Intro
Discover the legendary HMS Seahawk, a British warship that played a pivotal role in World War II. Learn about its construction, combat history, and notable battles, including the Battle of Britain and D-Day landings. Explore the ships specs, crew, and significance in naval warfare, and understand its impact on the Allied victory.
The HMS Seahorse was a British S-class submarine that played a significant role in World War II. As one of the most decorated submarines of the war, the Seahorse conducted numerous patrols in the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic, sinking several enemy ships and earning a reputation as a formidable opponent.
The Seahorse was built at the Chatham Dockyard and launched on January 25, 1940. It was commissioned on June 19, 1940, and began its operational career with the 3rd Submarine Flotilla, based in Holy Loch, Scotland. The submarine's first commanding officer was Lieutenant-Commander E. Fraser, who would go on to earn the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the war.
Early War Patrols
The Seahorse's early war patrols were focused on the North Sea, where it conducted reconnaissance and attack missions against German shipping. On September 13, 1940, the submarine sank its first enemy ship, the German merchant vessel Afrika, off the coast of Norway. Over the next few months, the Seahorse continued to patrol the North Sea, sinking several more ships and earning a reputation as a formidable opponent.
Medterranean Operations
In 1941, the Seahorse was transferred to the Mediterranean, where it joined the 10th Submarine Flotilla, based in Malta. The submarine conducted several patrols in the Mediterranean, targeting Axis shipping and naval vessels. On July 19, 1941, the Seahorse sank the Italian submarine Gondar, which was its first enemy submarine kill.
Battle of the Atlantic
In 1942, the Seahorse was transferred to the Atlantic, where it joined the battle against German U-boats. The submarine conducted several patrols in the Atlantic, targeting enemy convoys and naval vessels. On March 14, 1942, the Seahorse sank the German U-boat U-587, which was its first enemy U-boat kill.
Lieutenant-Commander E. Fraser's Victoria Cross
On December 31, 1941, Lieutenant-Commander E. Fraser was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during a patrol in the Mediterranean. On that day, the Seahorse had attacked and sunk an enemy convoy, but was itself attacked by a group of enemy destroyers. Despite being heavily outgunned, Fraser managed to evade the destroyers and lead the Seahorse to safety, earning the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
Later War Patrols
The Seahorse continued to conduct patrols throughout the war, targeting enemy shipping and naval vessels in the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic. On September 21, 1944, the submarine sank its final enemy ship, the German merchant vessel Karl Meyer, off the coast of Norway.
Post-War Career
After the war, the Seahorse was decommissioned and scrapped in 1947. The submarine's wartime career was marked by numerous patrols and the sinking of several enemy ships, earning it a reputation as one of the most decorated submarines of the war.
Legacy
The HMS Seahorse's legacy as a British warship of World War II fame is undeniable. The submarine's bravery and skill in the face of enemy opposition earned it a reputation as a formidable opponent, and its sinking of several enemy ships and U-boats contributed significantly to the Allied war effort.
HMS Seahorse Image Gallery
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