Edward Christian Frederic Nicolay DSO, RN

Born  15 Feb 1907
Died  6 Dec 1941(34)HMS Perseus (i) (N 36)


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Ranks

1 May 1927 A/S.Lt.
1 Jan 1928 S.Lt.
1 Mar 1930 Lt.
1 Mar 1938 Lt.Cdr.

Decorations

28 Nov 1941 DSO

Warship Commands listed for Edward Christian Frederic Nicolay, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Otus (N 92)Lt.Cdr.Submarine14 Jun 193921 Apr 1941
HMS Taku (N 38)Lt.Cdr.Submarine22 Apr 19415 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (i) (N 36)Lt.Cdr.Submarine5 Aug 19416 Dec 1941 (+)

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Submarine HMS Otus (N 92)


2 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (1)

3 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Penang. (1)

7 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Penang. (1)

9 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Penang for Singapore. (1)

10 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Singapore. (1)

12 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked at Singapore. (1)

13 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was undocked. (1)

14 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN). (1)

19 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Leith (Cdr. G.R. Waymouth, RN). (1)

20 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Leith (Cdr. G.R. Waymouth, RN). (1)

28 Sep 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Singapore for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Sabang, Netherlands East Indies.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

20 Oct 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Singapore. (2)

24 Oct 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Singapore for Colombo.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this passage see the map below.

(2)

30 Oct 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Colombo. (2)

1 Nov 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Colombo for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Cochin, India.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

5 Nov 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Colombo. (3)

7 Nov 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Colombo for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Chagos Archipaligo and the Maldives.

Shortly after sailing she returned with a major engine defect which was however quickly repaired.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

8 Nov 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Colombo to resume her 3rd war patrol. (3)

5 Dec 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Colombo. (4)

9 Dec 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked at Colombo. (4)

21 Dec 1939
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was undocked. (4)

1 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Colombo for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Indian Ocean.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

7 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Mahé, Seychelles. (5)

8 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Mahé, Seychelles to resume her 4th war patrol. (5)

11 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (5)

12 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Diego Suarez to resume her 4th war patrol. (5)

13 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at the Farquhar Islands. She departed for the Agalega Islands later the same day. (5)

14 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sets course for Astove Island. (5)

16 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived off Astove Island. (5)

17 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Astove Island to resume her 4th war patrol. She was to proceed to Mombasa. (5)

19 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Mombasa ending her 4th war patrol. (5)

25 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Mombasa for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Indian Ocean.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

27 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at the Aldabra Atoll. She departed later the same day for the Glorieuses Islands. (5)

28 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at the Glorieuses Islands. She departed for Diego Suarez later the same day. (5)

29 Jan 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Diego Suarez. (5)

1 Feb 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Diego Suarez for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Indian Ocean together with the French sloop Rigault de Genouilly (Capitaine De Fregate (Cdr.) L.G.E. Frossard).

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(6)

4 Feb 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Mahé, Seychelles. (6)

7 Feb 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Mahé, Seychelles to resume her 6th war patrol still with French sloop Rigault de Genouilly (Capitaine De Fregate (Cdr.) L.G.E. Frossard) in company. (6)

12 Feb 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Port Louis, Mauritius. (6)

20 Feb 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Diego Suarez for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Indian Ocean and to end this patrol at Colombo.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(6)

1 Mar 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Colombo. (7)

28 Mar 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked at Colombo. (7)

4 Apr 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was undocked. (8)

10 Apr 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (8)

16 Apr 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. HMS Otus was to proceed to Malta to join the Mediterranean Fleet.

For the daily position of HMS Otus during the passage Colombo - Malta see the map below.

(8)

24 Apr 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Aden. (8)

26 Apr 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Aden for Port Said. (8)

1 May 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Port Said. (9)

2 May 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Port Said for Malta. (9)

7 May 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Malta. (9)

9 May 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is taken in hand for refit at Malta. (9)

20 May 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked at Malta. (9)

18 Sep 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was undocked. (10)

18 Oct 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked at Malta. She was undocked after only a few hours. (11)

28 Oct 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Malta for trials. (11)

30 Oct 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) returned to Malta. (11)

2 Nov 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked at Malta. She was undocked after only a few hours. (12)

3 Nov 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Malta for exercises. (12)

5 Nov 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) returned to Malta. (12)

10 Nov 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Malta for exercises. (12)

12 Nov 1940
At 0700 hours, HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) broke off her exercises and set off for her 8th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Cape Colonne, Italy.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(13)

19 Nov 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. (13)

22 Nov 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed her patrol area to return to Malta. (13)

25 Nov 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

29 Nov 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria.

For the daily position of HMS Otus during this passage see the map below.

(12)

5 Dec 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (14)

14 Dec 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Alexandria with HMS Peony (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) M.B. Sherwood, RN). (14)

19 Dec 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Alexandria for passage to Gibraltar where she was to join the newly established 8th Submarine Flotilla.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during the passage from Alexandria to Malta see the map below.

(14)

20 Dec 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is ordered to return to Alexandria. (14)

21 Dec 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Alexandria. She departed again for Gibraltar (via Malta) later the same day. (14)

24 Dec 1940 (position 33.20, 22.43)
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) encountered the Italian submarine Luigi Settembrini north of Derna, Libya. Settembrini fired one torpedo which missed Otus which was unable to attack the Italian submarine herself.

(All times are zone -2)
0530 hours - In position 33°20'N, 22°43'E sighted an Italian submarine, thought to be of the Mameli-class, right ahead stearing a course of 124° at close range. Otus was steering 299 degrees with a heavy head sea and the moon fine on the port quarter. Both submarines dived. Otus altered course to starboard to 055° and went to 55 feet.

0532 hours - Obtained Asdic contact bearing 135° at a range of 2000 yards.

0545 hours - Heard a loud explosion which seemed some way off. It was thought the enemy might have fired a torpedo. Otus went to periscope depth in the hope the enemy might surface but the enemy was not seen.

Otus was indeed attacked by an Italian submarine. This was Luigi Settembrini which had fired one torpedo. (13)

28 Dec 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Malta. (14)

29 Dec 1940
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to make a short patrol in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea before proceeding to Gibraltar.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(14)

10 Jan 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (15)

17 Jan 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Azores.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(13)

12 Feb 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Portsmouth. At Portsmouth repairs were made and a new loop aerial was fitted. (13)

5 Mar 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth. (16)

6 Mar 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Dartmouth for a training period as most of her crew had been changed. (16)

7 Mar 1941
During work-up exercises and while submerged, HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN), lost contact with the escorting Motor Launch in bad visibility. Contact could not be establised and for a while the worst was feared but eventually HMS Otus showed up off the harbour entrance around 1800 hours. Her late return was caused by engine defects. (17)

13 Mar 1941
With her engine defects repaired HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Dartmouth for Gibraltar.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this passage see the map below.

(18)

19 Mar 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. Otus had a defective armature on her starboard engine, only her port main engine was operational. (16)

1 Apr 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (19)

2 Apr 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (19)

3 Apr 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 11th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Oran as it is thought that the Vichy-French battleship Dunkerque might be leaving that port.

For the daily positions of HMS Otus during this patrol see the map below.

(13)

5 Apr 1941
Her patrol off Oran is cancelled, HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is ordered to return to Gibraltar. (13)

7 Apr 1941
HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. Otus was now out of action with engine defects for a while. (13)


Submarine HMS Taku (N 38)


25 Apr 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) participated in RD/F trials off Gibraltar.

26 Apr 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 11th war patrol. This is her 1st Mediterranean war patrol. She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea and to proceed to Alexandria afterwards.

For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below.

(20)

4 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) attacks the Italian merchant Goggiam (1994 GRT, built 1922) ship in position 350°Cape Vaticano 6 nautical miles. Two torpedoes were fired but both missed.

(All times are zone -3)
1234 hours - Sighted a small merchant ship of about 1100 tons bearing 166°, range 6900 yards, speed 9 knots. Commenced attack.

1251 hours - In position 350° Cape Vaticano 6 nautical miles fired two torpedoes from 3000 yards. Both missed. The target altered course away and closed the coast. (20)

6 May 1941 (position 39.18, 15.59)
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Cagliari (2322 GRT, built 1907) in the Tyrrhenian Sea off San Lucido, Calabria, Italy in position 39°18'N, 15°59'E.

(All times are zone -3)
1929 hours - In position 39°18'N, 15°59'E sighted a merchant ship (thought to be Belvedere, 7166 tons, built 1913). Started attack.

1944 hours - Fired three torpedoes. The ship was sunk. (No further details in patrol report and log). (20)

17 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Alexandria. (20)

22 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is docked at Alexandria in the Gabbari Dry Dock. (21)

26 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is undocked. (21)

1 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 12th war patrol. This is her 2nd Mediterranean war patrol. She is to patrol in Gulf of Sirte.

For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below.

(22)

7 Jun 1941
While on patrol off Az-Zuwaytinah, Libya HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) intercepts a small convoy made up of one schooner, one tug towing a leighter and one A/S trawler as escort. She attacked with gunfire but after the first round the gun misfired. As the gun continued to misfire she has to abort the attack. The A/S trawler dropped six depth charges but these did no damage. (The vessels attacked were the Italian schooners Elisa and Nadia escorted by the Italian gunboat Mario Bianco.)

During the night of 7-8 June 1941 the folbot party was landed on Gharah Island. The island was found to be uninhabited. (22)

8 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) lands a folbot party at Al Burayqah, Libya. The folbot party made a landing and investigated the old ford. It was found to be ruined and deserted. Then another landing was made but the folbot party was detected and had to leave the beach under a hail of bullets. Fortunately no one was hit. The shore battery at Al Burayqah was bombarded by Taku after the folbot party was recovered. 7 Rounds were fired for one hit and one possible hit. (22)

11 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) torpedoed and sank the German munitions transport Tilly L.M. Russ (1600 GRT, built 1926) at Bengasi, Libya. Several smaller vessels were also sunk or damaged.

(All times are zone -3)
2140 hours - In position 1 nautical mile bearing 270° from the Bengasi breakwater light, fires one torpedo against a supply ship in the harbour. The torpedo hit the target and started a large fire. Three minutes later Taku proceeded up the Bengasi swept channel back out to sea.

Italian sources give the following info: When the ammunition ship Tilly L.M. Russ blew up 15 men were missing including all her AA gunners, the auxiliary schooners Giorgina (253 GRT, raised in July 1941) and Nadia (243 GRT) were sunk by the blast and the steamer Ninfea (607 GRT, built 1918) and the schooners Rosina (244 GRT), [also reported as damaged by aircraft on 9 June] and Luigi (? GRT) were set afire, the water tanker Elisa (216 GRT) was also damaged. (22)

12 Jun 1941 (position 32.27, 18.42)
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) intercepts a convoy and torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Silvio Scaroni (1367 GRT, built 1921) in the Gulf of Syrte 70 nautical miles bearing 283° off Benghazi, Libya in position 32°27'N, 18°42'E.

Silvio Scaroni was in convoy together with the Italian merchants Cadamosto (1010 GRT, built 1905) and Aosta (562 GRT, built 1913). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Polluce and Palade.

(All times are zone -3)
0435 hours - In position 32°20'N, 18°49'E, HMS Taku sighted a convoy. The convoy is identified as an Italian Orione class torpedo boat, an Italian MAS boat and three merchant ships of 1500, 2600 and 2500 tons respectively.

0503 hours - Two torpedoes were fired against the last ship in line. One of these torpedoes was seen to hit just abaft the foremast. The ship sank.

0505 hours - The torpedo boat was seen heading straight for Taku so Lt.Cdr. Nicolay went deep. (22)

22 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 12th war patrol at Alexandria. (22)

1 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is docked at Alexandria in the Gabbari Dry Dock for repairs to her Asdic dome and some other small repairs. (23)

5 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is undocked. (23)

8 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 13th war patrol. This is her 3rd Mediterranean war patrol. She is to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below.

(22)

13 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian passenger / cargo ship Caldea (2703 GRT, built 1928) 10 nautical miles bearing 312 of the Bengasi lighthouse, Libya.

(All times are zone -3)
0956 hours - Taku sighted the target about 7000 yards away. The target was escorted by three A/S trawlers. Taku closed for a torpedo attack.

1014 hours - Fired four torpedoes. The first torpedo missed the target but the remaining three all hit. The ship sank and there was no counter attack on Taku. (22)

15 Jul 1941 (position 30.41, 18.19)
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper Vincenzo P. (270 GRT, built 1918) and damaged the tug Nettuno (406 GRT, built 1921) in position 30°41'N, 18°19'E.

(All times are zone -3)
1430 hours - An armed tug and a schooner were sighted in position 30°56'N, 17°56'E. Weather conditions were unfavourable for gunnery action. Taku shadowed the ships.

2126 hours - The ships were at anchor close inshore in position 30°41'N, 18°19'E. Taku surfaced to launch a folbot party. The folbot however broke in a wave and the idea of a folbot attack was abandoned. (A folbot is a folding kayak).

2314 hours - The armed tug was engaged with gunfire from 300 yards. A lighter was sighted laying astern of the tug. The lighter was slipped and drifted ashore. The tug was hit, the crew slipped the anchor cable and beached itself. Taku now shifted fire to the schooner. 12 rounds were fired from 150 yards. The schooner was then boarded. Charts, books, etc. were captured. The schooner was the Vincenzo P. and was loaded with provisions. The schooner was then sunk by gunfire. (Italian sources give the tug as Italian tug Nettuno. She was badly damaged and beached, The crew was saved and the tug was later salvaged.) (22)

19 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
As a result of an ULTRA intercept, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN), patrolled north of Benghazi to intercept the Italian transport Bosforo (3647 GRT, 1929). The submarine had been informed that the Italia vessel was leaving Naples and would be at 0630C/19 July in position 33°06'N, 20°16'E where it would be met by a torpedo-boat and arrive at Benghazi at 1200C the same day.

Nothing was sighted except a fishing boat at 0900/19 in position 32°33'N, 20°05.6'E. Bosforo in fact arrived on the afternoon of the 19th, a few hours late on her schedule. Captain S.1 was later criticized for having sent a signal which was too explicit and could have compromised the ULTRA secret it had been deciphered by the enemy or fallen in its hands. It was felt, that he ought to have just changed the submarine patrol position.

21 Jul 1941
In the early morning HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) landed a folbot party of two (Corporal R. Halloran, K.R.R. and Marine Miles from Lay Force) off Benghazi. They were to attack a 2500-ton ship in the harbour (this was most probably Bosforo). Several explosions were observed in the harbour 40 minutes after launching the folbot party. The folbot party did not show up on the rendezvous point. They were obviously captured. (22)

28 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 13th war patrol at Alexandria. This was the last patrol of Taku. She is now sent back to the U.K. for a refit due to engine problems. (22)


Submarine HMS Perseus (i) (N 36)


11 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (24)

12 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Alexandria with HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN) and HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN). (24)

15 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked at Alexandria. (24)

17 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was undocked. (24)

19 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked again at Alexandria. (24)

20 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was undocked. Later this day she departed Alexandria for her 10th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Perseus during this patrol see the map below.


HMS Perseus 10th war patrol click here for bigger map (25)

25 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was ordered to patrol in position 36°25'N, 21°19'E to intercept an expected convoy.

28 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was ordered to patrol off the Dardanelles.

5 Sep 1941 (position 39.43, 25.57)
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian tanker Maya (3867 GRT, built 1894) south of Tenedos Island in position 39°43'N, 25°57'E.

Later a second attack was made on the damaged tanker in which a torpedo was fired to finish her off but it missed.

The tanker was beyond salvage and was later sunk by her escort.

(All times are zone -3)
0755 hours - Sighted a merchant ships and a tanker to the Southward. Range was about 7 nautical miles. Estimated the enemy's course at 032°. Closed to attack.

0816 hours - The merchant vessel was identified as the Romanian Balcic (3600 GRT, built 1940). One destroyer/torpedo boat was seen to be the escort (this was the Italian torpedo boat Sirio).

0833 hours - Fired four torpedoes at the tanker from 5100 yards. Two explosions were heard thought to be torpedo hits. A counter attack of 4 depth charges followed but none were close.

0936 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted the damaged tanker with a 50 degree list to Port. One torpedo was fired to finish her off but it missed. Now 13 depth charges followed but again none were close.

1037 hours - Returned to periscope depth. No sign of the tanker or of Balcic. The destroyer/torpedo boat was seen making off at high speed. (25)

9 Sep 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (25)

22 Sep 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Alexandria for her 11th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out with HMSAS Protea and HMS Kingston Cyanite (Skr. F.A. Yeomans, RNR).

No log is available so no map can be displayed. (25)

2 Oct 1941 (position 32.30, 19.09)
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant Castellon (2086 GRT, built 1935) about 50 nautical miles north-west of Benghazi, Libya in position 32°30'N, 19°09'E. Perseus missed the German merchant Savona (2120 GRT, built 1934) during the same attack.

(All times are zone -3)
0955 hours - Sighted a convoy coming out of the mist at a range of 6000 yards. It comprised two merchant ships and two destroyers/torpedo boats as escort (these were the Italian torpedo boats Calliope and Pegaso. Started attack.

1005 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the leading merchant ship from 3500 yards. One hit was obtained.

1007 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the second ship. Two very loud explosions followed.

1011 - 1034 hours - A counter attack of 38 depth charges followed. None however were very close.

1215 hours - Several explosions were heard followed by breaking up noises. (25)

3 Oct 1941 (position 32.50, 19.18)
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel with two torpedoes about 50 nautical miles North-West of Benghazi, Libya in position 32°50'N, 19°18'E. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -3)
0210 hours - Sighted two destroyers/torpedo boats bearing 225°, range 4.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 330°. Shortly afterwards a merchant vessel of 5000 to 6000 tons was seen astern of the escorts. Closed to attack.

0239 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 5000 yards. Both torpedoes missed. Did not set off in pursuit as the ship was bound for Italy and most likely in ballast.

According to Italian sources the targets were actually two merchant ships Capo Faro (3476 GRT, built 1906) and Iseo (2366 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the torpedo boat Pegaso. They had sailed from Benghazi at 1810/2 and were on their way to Brindisi. Capo Faro observed a torpedo track at 0255/3, the position is not given but given the distance from Benghazi, she was with little doubt the target. (25)

4 Oct 1941 (position 31.03, 17.30)
In the early moring hours HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) tried to attack a convoy two schooners and one tug towing a lighter near position 31°03'N, 17°30'E. She was spotted by the escorting destroyer/torpedo boat. At 0445 hours Perseus was forced to dive and subsequently depth charged causing some minor damage.

8 Oct 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (25)

15 Nov 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Central Mediterranean to intercept an important enemy convoy to North Africa.

No log is available so no map can be displayed. (26)

18 Nov 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. She returned with defective hydroplanes. (26)

26 Nov 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghazi, Libya. Upon completion of this patrol she was to proceed to Alexandria. (25)

27 Nov 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is ordered (by signal) to patrol off the West coast of Greece instead of Benghazi, Libya. (25)

4 Dec 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Eridano (3586 GRT, built 1912) 6 nautical miles bearing 280 from Cape Dukato, Lefkada island, Greece.

The Eridano was unescorted and was on passage from Corfu to Patras.

Sources

  1. ADM 173/15873
  2. ADM 173/15874
  3. ADM 173/15875
  4. ADM 173/15876
  5. ADM 173/16376
  6. ADM 173/16377
  7. ADM 173/16378
  8. ADM 173/16379
  9. ADM 173/16380
  10. ADM 173/16384
  11. ADM 173/16385
  12. ADM 173/16386
  13. ADM 199/1831
  14. ADM 173/16387
  15. ADM 173/16843
  16. ADM 173/16845
  17. ADM 199/655
  18. ADM 173/16845 + ADM 199/655
  19. ADM 173/16846
  20. ADM 199/1846
  21. ADM 173/17007
  22. ADM 199/1151
  23. ADM 173/17009
  24. ADM 173/16900
  25. ADM 199/1832
  26. ADM 199/2565

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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