Wreck found of submarine HMS P311 after 73 years


Wreck found of submarine HMS P311 after 73 years
Flag The wreck of wartime British submarine HMS P311 has finally been found by Italian divers near the island of Tavolora in Sardinia. She was lost with all hands between 30th December 1942 and 8th January 1943 while undertaking Operation PRINCIPLE. Her targets were two Italian Navy cruisers based at La Maddalena in Sardinia. For the mission she was carrying two Chariot Mk.1 human torpedoes in sealed containers mounted behind the sail.

Had she returned from the mission, she was due to be officially named HMS Tutankhamen. But because the naming ceremony never took place she is remembered in history as HMS P311, the only T-Class submarine not to bar a name.

Wreck found of submarine HMS P311 after 73 years
Wreck found of submarine HMS P311 after 73 years
Probably from near the conning tower, looking aft over the twin Chariot cyclinders.
Wreck found of submarine HMS P311 after 73 years
P311's sster boat HMS Trooper with twin Chariot cylinders in the same configuration as P311. Trooper was involved in the same mission but enjoyed better success.

Wreck found of submarine HMS P311 after 73 years
The rear-facing torpedo tube.

Wreck found of submarine HMS P311 after 73 years
The stern with rudder, hydroplanes and rear-facing torpedo tube on top.

Wreck found of submarine HMS P311 after 73 years
Looking towards the bow.

Read and see more (Italian): diregiovani.it and lanuovasardegna.gelocal.it