Allied Warships

HMS Sea Nymph (P 223)

Submarine of the S class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassS 
PennantP 223 
ModThird Group 
Built byCammell Laird Shipyard (Birkenhead, U.K.) 
Ordered2 Sep 1940 
Laid down6 May 1941 
Launched29 Jul 1942 
Commissioned3 Nov 1942 
End service 
History

Scrapped at Troon, Scotland in June 1948.

 
Former nameP 73

Commands listed for HMS Sea Nymph (P 223)

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. Geoffrey Deryck Nicholson Milner, DSC, RN7 Sep 194215 Apr 1943
2Lt. Derrick George Kent, RN15 Apr 19433 Jun 1943
3Lt. John Philip Holroyde Oakley, DSC, RN3 Jun 1943Mar 1944
4Lt. Norman Limbury Auchinleck Jewell, RNMar 194415 Apr 1944
5Lt. Marcel Ivan Usher, RN15 Apr 1944Nov 1945

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Notable events involving Sea Nymph include:


The history of HMS Sea Nymph as compiled on this page is extracted from the logbooks and patrol reports of this submarine

This page was last updated in February 2020.

1 Nov 1942
P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR). (1)

2 Nov 1942
P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (1)

3 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile. Following this she returned to Holy Loch where she was placed in commission. (1)

5 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

9 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

10 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

13 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (1)

14 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

15 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

16 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these she proceeded to Holy Loch. (1)

18 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (1)

19 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials in the Clyde area. (1)

20 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted echo sounding trials in the Clyde area. (1)

21 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

22 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt.Cdr. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) served as target. On completion of these exercises noise trials were carried out in Loch Goil. (1)

23 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (1)

25 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) on a target that was being towed by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (1)

26 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as target. (1)

27 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as target. Upon completion of these exercises HMS P 223 proceeded to Rothesay. (1)

28 Nov 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Holy Loch. (1)

2 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Lord Teynham, RN) served as target. (2)

3 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). These included gunnery exercises. (3)

4 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (2)

5 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (2)

7 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) and HMS P 49 (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, RN) both departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (2)

9 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in exercises. (2)

10 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

12 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Preston North End (Lt. K.A. Vasey, MBE, RNR). (2)

13 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (2)

16 Dec 1942
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was to provide cover for convoy operations to and from Northern Russia.

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

(4)

2 Jan 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick.

She departed for Holy Loch later the same day. She made the passage together with HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) and HMS P 339 (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, RN). They were escorted by HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. R.W.H. Elsden, RNVR). (4)

4 Jan 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (5)

21 Jan 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) is docked at Elderslie. (5)

25 Jan 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) is undocked. (5)

3 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. On completion of these she proceeded to Loch Goil. (6)

4 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (6)

5 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area on a target that was being towed by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt.Cdr. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (6)

6 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. On completion of these she proceeded to Campbeltown. (6)

8 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (6)

9 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (6)

10 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (6)

11 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. On completion of these exercises she proceeded to Holy Loch. (6)

13 Feb 1943
HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) and HMS P 229 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (6)

15 Feb 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed for her 2nd war patrol later the same day. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway.

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

(4)

11 Mar 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

20 Mar 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Lofoten Islands.

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

(4)

9 Apr 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

13 Apr 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (7)

27 Apr 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Ardrossan for repairs. (7)

1 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) is docked at Ardrossan. (8)

6 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is undocked. (8)

18 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) shifted from Ardrossan to Holy Loch. (8)

21 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included a practice attack on HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). (8)

22 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (8)

23 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted RDF trials off Campbeltown. She put into Campbeltown on completion of these exercises. (8)

24 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (8)

25 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Proteus (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) served as the target. (9)

28 Jun 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

The passage South through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Surf (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

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

(4)

13 Jul 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) fires a full salvo of 6 torpedoes at the German submarines U-592 and U-669 in the Bay of Biscay in position 45°45'N, 05°19'W. The torpedoes however miss their target(s).

(All times are zone -2)
0841 hours - The Officer Of the Watch reported a large shape ahead.

0842 hours - HE was heard close ahead on the port bow.

0845 hours - Sighted 2 U-boats bearing 150° at a range of 1000 yards. Started attack.

0848 hours - Fired a salvo of 6 torpedoes from a range of 4000 yards. The U-boats were close together and it was hoped that a hit might be obtained despite the 170° track.

0856 hours - Heard a loud metallic explosion that was hoped to be a hit. This was followed by small explosions and hissing noises. Only 1 U-boat was seen and heard after this explosion and it was thought the other one was hit and sunk but this was not the case. (4)

20 Jul 1943
At 1300 hours, HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) made rendez-vous with her escort, HMS White Bear (Cdr. J.F. Drake, RNR), off the Scilly Islands. (4)

22 Jul 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Holy Loch. (4)

26 Jul 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (10)

28 Jul 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is undocked. (10)

3 Aug 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay for an anti-Uboat patrol.

Passage South through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) and HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) until 1250/5. They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

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

(4)

19 Aug 1943
At 0700 hours, HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN), made rendez-vous with HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) and their escort HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN). (4)

20 Aug 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Holy Loch. (4)

30 Aug 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Port HHZ (Loch Cairnbawn). She made the passage together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN). They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Cdr.(Retd.) K.M. Greig, DSO, DSC, RN). (11)

31 Aug 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Port HHZ where she was to participate in exercises with midged submarines. (11)

1 Sep 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Port HHZ. (12)

11 Sep 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Port HHZ for her 6th war patrol. She is to tow midget submarine X 8 to the entrance to the Alten Fjord in Northern Norway.

Sea Nymph and X 8 are part of Operation Source. An attack by six midget submarines on the German battleship Tirpitz.

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

(13)

15 Sep 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) lost her tow, midget submarine X 8. A search was commenced. (13)

16 Sep 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) found midget submarine X 8. She was taken in tow again. (13)

18 Sep 1943
At 0350 hours, HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) scuttled midget submarine X 8 in position 71°41'N, 18°11'E as she was unable to dive and therefore unable to take part in the operation. (13)

8 Oct 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Lerwick.

She departed later the same day for the Clyde. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN).

Off Scapa Flow they were joined by HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN). (13)

10 Oct 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Kames Bay. (14)

11 Oct 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) shifted from Kames Bay to Holy Loch. (14)

20 Oct 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (14)

22 Oct 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is undocked. (14)

2 Nov 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)

3 Nov 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. (15)

4 Nov 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. (15)

5 Nov 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. (15)

6 Nov 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)

11 Nov 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR), HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN). They were escorted by the British minesweeper HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (15)

13 Nov 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (15)

15 Nov 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway.

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

(4)

7 Dec 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Lerwick.

She departed later the same day for Holy Loch together with HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) until around 1000/08 when HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN) took over the escort. (4)

10 Dec 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (16)

15 Dec 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (16)

20 Dec 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is undocked. (16)

22 Dec 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (16)

24 Dec 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (16)

28 Dec 1943
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to carry out a special operation.

Sea Nymph proceeded to Lunna Voe on this day.

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

(4)

28 Dec 1943
After embarking agents and stores HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lunna Voe. (4)

7 Jan 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) transferred agents and stores to a fishing vessel in Breisundet, Norway. (4)

10 Jan 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

16 Jan 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bodø area.

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

(4)

25 Jan 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel South of Svinvær, Rødøy, Norway. 4 Torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -1)
1146 hours - Asdic reported a ship. Started attack.

1158 hours - In position 66°43'N, 13°08'E fired 4 torpedoes against a merchant ship of 1000 to 1500 tons that was escorted by a trawler. Range was 2750 yards. No hits were obtained.

1210 hours - The target and the trawler were seen proceeding as before. The attack appears to have been not noticed.

The target might have been the Norwegian merchant (in German service) Kong Dag (1862 GRT, built 1923, offsite link), escorted by the German patrol vessel V-6104. (4)

30 Jan 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

31 Jan 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (17)

2 Feb 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (18)

4 Feb 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (18)

7 Feb 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) is undocked. (18)

19 Feb 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN) served as target. (18)

20 Feb 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed the Clyde for Lerwick. She made the passage North through the Minches together with HMS Tudor (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) (to Scapa Flow) and HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) (to Dundee). They were escorted by HMS Wallflower (Lt. G.R. Greaves, RNR). (18)

21 Feb 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (18)

22 Feb 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered to perform a special operation and then to patrol in the Bodø area afterwards.

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

(4)

25 Feb 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) receives a signal that the special operation is cancelled. (4)

1 Mar 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) fires four torpedoes against the Norwegian merchant Jupiter (2471 GRT, offsite link, built 1916) near Bodø, Norway. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

(All times are zone -1)
0923 hours - In position 66°42'N, 13°11'E sighted a Northbound convoy made up of a 5000 tons merchant vessel and two 1000 tons merchant vessel. Escort was thought to be a torpedo boat and an armed whaler. Range was 8000 yards. Started attack.

1139 hours - In position 66°42'N, 13°12'E fired four torpedoes from 1400 yards. It is thought that one hit was obtained. Seanymph went deep on firing and retired to the West.

[The escort was made up of the German minesweeper M 132 and the German auxiliary patrol vessel V 5714]. (4)

3 Mar 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) fires four torpedoes against the German merchant Levante (4769 GRT, built 1939) near Bodø, Norway. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

(All times are zone -1)
0908 hours - Sighted a large Northbound merchant vessel of about 7000 tons. She was escorted by two M-class minesweepers. Started attack.

0918 hours - In position 66°43'N, 13°07'5"E fired five torpedoes from 2700 yards. Went deep on firing. It was thought that a hit had been obtained. A counter attack followed but this caused no damage to Sea Nymph.

[The escorts were indeed two German minesweepers, M 205 and M 253]. (4)

8 Mar 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

9 Mar 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage South together with HMS Tudor (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) which joined early next morning off Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (19)

11 Mar 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (19)

25 Mar 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, M.B.E., RN) departed Holy Loch for the U.S.A. where she was to refit at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) until 2033/26 when they parted company in position 57°05'N, 13°00'W.

No logs are available for this period so no map can be displayed. (4)

5 Apr 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, M.B.E., RN) arrived at Argentia. She was escorted in by HMS Trentonian (T/Lt. W.E. Harrison, RCNVR). (4)

6 Apr 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, M.B.E., RN) departed Argentia for Halifax. (4)

8 Apr 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, M.B.E., RN) arrived at Halifax. (4)

13 Apr 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, M.B.E., RN) departed Halifax for New London, U.S.A. She was escorted by HMCS Gananoque (T/Skr.Lt. E.S.N. Pleasance, RCNR). (4)

15 Apr 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, M.B.E., RN) arrived at New London. (4)

18 Apr 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed New London for Philadelphia. (4)

19 Apr 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Philadelphia to begin her refit. (4)

16 Sep 1944
With her refit completed HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed the Philadelphia Navy Yard for New London. (20)

17 Sep 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at New London to begin a period of trials and training. (20)

19 Sep 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (21)

21 Sep 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (21)

22 Sep 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (21)

25 Sep 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (21)

29 Sep 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed New London for St. John's, Canada. She was escorted by HMCS Edmundston (T/Lt. J. Lecky, RCNVR). (4)

4 Oct 1944
After some delay by heavy weather HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at St. John's, Canada. (4)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed St. John's for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. B. James, RNVR). (4)

18 Oct 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Holy Loch where she started a training period. (4)

6 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (22)

10 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at the torpedo firing range at Arrochar (Loch Long). These were followed by exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

13 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (22)

14 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted radar trials off Campbeltown. She put into Campbeltown on completion. (22)

15 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted radar exercises off Campbeltown. (22)

16 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted S.T.U. (mine detection) trials at Largs Bay. She proceeded to Holy Loch on completion. (22)

18 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (22)

19 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (22)

21 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a COPP party. (22)

23 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a COPP party. (22)

25 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which and HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the targets. (22)

26 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which and HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. Upon completion of these night exercises HMS Sea Nymph proceeded to Holy Loch. (23)

29 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which and HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the targets. (22)

30 Nov 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which and HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the target. Upon completion of these night exercises HMS Sea Nymph proceeded to Holy Loch. (22)

1 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the target. (23)

2 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) shifted from the Clyde area to Larne. (23)

4 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Affleck (Cdr.(Retd.) C. Gwinner, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Bentley (Lt. F.L. Boyer, RN) and HMS Capel (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN). (23)

6 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 21st Escort Group. (23)

7 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises off Larne. (23)

8 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (23)

9 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (23)

10 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (23)

11 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (23)

12 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (23)

15 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (23)

16 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (23)

18 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (23)

19 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (23)

21 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which and HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (23)

22 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Arran. (23)

23 Dec 1944
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which and HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. Upon completion of these night exercises HMS Sea Nymph proceeded to Holy Loch. (23)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed the Clyde for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (24)

6 Jan 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed later the same day for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea on an anti-uboat patrol.

No positions are noted in the ships log so no map can be displayed. (4)

17 Jan 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Elm (T/Lt. B.W. Webb, RNVR).

Early the next morning, off Scapa Flow, she was joined by HMS Unsparing. HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR) then took over the escort. (24)

26 Jan 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. She soon went to Eldersly to have a new battery installed. (24)

24 Feb 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) returned to Holy Loch.

[no logs are available for HMS Sea Nymph after February 1945.] (25)

12 Mar 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed the Clyde for Gibraltar. This was the first leg of her passage to the Far East. She made the passage to Gibraltar in convoy OS 116 / KMS 90.

No logs are available so no map of the passage to the far east can be displayed. (26)

22 Mar 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (27)

23 Mar 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (27)

27 Mar 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Malta. (27)

2 Apr 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. (27)

6 Apr 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Port Said. (27)

8 Apr 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) transited the Suez Canal and arrived at Suez. (27)

9 Apr 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (27)

14 Apr 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Aden. She is having problems with her battery. (27)

26 Apr 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Aden to return to Port Said where a new battery will be installed. It had been decided to sent Sea Nymph back to Port Said due to congestion at the Colombo shipyards. (27)

1 May 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Suez. (27)

2 May 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) transited the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said. (27)

16 May 1945
With a new battery installed HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Port Said, transited the Suez Canal and arrived at Suez. (27)

17 May 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (27)

22 May 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Aden. She departed later the same day for Trincomalee. (27)

2 Jun 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (27)

12 Jun 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Trincomalee for passage to Subic Bay where she was to join the 8th Submarine Flotilla. (27)

28 Jun 1945
HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Subic Bay. (28)

13 Jul 1945
While alongside HMS Maidstone (Capt. L.M. Shadwell, RN, also Capt. S 8), HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) suffered a fire. The next day damage was inpected and although less then expected it was beyond the repair facilities in the Far East and she should be sent home for repairs. (28)

31 Jul 1945
After temporary repairs HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Subic Bay to return to the U.K.

Passage was taken through Leyte, Manus, Darwin, Trincomalee, Suez, Port Said, Gibraltar, Portsmouth to Harwich where she arrived on 30 October.

In the end HMS Sea Nymph was not repaired but paid off into reserve. (28)

17 Aug 1945
The damaged submarine HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Manus for Darwin. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN). (29)

25 Aug 1945
The damaged submarine HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) and her escort, the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN), arrived at Darwin from Manus. (30)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/17466
  2. ADM 173/17467
  3. ADM 173/17567
  4. ADM 199/1840
  5. ADM 173/17915
  6. ADM 173/18023
  7. ADM 173/18025
  8. ADM 173/18027
  9. ADM 173/17890 + ADM 173/18027
  10. ADM 173/18028
  11. ADM 173/18029
  12. ADM 173/18030
  13. ADM 199/888
  14. ADM 173/18031
  15. ADM 173/18032
  16. ADM 173/18033
  17. ADM 173/18665
  18. ADM 173/18666
  19. ADM 199/1385
  20. ADM 199/1912
  21. War diary Sub. base New London / Sep. 1944
  22. ADM 173/18667
  23. ADM 173/18668
  24. ADM 173/19605
  25. ADM 173/19606
  26. ADM 199/1913
  27. ADM 199/2570
  28. ADM 199/1919
  29. War diary of the Manus naval base for August 1945 + War diary of the Darwin naval base for August 1945
  30. War diary of the Darwin naval base for August 1945

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


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