A SHORT HISTORY OF H.M.S/M "USK"

Launched on the 7th June 1940, H.M.S/M "USK" had a tragically brief life span. Lt Cdr. P.R.Ward was appointed her first Captain, but it was while she was under the command of Lt. G.P.Darling that she failed to return from patrol off Tunisia.

"USK" was ordered to the Mediterranean, as soon as she finished her work up off the West coast of Scotland. The new Submarine set sail to Malta, with her Ship's Company keen to sample the sunshine of the Mediterranean. The 2,55 mile trip entailed filling the reserve lubricating oil tank. Until this point "Usk's" journey had proved uneventful. However, after changing over to the reserve lubricating oil tank, things started to go badly wrong. Engine trouble developed to such an extent, that when she eventually arrived in Malta on 17th January 1941, it was on 5 cylinders of one engine. Subsequent investigations revealed that a considerable amount of carborundum dust, had been put into the reserve oil tank. "USK" had certainly been sabotaged!

On 19th April 1941 "USK" sailed from Malta, for patrol off the N.W. coast of Sicily. Under the command of Lt. Darling, "USK" had been allocated a billet 38 deg. 00 mins. N 12 deg. 00 mins. E. At 2325 on the 25th, the following message was received . Immediate, Cdr.S10 from "USK". Intense A/S activity in area. Withdrawing "Cape Bon" Sunday morning (27th April). MS message 752 not received T.O.O 2100 25th April 1941.

Owing to an operation (Salient) that was in progress, Lt Darling was ordered on 26th to remain North of 38 degrees until after 0001 27th April, by which time, the ships of salient, would have passed through the Sicilian channel, and then move to 37 degrees N 11 mins. E. Darling had been informed that a Destroyer had been observed at a large patch of oilat 1130 on 24th April, and that two explosions had been observed in the vicinity 12 miles off the  Cape Bon light. What happened to "USK" after her move from the Marettimo area to Cape Bon, eighty miles South , will probably never be known, but it is thought that "Usk" was mined in the vicinity of Cape Bon some time after 25th April. Darling had spent considerable time studying the available information of the area, to which he had been ordered, and there can be no doubt that he was thoroughly conversant with all the known information.

"USK" was recalled off patrol, to arrive off Malta at 0600 3rd May, being routed down the known channel from Cape Bon to Keliba. When "USK" failed to arrive at Malta, she was ordered at 1840 3rd May, to report her position. No reply to this signal was received, nor to her later signal. Adding to the supposition that "USK" had been mined, was the discovery, two weeks later. During operation "Tiger", H.M.S Gloucester cut a mine as she steamed West. Several more mines were cut by a force steaming East on the night 8/9th May. It appears that a new minefield was laid subsequent to "USK" passing West on patrol, and before her movement South on 27th April. This minefield covered a previously known enemy convoy route between Cape Bon and Naples , running North West of Marettimo, and it is possible that "USK" in order to miss no opportunity to attack the enemy, retired Southwards down this route, and was lost in the new minefield.

Lt Darling, was 1st Lt of the Rover for two years, that is until June 1940. He then took his COCQ (perisher). After a brief spell captaining training Submarines H44 and H33, he took passage to Malta, where on February 2nd 1941, he relieved Lt Cdr Ward as Captain of "USK" . Godfrey Darling was described as an outstanding officer by Capt. S/M 10.

When the "USK" arrived in Malta, after being sabotaged, unfortunately, the commanding officer's nerve had gone, and he was sent to Alexandria, and Darling, as spare crew CO was given command.

H.M.S/M USK

Built by Vicars Armstrong at Barrow in Furness. Launched 7th June 1940 as N65.

Displacement (Tons) 540 surfaced; 730 submerged. Length 191ft; Beam 16ft; Draught 12ft 9ins.

Speed (Knots) 11 3/4 surfaced; 8 submerged.

Armaments; one 12pdr. AA or 3 inch AA. Six torpedoe tubes, all forward; 10 torpedoes

Ships Compliment; 33

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