HMS Utmost was one of the Royal Navy's most successful U-class submarines of the Second World War, serving primarily with the 10th Submarine Flotilla based at Malta. She was built by Vickers-Armstrongs at Barrow-in-Furness, launched on 20 April 1940, commissioned on 17 August 1940, and lost in November 1942.
- P41 was HMS Utmost's original pennant number when she entered service in 1940.
- Later, the Admiralty adopted a revised submarine pennant system and Utmost was reassigned N19. Both designations refer to exactly the same submarine.
Key Facts
- Class: U-class submarine (Second Group)
- Builder: Vickers-Armstrongs, Barrow-in-Furness
- Commissioned: 17 August 1940
- Operational Area: Mediterranean Sea, particularly Axis supply routes to North Africa.
Operational Record
Utmost developed a notable reputation for aggressive and successful attacks on Axis shipping. She:
- Sank the Italian merchant ships Capo Vita, Enrico Costa, and Federico C.
- Sank the German tanker Languste.
- Torpedoed and sank the German merchant ship Heraklea and damaged the German merchant Ruhr.
- Helped sink the Italian merchant Balilla alongside the Polish submarine ORP Sokół.
- Damaged the Italian heavy cruiser Trieste in November 1941, one of her most celebrated successes. [
In addition to attacking shipping, she undertook clandestine operations, including the landing of agents behind enemy lines. One such mission earned her commanding officer a Distinguished Service Order.
Commanding Officers
Notable wartime commanders included:
- Lt. J. H. Eaden (1940-41)
- Lt. Cdr. Richard D. Cayley, DSO
- Lt. Anthony W. Langridge
- Lt. John W. D. Coombe (final commanding officer)
Final Patrol and Loss
Utmost sailed from Malta on 17 November 1942 for a patrol off the Tunisian coast near Bizerta. On 23 November she reported attacking the Italian auxiliary cruiser Barletta. She then began her return voyage to Malta.
She never arrived.
The exact cause of her loss remains uncertain. Contemporary Royal Navy assessments suggest she may have struck a mine south of Sicily, while Italian records indicate that the torpedo boat Groppo attacked and possibly destroyed a submarine contact on 25 November 1942. All hands were lost.
Achievement Summary
- Approximately 25 war patrols completed.
- One of Malta's most successful submarines.
- Credited with sinking numerous Axis merchant ships and damaging major warships, including the cruiser Trieste.
- Lost with her crew during her final patrol in November 1942.
