Category Archives: UK Submarines

News, views and stories about UK submarines

HMS Thetis submarine tragedy: Memorials mark 75 years

Ships join the rescue operation in 1939

The 75th anniversary of the sinking of a submarine with the loss of 99 lives has been marked.

On Sunday wreaths were dropped into the sea off Llandudno to remember the Royal Navy’s worst peacetime tragedy in 1939 involving the HMS Thetis.

A memorial was also unveiled in Birkenhead with the names of all those who died.

An accident happened during sea trials for the new vessel which had sailed from Wirral.

There were 103 men on board on 1 June 1939, twice the usual number, with the Royal Navy crew swelled by engineers from ship builders Cammell Laird.

Due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances, sea water flooded in and the boat nosedived and was unable to resurface.

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After the war ended and the loss of life, it became forgotten about”

End Quote Derek Arnold Son of survivor Walter Arnold

Because the boat was crowded and air in shorter supply, time was of the essence but the rescue operation was hampered by delays and communication problems.

The men were left fighting rising levels of carbon dioxide, 12 miles off the Great Orme.

Derek Arnold’s father Walter was a stoker on board and one of just four survivors.

He was experienced and had been well drilled in what to do during an emergency and eventually escaped through a hatch.

“He was there overnight and was rescued by a ship,” said Mr Arnold.

“What was worse for him personally was how he was treated afterwards.

“He didn’t have his pass book – all their gear was on the submarine – and he wasn’t paid for six months. He relied on help from workers at Cammell Laird and the Salvation Army to put food on the table.”

The wreath-laying by the Llandudno and Moelfre lifeboat crew was at the accident spot.

Those who died on the Thetis either drowned or were poisoned

“As lifeboat crew we are all aware of the power of the sea,” said Rod Pace, Moelfre RNLI operations manager.

At 13:40 BST, the exact time the Thetis signalled her intentions to start the trials, both lifeboats lay wreaths to remember the 99 men.

Mr Arnold has been the instigator of the memorial for Birkenhead on the River Walkway.

It carries the details of those lost and the few who survived.

“It happened three months before World War II – the Thetis actually grounded on Anglesey on the day war was declared,” said Mr Arnold.

“So after the war ended and the loss of life, it became forgotten about.

“But there’s been great interest in what happened and I saw them putting the finishing touches to the memorial, and they’ve done a wonderful job.”

Source – BBC News

UK – Look inside a nuclear submarine during dockyard open days

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HMS Courageous

THE GENERAL public will have the chance to see inside a nuclear submarine during two dockyard open days.

Devonport naval base will throw open its doors this Sunday from 10am to 5pm and on May 26 during the same hours.

Commodore Graeme Little, the commanding officer of the base, has agreed to the base being opened to the public in support of Plymouth’s History Festival.

The days are being run by Friend and Volunteers of Devonport Naval Heritage Centre.

As well as having a tour of a decommissioned submarine, HMS Courageous, the public can also visit the model ship gallery, take a look at the ships figureheads, visit the police museum, look around Gilroy House (the former home of the senior police officer) and enjoy fascinating talks throughout the day.

One of the talks will be given by Peter Holt form the SHIPS (Shipwrecks and History In Plymouth Sound) project.

Bob Cook, from the naval museum, said: “Everyone is welcome to come along. HMS Courageous is set out for visitors but you have to be fit enough to go in and out of the tubes, like going down a manhole, so as long as you don’t have a heart condition, vertico, claustrophobia or are heavily pregnant, you’re more than welcome – but wear trousers.

“We will have a formal opening by the Lord Mayor and we are hoping the commodore will come along too.”

A programme of events will be available on both days to boost museum funds.

Anyone going should head to the Naval Base Heritage Museum off Granby Way (postcode PL1 4HG). Car parking is available.

For more details contact 01752 554200

Sailing into the history books: the Navy’s first women submariners: Trio complete months of training to earn their ‘Dolphins’

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First females in the 110-year history of the Navy’s Submarine Service
Ban on women serving in submarines lifted in December 2011
During training the three women conducted operations on nuclear-powered Vanguard-class submarine HMS Vigilant
‘Dolphin’ is the name give to the clasp worn by qualified submariners

Three women have made history by becoming the first female submariners to serve in the Royal Navy.

Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alexandra Olsson and Penny Thackray have completed months of specialised training to earn their ‘Dolphins’ – the clasp worn by qualified submariners – becoming the first women in the 110-year history of the Navy’s Submarine Service.

For years women were unable to serve on submarines because of possible health risks but, after an independent review found that only pregnant women should not serve, Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, lifted the ban in December 2011.

Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alexandra Olsson and Penny Thackray (left-right) have made history by becoming the first female submariners to serve in the Royal Navy

Today, Mr Hammond said: ‘This is not only a huge personal achievement for these three outstanding officers, as they take up their new roles supporting the ultimate safeguard of our national security, but also an historic moment for the Royal Navy and our armed forces.’

Following the arrival of woman officers, female ratings (non-commissioned personnel) will start training later this year with a view to serving on Vanguard submarines in 2015.

Female personnel will also be able to serve on Astute-class submarines from around 2016.

Ring ring goes the bell: After 110 years of the Silent Service, pioneering Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alex Olsson and Penny Thackray have become the first women to serve onboard a Vanguard class submarine

During their training, previously only undertaken by men, the three women officers conducted operations on nuclear-powered Vanguard-class submarine HMS Vigilant, passing their rigorous final exams with flying colours, and will now embark on careers in the Submarine Service.

Lt Stiles, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, said: ‘I wanted to be able to say that I had made the most of every opportunity that I had been given in the Navy.

‘It’s very intense and very challenging but that’s what makes it so rewarding. At the end of it, when you get your Dolphins and are accepted into the submarine community, it’s great.’

Describing the reception from the 165 male members of the 168-member crew, the 29-year-old, who has been in the Navy for four years, said: ‘As long as you can do your job and you’re good at what you do, I don’t think they cared whether you were male or female.’

HMS Vigilant’s (pictured) commanding officer Commander Matt Dennis, who oversaw the training, said: ‘I was impressed with how seamlessly the three women integrated on board’

A life under the ocean wave: Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alexandra Olsson and Penny Thackray (left-right) have completed months of specialised training to earn their ‘Dolphins’ – the clasp worn by qualified submariners

Ever vigilant: Lt Penny Thackray, 39, from Hightown in West Yorkshire, will become an education oficer

Lt Olsson, 26, from Tranmere, the Wirral, was inspired to volunteer to serve on submarines after childhood visits to see HMS Onyx at the Maritime Museum in Birkenhead.

She said: ‘I kept volunteering and volunteering until it came in.’

She admitted that the three women might have ‘stuck out’ on board, but said: ‘They were really receptive. Having a slower process of introducing a few females first in the officer cadre and then ratings has helped. We haven’t just knocked on the door of a submarine and said ‘Can we come to sea please?’

‘I felt like a little sister to 165 brothers. You live as a very strange family. Once we got qualified they were glad for us the same way they had been glad for hundreds of submariners before.

‘At the end of the day manpower is a big thing for the Navy – as long as you can do the job, it doesn’t matter.’

Maxine Stiles will serve aboard HMS Vigilant as a logistics officer

She added: ‘We did a long patrol, we’ve come across most things people want to know about, like how you live and how the guys get on with you.

‘I know there’s people who are interested but they haven’t been able to make an informed decision.

‘Of course it’s been challenging, but women are absolutely capable of doing this job. I think that change can always be a bit of a shock, but I look forward to seeing more and more women getting on board.’

Describing the living conditions on board, she said: ‘It’s slightly more cramped that you would be used to.

Actually you bring your perspective in so you don’t see the lack of space anymore – you see the space that’s there.

‘It’s a bit of an odd place to live – everything smells the same, it all has this diesel oily smell which you have to get used to. But it’s not a horrible place to live.

Always a rover: Lt Olsson, 26, from Tranmere, the Wirral, was inspired to volunteer to serve on submarines after childhood visits to see HMS Onyx at the Maritime Museum in Birkenhead

‘I managed to have a shower every day, we had laundry facilities. There was gym equipment. And food becomes a massive part of your day, it’s a routine you get into.’

Lt Thackray, 39, from Hightown in West Yorkshire, said: ‘You limit your horizons. I found I just forgot about the existence of some things – someone asked me if I missed bananas. I hadn’t even noticed until they mentioned it. I just forgot the outside world, you get a whole new world.’

After their training, Lt Stiles will continue her logistics officer post on board; Lt Olsson is undertaking deputy weapons engineering officer training; and Lt Thackray will become an education officer.

HMS Vigilant’s commanding officer Commander Matt Dennis, who oversaw their training, said: ‘I was impressed with how seamlessly the three women integrated on board.

‘They qualified without any difficulty and two of them even completed additional training whilst at sea.

‘As I would expect, they were accepted as integral members of the ship’s company by the rest of the crew and have really paved the way for women on submarines to be business as usual from now on.’

Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral David Steel said: ‘Women have been serving in ships at sea with the Royal Navy for more than 20 years and integrating them into the Submarine Service completes their inclusion into all seagoing branches.

‘This is a proud day for the Royal Navy but equally a major personal achievement for these three officers, as it is for all those qualifying.’

Source – Daily Mail.

HMS Onyx – Bid to make former Navy submarine Clyde exhibit

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SHIPPING enthusiasts have launched an ambitious scheme to buy a former Royal Navy submarine and berth her on the Clyde as an exhibit.

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They are seeking to buy HMS Onyx, the last Oberon-class sub, and bring her back to Greenock, where the undersea craft was assembled.

But since 2006 the sub has been languishing at Buccleuch Dock in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, after being part of a plan to build a Submarine Heritage Centre which never materialised.

Eleven Oberon-class submarines were built at Scott’s Drydock in Greenock, six for Royal Australian Navy, three for Royal Navy and two which were purchased by Chile.

The group members, which include former submariners, have been to inspect HMS Onyx and say she is in good enough condition to be put on display. A feasibility study is currently under way to establish if the plan could go ahead, while a number of local businessmen are backing the scheme.

HMS Onyx saw action during the Falkland Islands conflict and helped smuggle members of the Special Boat Service into the warzone.

The group’s spokesman, Bill Mutter, said: “Greenock has a proud heritage of shipbuilding but at the moment all it has to show for it is the (Paddle Steamer) ‘Comet’ and it is positioned in Port Glasgow.

“Onyx is display ready, as for many years she was located in Liverpool and it was only due to harbour regeneration around 2007 that the then museum had to be broken up.

“We narrowly missed out on acquiring her then, and she went to a Barrow business man, supposedly as a gift to the people of Barrow, but when his planning application for a hotel he proposed building was refused he promptly sold Onyx to a scrap dealer with whom she presently languishes.”

He added he felt the old Scott’s Dry Dock would be the ideal location for Onyx as it was in this dock that the Oberons built by Scott’s were fitted out. He said the dock itself is also historic.

Source – Herald Scotland

UK Diesel Boat Reunion -Plymouth (August)

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Gentlemen

The next Diesel Boat Reunion will be held at the normal venue on the normal date as per usual. Basically, at the Oakvilla Social Club, Weston Mill ( PL2 2EL ) which is behind Camel Head Fire Station on Saturday 2nd August starting at about 1200 ish.

Anyone requiring the buffet, it will be, as usual £5.00 to be with me by the 28th of July at the very latest please. If you could send a cheque for the £5.00 to Mr MW PITKEATHLY, The Courageous Exhibit Office, N193, HM Naval Base, Devonport Dockyard, PLYMOUTH,PL2 2BG. Unfortunately, this will be non refundable. Some of you have gone really modern and no longer have a cheque book, this is now not a problem, so if you could email me first, I will give you the bank details.

Can you please get the word around to the very few that are not on email and maybe interested in coming along to the DBR please.

At the last reunion in 2013, I asked for a volunteer to take over in case I ended up having a stroke/heart attack/dead etc. I am very pleased that Pat Langdon(Fireman Pat) from Exeter has taken up the mantle. We have set up a joint bank account with the Natwest that we can both access, which we feel is ideal and he has access to the dieselboatreunion@hotmail.co.uk email account should I be indisposed or even dead.

Just prior to the last reunion I asked for ex pusser S/M items, so that it could be utilised on HMS Courageous. I would like to thank Pincher Martin for a green sleeping bag and Rodney Hodge for a Pusser’s case full of old kit and bits, much appreciated from both of you thanks.

A message from Ken Woods. If you are in Plymouth for a long weekend, the Plymouth Hoe Club, 1 Osbourne Place, Lockyer Street tel no: 01752 311512 welcomes all submariners. If you are staying locally for the weekend it’s a popular watering hole for shipmates and a place to meet up before the big day!

I trust that you are all well and look forward to seeing you at the 2014 DBR

Kind regards

Pat Langdon and Pitt.k (former naval person)

Nuclear submarine to get new core after test reactor problem

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HMS Vanguard makes up part of the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system

Low levels of radioactivity have been discovered in the cooling waters of a nuclear submarine test reactor at Dounreay, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said.

Mr Hammond told MPs that no leak had occurred and said there were no safety implications for staff working on the site, or risks to the environment.

But, as a result, HMS Vanguard is to be refuelled with a new nuclear core at a cost of £120m.

The problem was discovered in 2012.

Labour criticised the government for not announcing the information earlier, calling it a matter of “national importance”.

‘Below scale’

Although the news is only being made public now, the Ministry of Defence says the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the defence nuclear inspectorate were kept informed.

Mr Hammond said the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment ran at higher levels of intensity than those on Britain’s fleet of nuclear submarines and was designed to pre-empt any similar problems with the reactors on board those vessels.

The defence secretary said: “These low levels of radioactivity are a normal product of a nuclear reaction that takes place within the fuel but they would not normally enter the cooling water.

“This water is contained within the sealed reactor circuit and I can reassure the House there has been no detectable radiation leak from that sealed circuit.

“Indeed, against the International Atomic Energy Agency’s measurement scale for nuclear-related events this issue is classed Level 0, described as ‘below scale – no safety significance’.”

The refuelling of HMS Vanguard – the UK’s oldest nuclear submarine – will take place during its next scheduled “deep maintenance period”, due to last three and a half years from 2015.

‘National security’

Mr Hammond said: “This is the responsible option: replacing the core on a precautionary basis at the next opportunity, rather than waiting to see if the core needs to be replaced at a later date which would mean returning Vanguard for a period of unscheduled deep maintenance, potentially putting at risk the resilience of our ballistic missile submarine operations.”

Mr Hammond said a decision on refuelling the next-oldest submarine, HMS Victorious, would not need to be taken until 2018.

New submarines for the Trident replacement programme, known as the Successor submarines, will not be affected by the problem, he added.

For Labour, shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker said the government should have told the Commons earlier about the fault.

He added: “There must be public confidence in the government to be open and transparent on these matters.

“A fault, however small, that develops in a nuclear reactor is something that the British people and this House should have been told about. This is an issue of national security and national importance.”

Source – BBC News

At sea with Britain’s first woman sub hunter: Warship commander

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‘We all make sacrifices’: Britain’s first woman sub hunter says her years at sea ‘probably explains why I’m still single’

Britain’s first female warship commander is preparing to lead the HMS Portland on a six-month patrol in the Atlantic on the hunt for enemy submarines.

In 2012, Sarah West became the first woman to be put in charge of a British warship in the navy’s 500 year history, and says she is proud to be at the front of defending our waters from the threat of submarines.

However, the 41-year-old says that the high-octane job comes at a personal cost, revealing that the years spent away at sea mean she is still single.

Sarah West stands proudly on HMS Portland as the Royal Navy’s first female commander of a warship.

She joined the navy after getting bored with her nine to five job as a trainee manager.

The ban on women working on submarines was only lifted in 2011 and Cdr West described her appointment to take command of HMS Portland as the highlight of her 16 years in the navy.

However, she plays down her role in being on the frontline of helping to maintain a ring of steel around the British coastline.

‘I’m not reinventing the wheel,’ she told the Mirror. ‘Lots of women in the services have challenging roles. It’s just that I happen to be newsworthy at the moment.’

As much as she enjoys the thrilling nature of her job, she admits that it has not made it easy to meet a partner.

‘There are drawbacks. Years at sea probably explains why I’m single. But every person in the military makes sacrifices.’

She says plenty of men and women on board are missing seeing their children grow up, which makes it crucial to keep morale high.

Cdr Sarah West looks through binoculars as the HMS Portland hunts a submarine in the Cumbrae Gap, Scotland.

Now she is in charge of an 185-strong crew whom she leads in trying to out outmaneouvre their underwater enemies.

‘Anti-submarine warfare is the military version of chess. You must work out what the enemy is going to do before they even think of it,’ says Cdr West who is captain of HMS Portland, a Type 23 frigate with submarine-hunting kit, Sea Wolf and Harpoon missiles, Stingray torpedoes and a Lynx attack helicopter.

They have recently been running a training exercise to catch the submarine HMS Triumph, which bombed Libya in 2011 and now trains future Royal Navy captain.’

There is no sign of the submarine despite sending a helicopter to dip a sonar wire into the sea where it is suspected to be.

But suddenly a periscope is spotted several miles away, sparking Cdr West into action, who shouts orders for HMS Portland to move in on the sub and prepares for the similated launch of three Stingray torpedoes.

‘Today has been a good day for submarine hunting,’ says Cdr West.

‘Many more countries have submarines now so there’s always a threat out there. What we’re doing is really important.’

Commander West oversees the hunt for the submarine in the ship’s operations room.

‘You can have state-of-the-art kit but, without well-trained people wanting to use it, you’re useless.’

The ship is set to leave HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth for six months on patrol in the Atlantic.

The crew will face threats from storms, with gale-force winds whipping up waves as high as 40ft. Warships sit high in the water for speed and cannot turn away from a storm for comfort when they have to sail somewhere urgently. Many of those suffering from seasickness will be forced to vomit into buckets while on watch.

They are facing testing times as Russia is understood to be on the verge of completing a £1.25 billion K-329 Severodvinsk nuclear-powered submarine which could give it a crucial underwater advantage.

Source – Daily Mail

UK – First glimpse of new nuclear subs

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Defence bosses have revealed the first glimpse at the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent today, publishing the first artist’s impression of the submarines due to replace the Vanguard-class boats which carry Trident missiles.

The image was included on the cover of the second annual report to MPs about developments in the Successor Submarine programme.

The boats are designed to be amongst the stealthiest in the world and the image, created by the design team working on the new vessels, shows a submarine built with sweeping curves.

In the report to MPs, the Ministry of Defence announced it had agreed two contracts worth a total of £79 million to BAE Systems Maritime-Submarines for initial work on the new vessels, which are due to be in service by 2028.

The items include structural fittings, electrical equipment, castings and forgings which must be ordered now, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said.

Mr Hammond said: “The Successor programme is supporting around 2,000 jobs and up to 850 British businesses could benefit from the supply chain as we exploit the most modern technologies, and employ a significant portion of the UK’s engineers, project managers and technicians over the coming years.”

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord, said: “The Royal Navy has been operating continuous at-sea deterrent patrols for more than 40 years and the Successor submarines will allow us to do so with cutting-edge equipment well into the future.”

Both contracts, one of £47 million and another of £32 million, will be filled by workers in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

The Ministry of Defence said the total number of MoD and industrial staff currently working on the Successor programme is around 2,000, with more than half working as engineers and designers.

More than 850 potential UK suppliers have so far been identified as benefiting from investment in the programme and as many as 6,000 people will be involved by the time that the construction reaches a peak.

Source – Western Morning News

Inside HMS Ocelot – Google Maps

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Google street view has now gone inside Ocelot at Chatham and there are some great pictures there. You can walk through the boat and look round it.
HMS Ocelot

UK – Worker dies in Plymouth Dockyard accident

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The civilian worker died following an accident at Devonport Dockyard this afternoon

HEALTH and safety inspectors and police are continuing the investigate the death of a dockyard worker at Devonport yesterday.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall police are leading the enquiry into the death of the 57-year-old civilian.

The man, who was from the Newton Abbot area, was killed when he was operating a cherry picker on a laid up submarine.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police said: “Just before 1pm on Monday, October 21 officers were called to Devonport Dockyard following the report of an industrial accident.

“As a result of the incident, a 57-year old male sadly died at the scene. His next of kin has been informed.

“A joint investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police, the Health and Safety Executive and MOD has commenced, and HM Coroner has been informed.”

It’s understood that the police will lead the investigation before fully handing the case over to the HSE if they do not establish any grounds for prosecution.

The HSE will then wait for the inquest to conclude before continuing an independent investigation to establish if any health and safety laws have been breached.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “We are looking into the latest incident.

“Devon and Cornwall police are leading the investigation.

“We have had inspectors on the site but it’s very early days.”

The man, who has not been named, was a civian who worked for Babcock Marine.

The dockyard operator released a statment shortly after news of the incident broke.

It said: “Everyone at Babcock is saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts are very much with the family of the person who has lost his life.”

Source – This is Plymouth

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Category Archives: UK Submarines

HMS Thetis submarine tragedy: Memorials mark 75 years

Ships join the rescue operation in 1939

“Start Quote

UK – Look inside a nuclear submarine during dockyard open days

Sailing into the history books: the Navy’s first women submariners: Trio complete months of training to earn their ‘Dolphins’

HMS Onyx – Bid to make former Navy submarine Clyde exhibit

UK Diesel Boat Reunion -Plymouth (August)

Nuclear submarine to get new core after test reactor problem

HMS Vanguard makes up part of the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system

At sea with Britain’s first woman sub hunter: Warship commander

‘We all make sacrifices’: Britain’s first woman sub hunter says her years at sea ‘probably explains why I’m still single’

UK – First glimpse of new nuclear subs

Defence bosses have revealed the first glimpse at the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent today, publishing the first artist’s impression of the submarines due to replace the Vanguard-class boats which carry Trident missiles.

Inside HMS Ocelot – Google Maps

UK – Worker dies in Plymouth Dockyard accident

Ships join the rescue operation in 1939

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HMS Vanguard makes up part of the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system

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‘We all make sacrifices’: Britain’s first woman sub hunter says her years at sea ‘probably explains why I’m still single’

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Defence bosses have revealed the first glimpse at the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent today, publishing the first artist’s impression of the submarines due to replace the Vanguard-class boats which carry Trident missiles.

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