorraine (K 258) - MS Trawler Calcutta (T 339) - Boom defence vessel Barnaby (Z 237) - Frigate Glenarm (K 258) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 703 (LCT 703) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1026 (FY 1026) - Salvage vessel Prince Salvor (W 05) - Destroyer Urchin (ii) (R 99) - Motor minesweeper IJsselmonde (FY 1026) - 
Icebreaker Southwind (WAGB 280) - Tank landing ship LST 68 (LST 68)
1944: Boom defence vessel Prefect (Z 263) - Destroyer Zebra (R 81) - Destroyer Escort Douglas A. Munro (DE 422) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-571 (LCI(L)-571) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-663 (LCI(L)-663) - Landing craft tank LCT 1016 (LCT 1016) - Landing craft tank LCT 995 (LCT 995) - Submarine chaser SC-1476 (SC-1476)
1946: Destroyer Shelton (ii) (DD 790)
Commissioned (37)
1915: Battleship Warspite (03)
1935: Submarine Salmon (N 65)
1940: Submarine Tarpon (N 17) - Fleet tug Seminole (AT 65)
1943: Motor Launch ML 407 (ML 407) - Motor Gun Boat MGB 663 (MGB 663) - Motor minesweeper MMS 137 (J 637) - Motor minesweeper MMS 269 (J 769) - Motor minesweeper MMS 278 (J 778) - MS Trawler Proof (T 191) - MS Trawler Provost (T 196) - MS Trawler Sir Lamorak (T 242) - Destroyer Troubridge (R 00) - Submarine Universal (P 57) - Escort carrier Block Island (ii) (CVE 21) - Tank landing ship LST 469 (LST 469) - Submarine chaser SC-681 (SC-681) - Submarine chaser SC-728 (SC-728) - Minesweeper YMS-163 (YMS-163)
1944: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-270 (LCI(L)-270) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-271 (LCI(L)-271) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-288 (LCI(L)-288) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-295 (LCI(L)-295) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-302 (LCI(L)-302) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-310 (LCI(L)-310) - Motor Launch ML 415 (ML 415) - Motor torpedo boat PT 523 - Submarine Sealion (ii) (315)
1945: Landing Craft Tank LCT 1220 (LCT 1220) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1089 (FY 1089) - High speed transport John Q. Roberts (APD 94) - Tank landing ship LST 1063 (LST 1063) - Motor torpedo boat PT 581 - Destroyer Strong (ii) (DD 758)
1946: Frigate Porlock Bay (K 650) - Destroyer Rupertus (DD 851)
1961: Light cruiser Blake (99)
Legend:
Laid down means that the ship's construction was officially started by laying down the keel (often just a single steel beam but could also mean the first of many pre-fabricated sections).
Launched means that the ship was launched from its shipyard, it then began its fitting out period (installation of smaller systems, weapons etc.) - in many yards the ships were launched very complete and needed little work afterwards.
Commissioned is when the navy takes the ship officially over and gives command of it to its new captain.
War Losses on 8 March (5)
1942: ASW Trawler Northern Princess (4.06) - Minesweeper Eland Dubois - Minesweeper Jan van Amstel - Minelayer Krakatau
1943: Landing craft tank LCT 2480 (LCT 2480)
More information on Allied Warships losses.
General Events on 8 March
1940
Light cruiser HMS Dunedin: The British light cruiser Dunedin (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CVO, RN) and the Canadian destroyer Assiniboine (Cdr. E. Mainguy, RCN) intercept and capture the German merchant Hannover near Jamaica.
The Hannover later became the first British escort carrier, British escort carrier HMS Audacity.
Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) arrived at Oleh Leh (Banda Atjeh), Sumatra.
Submarine HMS Odin: HMS Odin (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Woods, RN) departed Diego Saurez to continue her patrol.
Submarine HMS Osiris: HMS Osiris (Lt.Cdr. R. Sheridan-Patterson, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria.
Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) completed refit at Hong Kong and started her post refit trials.
Submarine HMS Rainbow: HMS Rainbow (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Luce, RN) was undocked.
Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Studholme, RN) arrived at Harwich.
Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Valena (Capt. W.H. Poole, RNR) and HMS Conqueror (Capt.(Retd.) E.T.R. Chambers, RN).
Destroyer HMS Walpole: HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN) picks up 78 survivors from the British merchant Counsellor that was sunk 6 nautical miles bearing 280 from Liverpool Bar Lightship in position 53°38'N, 03°23'W after hitting a mine laid on 6 January 1940 by German U-boat U-30
1941
Heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall: HMS Cornwall (Capt. P.C.W. Manwaring, RN) departed St. Helena for patrol and escort duties.
She joined convoy WS 6 on 11 March.
[See the event 'Convoy WS 6' for 8 March 1941 for more information on this convoy.]
Heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall: Convoy WS 6.
This convoy departed Freetown on 8 March 1941 for South / Africa (Capetown / Durban).
It was a combined convoy made up with ships from convoy's WS 6A and WS 6B which had come to Freetown from the U.K.
The convoy was made up with the following troopships / transports;
Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914),
Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910),
Bellerophon (British, 9019 GRT, built 1906),
Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913),
Burdwan (British, 6069 GRT, built 1928),
Cape Horn (British, 5643 GRT, built 1929),
City of Athens (British, 6558 GRT, built 1923),
City of Corinth (British, 5318 GRT, built 1918),
City of Hankow (British, 7360 GRT, built 1915),
City of London (British, 8956 GRT, built 1907),
City of Pittsburg (British, 7377 GRT, built 1922),
Consuelo (British, 4847 GRT, built 1937),
Dalesman (British, 6343 GRT, built 1940),
Kina II (British, 9823 GRT, built 1939),
Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929),
Llandaff Castle (British, 10799 GRT, built 1926),
Llanstephan Castle (British, 11348 GRT, built 1914),
Logician (British, 5993 GRT, built 1928),
Mahseer (British, 7911 GRT, built 1925),
Manchester Citizen (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925),
Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922),
Northumberland (British, 11558 GRT, built 1915),
Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926),
Opawa (British, 10354 GRT, built 1931),
Port Alma (British, 8400 GRT, built 1928),
Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929),
Ruahine (British, 10832 GRT, built 1909),
Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937),
Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920) and
Thysville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922).
The convoy was escorted by the light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cathay (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.M. Merewether, RN).
Heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. P.C.W. Manwaring, RN) joined the convoy at 1126Z/11 in position 00°50'N, 06°48'W. HMS Cathay was then detached with orders to proceed direct to Capetown at her best speed.
At 0600Z/20 the Almanzora, Bergenfjord, Llanstephan Castle, Ruahine and Scythia parted company for Capetown. These ships were to take on board water at Capetown. They were escorted by HMS Birmingham.
At 1600Z/21 the Capetown section of the convoy was detached. It was made up of Ascanius, Burdwan, Cape Horn, City of Athens, Consuelo, Kina II, Leopoldville, Llandaff Castle, Nova Scotia and Opewa. They were being escorted by HMS Phoebe. These ships were to arrive at Capetown at 0700Z/22.
At 2055Z/22 the Port Alma was detached to proceed independently to Capetown.
At 1300Z/25, HMS Phoebe with Almanzora, Bergenfjord, Llanstephan Castle, Ruahine and Scythia rejoined the convoy. Consuelo, from the Capetown section, was also present.
At dusk on the 25th, HMS Phoebe, was sent ahead to Durban with six of the faster ships to arrive two to three hours ahead of the remainder on the 26th.
The whole convoy had arrived at Durban well before noon on the 26th.
----------------------------------------------------
On 27 March 1941 the following troopships / transports sailed from Capetown; Ascanius, Burdwan, Cape Horn, City of Athens, Kina II, LLandaff Castle, Nova Scotia, Opawa and Port Alma. These was one new addition to the convoy; Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1926). They were being escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN).
On 1 April 1941 the following troopships / transports sailed from Durban; Bellerophon, Bergensfjord, City of Corinth, City of Hankow, City of London, City of Pittsburg, Consuelo, Dalesman, Llanstephan Castle, Logician, Masheer, Manchester Citizen, Salween and Thysville. There were also five new additions to the convoy, these were;
City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922),
Costa Rica (Dutch, 8055 GRT, built 1910),
Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936),
Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922) and
Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928). The Durban section was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall and light cruiser HMS Phoebe.
The Capetown section and Durban section made rendez-vous late in the morning of April 2nd.
HMS Phoebe parted company with the convoy in the evening of April 3rd. She arrived at Aden on 10 April.
HMS Dorsetshire parted company with the convoy in the evening of April 7th. She arrived at Durban on 10 April.
Around noon on the 12th the convoy was joined by the transport Talamba (British, 8018 GRT, built 1924) which came from the Seychelles and was escorted by HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN). They had departed the Seychelles on 8 April. HMS Glasgow parted company with the convoy on 13 April and arrived back in the Seychelles on 16 April.
The convoy was disbanded in the morning of April 17th near Perim. Most of the ships in the convoy proceeded to Suez independently at their best speed. HMS Cornwall arrived at Aden very late in the afternoon of 17 April.
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry via Holyhead. She was escorted by HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN).
Submarine HMS Rover: HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said.
Submarine HMS Tuna: At 1217 hours, HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. M.K. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, DSO, RN), made rendes-vous with her escort towards Holy Loch, the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse.
Submarine HMS Upholder: HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) attacked a convoy North of Tripoli with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained.
(All times are zone -2)
0750 hours - In position 33°15'N, 13°10'E sighted three ships approaching from the Northward. Enemy course was 173°, speed 9 knots. They proved to be a small tug, one 1500 tons diesel vessel and an armed trawler. Started attack.
0830 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the 1500 tons ship. No hits were obtained.
This may have been Tugnin F. (425 GRT, 1919) escorted by Pave and Capodoglio but it is not confirmed.
Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. H.S. Mackenzie, RN) departed Campbeltown to Londonderry. [She made the passage under escort from a destroyer but the log of H 28 does not give the name of this ship.]
Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.
Submarine HMS H 34: With her refit completed, HMS H 34 (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN), departed Sheerness for Methill. She made the passage in convoy FN 427.
Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Trillium (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Harris, RCNR) and HMCS Windflower (T/Lt. J.H.S. MacDonald, RCNR).
Light cruiser HMS Bonaventure (i): HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) and HMS Bonaventure (Capt. H.G. Egerton, RN) returned to Alexandria around 1400 hours.
Battleship HMS Barham: HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN, flying the flag of A/Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, DSC, RN), HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Suda Bay to cover the passage of convoy's through the Kithera Strait.
They were joined at sea by the destroyers HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN) the next day.
Destroyer HMS Forester: The British merchants Lahore and Tielbank are torpedoed and sunk north of the Cape Verde Islands in position 20°51'N, 20°32'W by German U-boat U-124. HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC, RN) later picks up 82 survivors from the Lahore and 62 from the Tielbank.
HMS Faulknor, and HMS Forester together pick up 107 survivors from the British merchant Nardana that was also torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-124 north of the Cape Verde Islands in position 20°51'N, 20°32'W.
Destroyer HMS Verity: HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) picks up 39 survivors from the British merchant Dunaff Head that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-A south of Iceland in position 60°33'N, 18°50'W.
Destroyer HMS Faulknor: HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN) picks up 61 survivors from the British merchant Harmodius that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-105 north-north-east of the Cape Verde Islands in position 20°35'N, 20°40'W.
HMS Faulknor also picks up 6 survivors from the British merchant Hindpool that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-124 north of the Cape Verde Islands in position 20°51'N, 20°32'W.
HMS Faulknor, and HMS Forester together pick up 107 survivors from the British merchant Nardana that was also torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-124 north of the Cape Verde Islands in position 20°51'N, 20°32'W.
Destroyer HMS Wolverine: HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rowland, RN) attacked German U-boat U-A with depth charges south off Iceland. This attack is often credited to have resulted in the loss of the famous U-47 but this is not true.
1942
Submarine HNoMS Uredd: HNoMS Uredd (Lt. Røren) departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick. She was escorted by HNoMS Draug.
Light cruiser HMS Manchester: HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN) departed Hampton Roads for Bermuda.
For the daily positions of HMS Manchester from 8 to 17 March see the map below.
Submarine HNMS K XI: Shortly after noon, in position 11°30'S, 108°54'E HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) picked up 18 survivors from the Australian sloop HMAS Yarra (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Rankin, RAN), the British depot ship HMS Anking (Capt. J.P.L. Reid, RN) and the KPM steamer Parigi. The first two ships had been sunk on the 4th by Japanese warships. Parigi had been sunk on the 1st and 36 survivors had been picked up by HMAS Yarra on the 2nd. One of these was amongst the survivors picked up by HrMs K XI.
One of the survivors died in the early evening and was buried at sea.
Submarine HNMS K XII: HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) tried to pass through either Strait Bali, Strait Lombok or Strait Atlas but Japanese destroyers were sighted patrolling at all places. It was decided to postpone the passage and if it proved to be impossible to pass the above mentioned Strait's to pass through Stait Sape.
Submarine HNMS O 19: HrMs O 19 (Lt. H.F. Bach Kolling, RNN(R)) patrolled south of Lombok.
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) was towed to a repair facilility in Londonderry to effect repairs as she was very difficult to steer.
Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo.
Submarine HMS Umbra: While dived during daylight at Malta with half the crew on board, HMS P 35 (Lt. S.L.C. Maydon, RN) has her pressure hull pierced forward by accident. The tube space flooded. She tried to surface but failed to do so. She was then raised a few hours later and was docked for repairs.
Submarine HMS Unison: HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Ardrossan where she was immediately docked.
Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Destroyer HMS Ilex: HMS Ilex (Lt. G.R.P. Goodden, RN) arrived at Trinidad.
Submarine USSR M-36: M-36 fires a torpedo into Yalta harbour, Crimea. The torpedo fails to hit a target and runs up the beach.
Submarine USS S-1: USS S-1 shifted from the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island to New London, Connecticut.
Submarine HMS Graph: HMS Graph (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS P 614: P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for the Clyde area to begin a period of trials and training. She is escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(retired) R.H. Mack, RN).
Net tender USS Mulberry: USS Mulberry picks up the survivors of the American merchant Cardonia that was torpedoed and sunk the day before by German U-boat U-126 about 5 nautical miles west-north-west of the St. Nicholas Mole, Haiti in position 19°53'N, 73°27'W.
1943
Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle as escort for convoy OW 5 (Fremantle - Colombo) which was made up of the American cargo ships Cape Charles
Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo.
Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises with ML's off Ardishaig.
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Mutine (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.E. Morley, DSC, RNVR).
Submarine USS Permit: USS Permit (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant Hisashima Maru (2747 GRT) off the northern tip of Honshu in position 41°16'N, 142°27'E.
Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) attacked a German U-boat with four torpedoes in position 44°48'N, 12°13'W. No hits were obtained. [the U-boat attacked was most likely U-462]
1430 hours - Heard HE bearing Red 150°. The Officer of the Watch sighted the conning tower of a uboat bearing Red 165°, course uncertain.
1445 hours - Lt. Profit now also sighted the uboat throught the Low Power periscope (The attack periscope was defective). Bearing Green 25°. Enemy course 040°. Range 2300 yards. Started attack.
1451 hours - In position 44°48'N, 12°13'W fired four torpedoes. No hits were obtained.
Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN).
Submarine HMS Regent: HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol at Gibraltar.
Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campeltown with HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR) and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. A. McKay, RNR).
Submarine HMS Sahib: HMS Sahib (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN) departed Malta loaded with stores for Algiers.
For the daily and of HMS Sahib during this passage see the map below.
Submarine HMS Satyr: HMS Satyr (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.
Submarine HMS Shakespeare: HMS Shakespeare (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth.
Submarine HMS Stubborn: Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.
Submarine HMS Tribune: With her repairs completed, HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN), departed from Gibraltar for Algiers.
Submarine HMS Templar: HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted RDF trials off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Trespasser: HMS Trespasser (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) carries out exercises with HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN), HMS Offa (Capt. J. A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN).
Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Unison: HMS Unison (Lt. A.R. Daniell, DSC, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. The patrol had been uneventful.
Submarine HMS United: During the evening HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) landed a folbot with two of COPP III's party (Lieutenant Hart and Sub Lieutenant Folder) off Cava d'Aliga, Sicily for an inspection of the beach.
Submarine HMS Unrivalled: At 1953 hours (zone -1), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), launched a folbot with a crew of two to search for the crew of the folbot that had been launched the previous evening. This folbot and her crew also failed to return. The four men were captured by Italian coast guards.
Submarine HMS Usurper: HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Trespasser (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN), HMS Offa (Capt. J. A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN).
Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted final exeptance trials in Gare Loch.
Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Eyebright (T/Lt. H.L. Quinn, RCNVR), HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. R.W.H. Elsden, RNVR), HMS Cape Argona (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.R. Pate, RNR) and HMS Lord Middleton (T/Lt. G.O.T.D. Henderson, RNVR).
Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) shifted from Londonderry to Rothesay. Later the same day HMS H 34 proceeded from Rothesay to Kames Bay where she was immediately docked.
Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt.Cdr. E.D`H. Haskins, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Galantin, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt. E.T. Shepard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USSR ShCh-215: At 1752 hours ShCh-215 fires 3 torpedoes against the small German tanker Wolga-Don (965 GRT) escorted by 2 patrol vessels west-south-west of Cape Tarkhankut, Crimea in position 45°18'N, 32°33'E. All 3 torpedoes fired missed their target.
Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Graph: HMS Graph (Lt. P.B. Marriott, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.
Cutter USCGC Spencer: German U-boat U-633 was sunk in the North Atlantic south-west of Iceland, in position 58.21N, 31.00W, by depth charges from the US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Spencer.
1944
Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted trials off Colombo.
Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. J.A. Dunn, RCNVR), HMCS Forrest Hill (T/Lt. E.U. Jones, RCNVR), an unidentified vessel (we are unable to read the name in the log of HrMs O 9) and HMCS La Malbaie (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Davis, RCNVR).
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Benbecula (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.F.W. Boumphrey, RNVR), HMS Arcturus (T/Lt. H.R. Grief, RNR),
HMS Flint Castle (T/Lt. N. Harrison, RNVR) and HMS Crowlin (A/Skr.Lt. A. Smith, RNR).
Submarine HNMS Zeehond: HrMs Zeehond (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) was docked at Rothesay.
Submarine USS Plunger: USS Plunger (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bass) ended her 10th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.
Submarine USS Pogy: USS Pogy (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Metcalf) ended her very successful 5th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.
Submarine USS Balao: USS Balao (Cdr. C.C. Cole, USN) departed Langemak Bak for Pearl Harbour. She was escorted out by USS PC-1134.
Submarine USS Cabrilla: USS Cabrilla (Cdr. W.C. Thompson, Jr., USN) is ordered to take up a position off north-west Australia. The reason for this must have been that a Japanese cruiser force was on a raid in the Indian Ocean and possibly en-route to Australian waters.
Submarine USS Perch (ii): USS Perch (ii) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) was undocked at Kames Bay. She immediately returned to Rothesay.
Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. C.A.J. Nicholl, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, DSC, RNR) and HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).
Submarine HMS Porpoise: HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR) and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. H. Crighton, RNR).
Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) arrived at Londonderry.
Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR) and HMS Proteus (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) served as the targets.
Submarine HMS Sea Rover: HMS Sea Rover (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport Shobu Maru (2005 GRT, built 1942) in the Malacca Stait in position 03°38'N, 99°12'E.
(All times are zone -6.5)
1000 hours - In position 03°39'N, 99°14'E sighted a convoy of five merchant ships with one escort bearing 125°. Commenced attack.
1109 hours - Fired six torpedoes at the second ship of the middle column (thought to be of 4000 tons) from 1200 yards. Enemy course was 305°, speed 9 knots. It was hoped that if torpedoes missed they would hit a ship in the last column. It is thought that the 3rd torpedo hit the target but this was not observed.
While going deep Sea Rover hit the bottom hard at only 45 feet. 29 Depth charges were dropped over the next hour but none was very close. Meanwhile Sea Rover made her way to deeper water. It was thought breaking up noises were also heard.
1215 hours - Returned to periscope depth. The escort was stopped only 1500 yards away.
Went deep again.
1225 hours - Three more depth charges were dropped.
1408 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight except 2 small junks.
Submarine HMS Sea Nymph: HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Lerwick.
Submarine HMS Sirdar: HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) carried out trials off Portsmouth.
Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Taku: HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is undocked.
Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth.
Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) conducts attack exercises with HMS Bermuda (Capt. J.S. Bethell, CBE, RN).
Submarine HMS Terrapin: HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, CB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR). Following these A/S exercises a practice attack was made on HMS Starling.
Submarine HMS Trenchant: HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.
Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS Unbending (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Unbroken: HMS Unbroken (Lt. P.L. Langley-Smith, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Unison: HMS Unison (T/Lt. P.C.S. Pritchard, RNR) and HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN) departed Plymouth for Rothesay. They were escorted HMS Herschell (T/Lt. J.E. Freestone, RNR) and HMS Daffodil (Cdr.(Retd.) S.F. Russell, RN).
Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Lochy (Lt.Cdr. W.J.P. Roberts, RNR), HMS Nadder (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Kitto, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.F. Broadhead, RNR) and HMS Rushen Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Warwick, DSC, RNR).
Submarine HMS Venturer: HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Lerwick. She departed for Dundee later the same day. She was escorted by HMS Lightfoot (Lt.Cdr. T.M. Williams, RNR).
Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.
Submarine HMS Visigoth: Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Paynter (T/Lt. T.B.S. Brown, RNVR).
Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Prince Rupert (T/Lt.Cdr. R.W. Draney, RCNR), HMCS Napanee (T/Lt. S. Henderson, RCNR), HMCS Saskatchewan (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN), HMCS Bittersweet (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Waskesiu (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Fraser, RCNR) and HMCS Outremont (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H. Freeland, DSO, RCNR).
Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) proceeded from Londonderry to Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR).
Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (T/Lt. A.F. Wicker, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR) and HMS Spaniel.
Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. J.A. Wingate, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.
Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt.Cdr. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Shepard, USN or Lt. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine RHS Pipinos: Pipinos (Lt.Cdr. Rallis) attacked but misses the German minelayer Drache and the German merchant Burgas in the Aegean Sea near the Gulf of Saloniki.
1945
Destroyer USS Harry F. Bauer: USS Harry F. Bauer arrived at Ulithi.
Destroyer USS Shannon: USS Shannon departed from the Iwo Jima area bound for Ulithi.
Destroyer USS Thomas E. Fraser: USS Thomas E. Fraser departed from the Iwo Jima area bound for Ulithi.
Battleship USS Iowa: During 8/9 March 1945, USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. Holloway, Jr., USN), conducted trials off San Francisco.
Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) and HMS Inman (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Petre, RNR) served as targets.
Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN), HrMs Zeehond (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) and HrMs O 15 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee with each other.
Submarine USS Cobia: With her repairs completed USS Cobia (Lt.Cdr. A.L. Becker) departed from Fremantle to continue her 4th war patrol.
Submarine USS Billfish: USS Billfish (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Farley, USNR) departed San Francisco for Monterey Bay, California.
Submarine USS Bugara: USS Bugara (Cdr. A.F. Schade, USN) departed Saipan for her patrol area. She was escorted out by USS SC-775 (Lt.(jg). W.E. Parmeter, USNR).
Submarine USS Bumper: USS Bumper (Cdr. J.W. Williams, Jr., USN) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR), USS MacLeish (Lt. D.S. Cramer, USNR), USS PC-592, USS PC-1191 (Lt. J.W. Garnant, USNR) and USS USS SC-1299.
Submarine USS Cabezon: USS Cabezon (Cdr. G.W. Lautrup, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS Sea Fox: USS Sea Fox (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Klinker) departed from Guam for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea south of Formosa.
Submarine USS Sennet: USS Sennet (Cdr. G.E. Porter) ended her 2nd war patrol at Guam.
Submarine USS Quillback: USS Quillback (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Nicholson, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for Key West, Florida.
Submarine HMS Turpin: HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Loch Alsh.
Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee.
Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) and HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) both departed Rothesay for Loch Alsh. They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR).
Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted special trials off Loch Alsh.
Submarine HMS Sirdar: HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf for fuel and provisions. She departed for Fremantle after a few hours.
Submarine HMS Scythian: HMS Scythian (T/Lt. C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) sank three sailing vessels with gunfire off the coast of Burma (between Rangoon and the Mergui Archipelago).
(All times are zone -6.5)
0742 hours - Sighted two junks in position 14°21'N, 97°49'E. Surfaced for gun action. Closed the range on the surface to 2000 yards and then opened fire. The first and largest junk sank after being hit by the 8th round. Fire was then shifted to the second junk. Shortly afterwards this junk lowered her sails so fire was held and the junk was boarded. Examination disclosed a small cargo of rice, vegetables and tobacco leaf. It was decided not to sink such a small vessel with such an important cargo.
0815 hours - Dived in position 14°21'N, 97°49'E.
1039 hours - Sighted another junk close inshore. Closed submerged to the 10 fathom line.
1110 hours - Surfaced in position 14°19'N, 97°56'E and opened fire from 3000 yards. The 23th round hit and the junk sank.
1126 hours - Dived in position 14°20'N, 97°55'E.
1233 hours - Sighted a Northbound junk. Closed submerged to the 10 fathom line.
1305 hours - Surfaced in position 14°19'N, 97°56'E and opened fire from 2000 yards. The 13th round hit well forward and the target settled. It was considered that she would sink.
1320 hours - Dived in position 14°18'N, 97°55'E.
A few more junks were stopped later on the day but they were all allowed to proceed.
Submarine HMS Scotsman: After a period of trials and training in the Clyde area HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made part of the passage together with HMS Sceptre (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) which was to proceed to Loch Alsh. They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR).
Submarine HMS Sidon: HMS Sidon (Lt. H.C. Gowan, RN) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. This was a work up patrol off the And Fjord, the South-West approaches to Tromso. Norway.
Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Torbay: HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) lands the agents as ordered for 'operation baboon'.
1930 hours - Torbay surfaced five nautical miles of the beach and after getting the canoes up on the casing ran in to the release position 2,5 nautical miles from the shore where the canoes were released. Canoe nr.3 with three people on board fell astern of the other two and was not seen again. Nothing further was heard of the people inside it (all three of them are listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website as being killed on 9 March 1945, no further details are known to us at this moment).
0230 hours - Both the other canoes returned to Torbay.
Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt. H.S. May, RN) conducted exercises at / off Scapa Flow.
Submarine HMS Tactician: HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. J.A.L. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Prescott (T/Lt. G.J. Mathewson, RCNVR) and HMCS North Bay (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C. Campbell, RCNVR).
Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN).
Submarine HMS Umbra: HMS Umbra (Lt. W.D.S. Scott, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth.
Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS Unbending (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (T/Lt. A.H. MacCoy, DSC, SANF(V)) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.
Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. J.P. Harvey, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (Lt. J.M.C. Fenton, DSC, RN) returned Tobermory from Oban.
Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.
Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Vampire: HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Jonquil (T/Lt. V.J. Andersen, RNZNVR), HMS Hyderabad (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.P. Hughes, DSC, RNR) and aircraft.
Submarine HMS Venturer: HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.
Submarine HMS Viking: HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch.
Submarine HMS Vivid: HMS Vivid
(Lt. R.M. Seaburne-May, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR).
Submarine HMS Vulpine: HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS ML 472 (T/Lt. V.H. Harris, RNVR) and HMS HDML 1029 (T/Lt. G.C. Organ, RNVR).
Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt.Cdr. L.G. Bernard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. M. Abrahams, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Cunningham, Jr., USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USSR L-21: L-21 lays a minefield off Hela.
Frigate HMS Holmes: The British merchant Lornaston is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-275 in the English Channel in position 50°35'N, 00°30'W. The British frigate HMS Holmes (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.S. Boyle, RNVR) and the British tug HMS Palencia together pick up 48 survivors.
Submarine USS S-13: USS S-13 departed New London, Connecticut for the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Tug HMS Palencia: The British merchant Lornaston is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-275 in the English Channel in position 50°35'N, 00°30'W. The British frigate HMS Holmes (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Boyle) and the British tug HMS Palencia together pick up 48 survivors.