Guy Claud Ian St Barbe Slade Watkins, RN
| Born | 1911 | ||
| Died | Dec 1940 | (29) | HMS Triton (N 15) |
| Ranks
Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Guy Claud Ian St Barbe Slade Watkins, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS H 33 (N 33) | Lt. | Submarine | Feb 1940 | 14 Jun 1940 |
| HMS Otway (N 51) | Lt. | Submarine | Jul 1940 | 12 Aug 1940 |
| HMS Triton (N 15) | Lt. | Submarine | 19 Aug 1940 | 18 Dec 1940 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS H 33 (N 33)
12 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
13 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
15 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
16 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 shifted from Portsmouth to Portland. She was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (1)
17 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 participated in exercises off Portland. (1)
18 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 participated in exercises off Portland. (1)
19 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 participated in exercises off Portland. (1)
20 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 participated in exercises off Portland. (1)
21 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 participated in exercises off Portland. (1)
22 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 participated in exercises off Portland. (1)
25 Feb 1940
HMS H 33 shifted from Portland to Plymouth. She was escorted by HMS Tamura (later to be named HMS Comet). (1)
27 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 participated in exercises off Plymouth. (1)
29 Feb 1940
HMS H 33 participated in exercises off Plymouth.
[No logs are available for HMS H 33 from March 1940 - May 1940, therefore little details regarding her operations are currently known to us.] (1)
20 Mar 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) departed Plymouth for her 2nd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the west coast of Ireland with HMS Comet.
For the daily positions of HMS H 33 during this patrol see the map below. (HMS Comet was operating very near to HMS H 33).
(2)
2 Apr 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Plymouth. She was taken in hand for repairs at the Devonport Dockyard. (2)
20 May 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) departed Plymouth for her 3rd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the west coast of Ireland with HMS H 43 (Lt. G.R. Colvin, RN) and HMS Manor (T/Lt. A. Rosling, RNVR). (2)
20 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS H 33 during her 3rd war patrol see the map below.
30 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Campbeltown. (2)
4 Jun 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. (3)
5 Jun 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. These included a practice attack on HMS Tuscarora (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Stubbs, RN). (3)
6 Jun 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. These included a practice attack on HMS Tuscarora (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Stubbs, RN). (3)
7 Jun 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. These included a practice attack on HMS Tuscarora (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Stubbs, RN). (3)
11 Jun 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. These included a practice attack on HMS Tuscarora (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Stubbs, RN). (3)
12 Jun 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. These included a practice attack on HMS Tuscarora (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Stubbs, RN). (3)
13 Jun 1940
(Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. These included a practice attack on HMS Tuscarora (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Stubbs, RN). (3)
14 Jun 1940
HMS H 33 (Lt. G.C.I.St B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. These included a practice attack on HMS Tuscarora (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Stubbs, RN).
Upon completion of these exercises Lt. Watkins left HMS H 33. Lt. Tomkinson arrived the next day to take command. The first lieutenant was therefore in command for almost one day. (3)
Submarine HMS Otway (N 51)
5 Jul 1940
HMS Otway (Lt. G.C.I.St.B.S. Watkins, RN) departed Portsmouth for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel.
No log is available for this period so no map for this patrol can be displayed. (4)
12 Jul 1940
HMS Otway (Lt. G.C.I.St.B.S. Watkins, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Portsmouth. (4)
13 Jul 1940
HMS Otway (Lt. G.C.I.St.B.S. Watkins, RN) departed Portsmouth for Rothesay. (5)
16 Jul 1940
HMS Otway (Lt. G.C.I.St.B.S. Watkins, RN) arrived at Rothesay. She was now assigned to the 7th Submarine Flotilla for training purposes. She was often used for the Commanding Officers Qualifying Course. (5)
1 Aug 1940
HMS Otway (Lt. G.C.I.St.B.S. Watkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (6)
9 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. G.C.I.St.B.S. Watkins, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (6)
12 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. G.C.I.St.B.S. Watkins, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (6)
Submarine HMS Triton (N 15)
27 Aug 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) is undocked. (7)
29 Aug 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) is docked again at the Rosyth Dockyard, but this time in AFD 3. (7)
30 Aug 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) is undocked. (7)
4 Sep 1940
Around 1200A/4, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Mills, DSC, RN) and HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) departed from Rosyth for Gibraltar. They were to join the Mediterranean Fleet.
They were escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) until 2130A/7 when they all parted company.
Around 1600A/12, east of Lissabon, the submarines rejoined company.
The following morning, around 0800A/13, in position 36°00'N, 09°23'W, the submarines were joined by the destroyer HMS Wrestler (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, RN).
HMS Wrestler, HMS Tetrarch and HMS Triton arrived at Gibraltar around 0430A/14. (8)
21 Sep 1940
Around 2030A/21, HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 13th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa before proceeding to Malta.
[As no log is available no map can be displayed.] (9)
27 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
A.M. on the 27th, HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) arrived in her patrol area. A medium seized tanker and two smaller vessels were sighed through the periscope in the harbour of Oneglia. (9)
28 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0115A/28, in position 44°01.5'N, 09°15'E, HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) sighted a white light ahead which flashed twice. About three minutes later the sound of a high speed engine was heard and a faint white light was seen approaching on the port beam. HMS Triton dived and HE was picked up on the Asdic. The vessel, thought to be a MAS boat was heard to circle in the area for about ten minutes. (9)
1 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0050A/1, in position 43°58'N, 08°58'E, the Officer of the Watch of HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) smelt funnel smoke and a few minutes later a dim light was sighted. HMS Triton then commenced to close but the light was lost in a heavy rain squall and not seen again. (9)
3 Oct 1940
Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN of HMS Triton considered attacking two ships being under construction on the slipways at the Cantieri del Tirreno at Riva Trigoso. The sterns of the ships were however seen to be too far above the waterline to justify firing a couple of torpedoes in their direction.
The merchant ships under construction were most likely the Monviso (Italian, 5322 GRT, built 1941) and Monreale (Italian, 5323 GRT, built 1941). (9)
4 Oct 1940 (position 44.10, 8.52)
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) torpedoed and sank the merchant vessel Franca Fassio (italian, 1858 GRT, built 1892) proceeding from Genoa to Barcelona in position 44°10'N, 08°52'E.
1010A/4, in position 44°10'N, 08°52'E sighted a large merchant vessel on a course of 200°. The vessel was painted grey and had a gun on the poop. Fired four torpedoes from 1300 yards. Three hits were obtained and the vessel sank immediately. After the attack two motor boats, thought to be MAS boats were seen close by. They had not been seen before and during the attack. (9)
6 Oct 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) fires two torpedoes against what was thought to be a merchant vessel off Vado Ligure, Savona, Italy. (Lt. Watkins even claims a hit in his patrol report). Following this attack Triton surfaced and engaged the gas works and later a large factory with gunfire. Several hits were obtained.
According to Italian sources it however appears that Lt. Watkins target was not a merchant ship but that he mistook the chimney of the pump station for the funnel of a merchant ship. The Cieli Electric Station sustained slight damage from the gunfire.
1821A/6, while Triton was in position 075°, Vado Lighthouse, 1.3 nautical miles two torpedoes were fired against an anchored merchant ship of about 2000 to 4000 tons. Range was 4000 yards. One hit was claimed.
Immediately afterwards Triton surfaced and opened fire with the 4" gun on the gas works from 4300 yards. 18 rounds of HE (high explosive) were fired and several hits were observed. Fire was then shifted to a large factory. 11 rounds of HE were fired.
1827A/6, dived as shore batteries in the area opened fire. (9)
7 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) left her patrol area in the Gulf of Genoa to proceed to Malta via the west of Corsica and Sardinia. (9)
12 Oct 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)
28 Oct 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) departed from Malta for her 14th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic. After Triton sailed it became known that Italy had invaded Greece and that Greek submarines would be operating in the lower Adriatic and Straits of Otranto. Triton was therefore ordered to patrol north of 40°30'N.
[As no log is available no map can be displayed.] (9)
2 Nov 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) is ordered to leave the Adriatic and to proceed to a new patrol position off the Gulf of Taranto. This was as Greek submarines were now also operating in the Adriatic and thus to a friendly fire incident.
Also on this day, a barquentine and what are thought to be two auxiliary minesweepers are sighted around 1350A/2 in position 41°19'N, 18°26'E (about midway between Bari and Durres). The barquentine was under sail and proceeding westwards in ballast. The other vessels were diesel engined and of about 60 tons. They were keeping station together as if they were sweeping. (9)
3 Nov 1940 (position 40.18, 19.07)
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) sighted a submarine in the Straits of Otranto in position 40°18'N, 19°07'E. No attack is carried out as it was thought likely it might be a Greek submarine.
0150A/3, in position 40°18'N, 19°07'E sighted a submarine on the Port bow steering about 340°. The Officer of the Watch turned onto a firing course. Lt. Watkins immediately went to the bridge but decided not to fire as it was thought likely that it was a Greek submarine. It appeared Triton was not noticed by the other submarine. Triton was in an excellent position to attack, 600 yards range and a 90° track. (9)
5 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2327A/5, when south-east of Crotone, in position 38°47'N, 17°36'E, HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) sighed several times a white light, like a stern light. On closing nothing was seen though. Later HE was picked up on Asdic and followed for 30 minutes but again nothing was seen. (9)
8 Nov 1940
While patrolling in the Capo Colonna area, HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) was forced to dive twice for patrolling MAS boats. Once at 0130A/8 and then for a second time at 0310A/8. (9)
11 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While still patrolling in the Capo Colonna area, HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) was forced to dive for patrolling MAS boats at 2148A/11. A light, like a match being struck was seen but no engines were heard before diving. (9)
12 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) departed her patrol area to return to Malta. (9)
15 Nov 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)
28 Nov 1940
HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) departed from Malta for her 15th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the lower Adriatic and the Straits of Otranto between 40°N and 42°N.
Triton was ordered to remain on patrol on 13 December. She was to be back at Malta on 17 December. (9)
6 Dec 1940 (position 41.06, 18.39)
There is little doubt that HMS Triton (Lt. G.C.I.S.B. Watkins, RN) torpedoed the Italian merchant vessel Olimpia (6040 GRT, built 1920) in the lower Adriatic in position 41°06'N, 18°39'E. Olimpia was returning to Brindisi from a trip to Durazzo, in company of the Italian merchant vessel Carnia (5794 GRT, built 1923) and escorted by the destroyer Augusto Riboty. She was hit in the stern by one or two torpedoes. There were no casualties. The fragments of a torpedo were later recovered. The destroyer stood by as the Carnia took the stricken ship in tow. Following this attack the torpedo-boat Castelfidardo, motor torpedo boat MAS 512, boats from the 13th MAS Flotilla and the tug Ercole were ordered to her assistance. Olimpia reached Brindisi at 1730 hours.
Triton failed to return from patrol. Derelict mines had been observed in the Otranto Straits notably on the same day Olimpia was torpedoed. It is possible that Triton was sunk on one of these, unless she ran into one of the Italian defensive minefields in the area.
An SOS was sent by Olimpia, that was also picked up by the British. They also thought this was 'HMS Triton at work'.
Sources
- ADM 173/16293
- ADM 199/1828
- ADM 173/16294
- ADM 199/1831
- ADM 199/2564
- ADM 173/16390
- ADM 173/16649
- ADM 199/373
- ADM 199/1847
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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