HMS Grampus (N56)

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HMS Grampus (N56) was a submarine of the Royal Navy, the lead ship of her class. She was built at Chatham Dockyard and launched February 25, 1936. She served off China before moving to the Mediterranean Sea.

On June 16, 1940, under the command of Lieutenant-Commander C. A. Rowe, Grampus was laying mines in the Syracuse and Augusta, Sicily area. She was seen by the Italian Spica class torpedo boat Circe, which was on anti-submarine patrol with Clio, Calliope, and Polluce. Within a very short time Grampus was destroyed. Wreckage came to the surface along with air bubbles and oil. Polluce was credited with the kill. There were no survivors. Some sources give the date of this action as June 24, 1940.

See HMS Grampus for other ships of this name.

[edit] General characteristics

  • Displacement: 1520 tons
  • Compliment: 59
  • Speed: 15.75 knots (29 km/h) surfaced, 8.75 knots (16 km/h) submerged
  • Armament: 6 x 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes, 12 torpedoes, 1 x 4 in (102 mm) quick-firing MkXII gun
  • 50 mines