HMS P514 was an ex-US Navy R-class submarine originally commissioned as USS R-19 (SS-96) during the First World War. In 1942 she was transferred to the Royal Navy as part of the Allied effort to provide additional submarines for training and patrol duties.
Key Facts
- Original name: USS R-19 (SS-96)
- Royal Navy designation: HMS P514
- Class: R-class submarine (US Navy design)
- Builder: Union Iron Works, San Francisco
- Transferred to Royal Navy: 9 March 1942 at New London, Connecticut
Service with the Royal Navy
After transfer, P514 was used in Canadian and North Atlantic waters, conducting anti-submarine training exercises and local patrol duties from New London and Halifax.
Her commanding officers included:
- Lt. Walter Augustus Phillimore
- Lt. John Chaloner Ogle, DSC
- Lt. James Willmot Samuel Culham
Loss by Friendly Fire
HMS P514 is remembered primarily because of the tragic circumstances of her loss.
On 20 June 1942, P514 sailed from Argentia, Newfoundland, bound for St John's. During the early hours of 21 June 1942, the Canadian minesweeper HMCS Georgian was waiting to escort a convoy.
At about 0300, Georgian sighted a dark vessel crossing her bow. The Canadian ship had not been informed that a friendly submarine was operating in the area and assumed the contact was an enemy U-boat. According to the subsequent inquiry, Georgian challenged the submarine but received no reply.
Believing the vessel hostile, HMCS Georgian rammed the submarine amidships, sinking her in position 46°33'N, 53°39'W.
A rescue operation was immediately launched, but no survivors were found. A Board of Inquiry later concluded that Georgian's commanding officer had acted correctly based on the information available to him at the time.
Casualties
- All 42 officers and men aboard were lost.
