HMS Thorn (N11)

HMS "Thorn" (N11) was a T-class submarine of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by Cammell Laird & Co Limited, Birkenhead and launched in March 1941.

Career

"Thorn" had a shortlived career, serving in the Mediterranean.

Commencing operations in late 1941, "Thorn" sank the German tanker "Campina", the Italian tanker "Ninuccia", the Italian submarine "Medusa", the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel AS 91 / "Ottavia" and the Italian transport ship "Monviso". She also attacked an Italian convoy in the central Mediterranean, but failed to hit any ships. [ [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3500.html HMS Thorn] , Uboot.net]

On 7 August 1942 "Thorn" encountered the Italian torpedo boat "Pegaso", escorting the steamer "Istria" from Benghazi, off southern Crete. "Pegaso" spotted an escorting aircraft machine-gunning the sea’s surface and moved in to investigate. Just four minutes after the aircraft’s attack the "Pegaso" picked up a contact and carried out seven attacks after which contact was lost. "Thorn" failed to return from the patrol and is believed to have been lost in this attack. She was declared overdue on 11 August 1942. [ [http://www.rnsubmus.co.uk/general/losses.htm Submarine losses 1904 to present day] , RN Submarine Museum, Gosport]

References

*"Submarines, War Beneath The Waves, From 1776 To The Present Day", by Robert Hutchinson
*Colledge