HMS Thrasher (N37)

HMS "Thrasher" (N37) was a T-class submarine of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by Cammell Laird & Co Limited, Birkenhead, launched in November 1940, and had an active career in the Mediterranean and Pacific Far East.

Mediterranean

"Thrasher" began her service by heavily damaging the French fishing vessel "Virgo Fidelis" in the Bay of Biscay, while in transit to the Mediterranean. The "Virgo Fidelis" was beached, but declared a total loss. Also in the Mediterranean she sank a number of ships, including three Greek sailing vessels, including the "San Stefano"; the Italian sailing vessel "Esperia"; the Italian merchants "Attilio Deffenu", "Fedora", "Gala", "Penelope", "Lero", "Sant Antonio" and "Padenna"; the German army cargo ship "Atlas"; the Italian tugs "Pilo" and "Roma"; and the Italian sloop "Diana". She also unsuccessfully attacked the German transport "Ankara" and the German merchant "Arkadia". She also attacked the German barge "F 184", but was forced to withdraw due to return fire.

On 16 February 1942 north of Crete, "Thrasher", was attacked after sinking a supply ship. After surfacing later, two unexploded bombs were discovered in the gun-casing. Lieutenant Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts and Petty Officer Thomas William Gould removed the first one without too much difficulty, but the second was lying in a very confined space and they had to approach it lying full length. Gould lay on his back with the bomb in his arms while Roberts dragged him along by the shoulders. It was 40 minutes before they got the bomb clear and dropped it over the side. As a result of their heroic actions which likely saved "Thrasher", both men were awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation read

"The King has been Graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross for great valour while serving in HM Submarine "Thrasher" to Lieutenant Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts, RN and Petty Officer Thomas William Gould."On February 16th, in daylight, HM Submarine "Thrasher" attacked and sank a heavily escorted supply ship. She was at once attacked by depth-charges and was bombed by aircraft. The presence of two unexploded bombs in the gun-casing was discovered when after dark the submarine surfaced and began to roll. Lieutenant Roberts and Petty Officer Gould volunteered to remove the bombs, which were of a type unknown to them. The danger in dealing with the second bomb was very great. To reach it they had to go through the casing, which was so low that they had to lie at full length to move in it. Through this narrow space, in complete darkness, they pushed and dragged the bomb for a distance of some 20 feet until it could be lowered over the side. Every time the bomb was moved there was a loud twanging noise as of a broken spring which added nothing to their peace of mind. This deed was more gallant as HM Submarine "Thrasher's" presence was known to the enemy; she was close to the enemy coast and in waters where his patrols were known to be active day and night. There was a very great chance, and they knew it, that the submarine might have to crash-dive while they were under the casing. Had this happened they must have been drowned." [http://www.submariners.co.uk/VC_Winners/roberts_gould.htm]

In July 1942, "Thrasher" was bombed in error by a British Swordfish aircraft off Port Said, Egypt. She was under repair for a month due to the damage sustained.

Far East

"Thrasher" was assigned to the Far East in the early part of 1945. She sank 20 sailing vessels and four coasters before the end of the war. [ [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3501.html HMS Thrasher] , Uboot.net]

She survived the war and was broken up for scrap at Briton Ferry, Wales on 9 March 1947.

References

*"Submarines, War Beneath The Waves, From 1776 To The Present Day", by Robert Hutchinson
*Colledge