HMS Tarpon was a Royal Navy T-class submarine, built by Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. at Greenock, Scotland. She was laid down on 5 October 1937, launched on 17 October 1939, and commissioned on 8 March 1940. As one of the first T-class submarines, she represented a new generation of larger, ocean-going British submarines.
Brief Service Career
HMS Tarpon had one of the shortest operational careers of any Royal Navy submarine in the Second World War. After commissioning, she underwent work-up and training before being assigned to operations in the North Sea during the early stages of the German invasion of Norway in April 1940.
On 5 April 1940, Tarpon left Portsmouth for Rosyth in company with HMS Severn. The following day both submarines were diverted to patrol waters around Norway and the Skagerrak, where German naval activity was increasing rapidly.
Final Patrol and Loss
On or about 10 April 1940, west of Jutland, Denmark, HMS Tarpon encountered the German armed merchant vessel and Q-ship Schiff 40 (Schürbek). Tarpon attacked with torpedoes, but the torpedoes missed their target.
The German vessel detected the submarine's presence, reportedly sighting her periscope and obtaining sonar contact. Schiff 40 then carried out a prolonged and intensive depth-charge attack. German records state that debris, oil, and other evidence of destruction appeared on the surface after the attack, leading them to conclude that the submarine had been sunk.
When Tarpon failed to return, she was officially reported overdue on 22 April 1940 and subsequently declared lost with all hands. Her commanding officer was Lieutenant Commander Herbert James Caldwell.
Discovery of the Wreck
For more than 75 years, the location of HMS Tarpon remained unknown. In March 2016, the wreck was discovered in the Danish sector of the North Sea near Thyborøn by Danish diver Gert Normann Andersen and marine archaeologist Dr Innes McCartney.
Examination of the wreck strongly supported the German account of the battle. The submarine was found heavily damaged, with evidence consistent with a severe depth-charge attack.
Significance
HMS Tarpon is remembered because:
- She was one of the earliest wartime losses of the Royal Navy's T-class submarines.
- Her loss occurred during the critical opening phase of the Norwegian Campaign.
- The discovery of her wreck in 2016 helped confirm the circumstances of her sinking after decades of uncertainty.
- She lies as a protected war grave for her crew.
Key Facts
- Class: T-class submarine
- Builder: Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Greenock
- Commissioned: 8 March 1940
- Commanding Officer: Lt Cdr Herbert James Caldwell
- Lost: 10 April 1940 during action with Schiff 40 (Schürbek) west of Denmark
- Wreck Found: March 2016 near Thyborøn, Denmark
