HMS Artemis (P449) was an Amphion-class submarine of the Royal Navy, built by Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. at Greenock, Scotland. She was laid down on 28 February 1944, launched in August 1946, and commissioned on 15 August 1947.
Key Facts
- Class: Amphion-class submarine
- Pennant Number: P449
- Builder: Scotts of Greenock
- Commissioned: 15 August 1947
- Crew: Approximately 60 personnel
- Length: 293 ft 6 in (89.46 m)
- Fate: Sank during refuelling in 1971, later raised and scrapped in 1972.
HMS Artemis in Service
Following the Second World War, HMS Artemis entered service as part of Britain's post-war submarine force. The Amphion class was designed for operations in the Pacific and represented some of the Royal Navy's most advanced conventional submarines of the period.
In 1953, Artemis took part in the Coronation Fleet Review at Spithead, celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This was one of the most prestigious naval events of the era.
The submarine also undertook training and operational duties throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Records show that in 1963, while on loan to Canada for exercises, concern arose when the submarine failed to surface on schedule during manoeuvres off New York, prompting a search before she surfaced safely.
The 1971 Sinking
The most dramatic event in Artemis's career occurred on 1 July 1971 at the Royal Navy submarine base HMS Dolphin in Gosport.
While being prepared for refuelling, the submarine unexpectedly settled by the stern and sank alongside the quay in approximately 9 metres of water. Three crew members were trapped inside for about 10 hours before rescue efforts succeeded.
The submarine was successfully raised on 6 July 1971, but the damage and cost of repair led to her being withdrawn from service. She was sold for scrap shortly afterward and broken up in 1972.
Legacy
Although HMS Artemis never saw combat, she had a long and eventful Cold War career. She is best remembered today for the dramatic sinking and salvage at HMS Dolphin in 1971, an incident that demonstrated both the dangers of submarine operations and the effectiveness of Royal Navy rescue and recovery efforts
