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Notable events involving Perseus (i) include:

For photographs of the wreck of see this page.

The history of HMS Perseus as compiled on this page is extracted from the patrol reports and logbooks of this submarine. Corrections and details regarding information from the enemy's side (for instance the composition of convoys attacked) is kindly provided by Mr. Platon Alexiades, a naval researcher from Canada.

The page for this submarine was last updated in May 2014.

1 Sep 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Hong Kong together with HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Diana. (1)

3 Sep 1939
When war broke out with Germany HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was based at Hong Kong. (2)

4 Sep 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Hong Kong for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Pacific to the East of Luzon Strait.

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

HMS Perseus 1st war patrol click here for bigger map (2)

12 Sep 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Hong Kong. (2)

25 Sep 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was docked at Hong Kong. (2)

27 Sep 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was undocked. (2)

28 Sep 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong together with HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN). (2)

2 Oct 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Hong Kong for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Pacific, off the Kii-Suido, Japan.

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

HMS Perseus 2nd war patrol click here for bigger map (3)

21 Oct 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Hong Kong. (3)

25 Oct 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) started a short refit at Hong Kong when she was docked. (3)

7 Nov 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was undocked and ended her short refit. (4)

11 Nov 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore.

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

HMS Perseus passage Hong Kong - Singapore click here for bigger map (4)

16 Nov 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Singapore. (4)

21 Nov 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Singapore for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

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

HMS Perseus 6th war patrol click here for bigger map (4)

11 Dec 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Singapore. (5)

22 Dec 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (5)

27 Dec 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN) and HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (5)

28 Dec 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (5)

29 Dec 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Folkestone (Lt.Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (5)

30 Dec 1939
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Folkestone (Lt.Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (5)

1 Jan 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Folkestone (Lt.Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN). (6)

2 Jan 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Folkestone (Lt.Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (6)

8 Jan 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (6)

9 Jan 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (6)

10 Jan 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN).

Exercises continued during the night of 10 / 11 January. (6)

16 Jan 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (6)

17 Jan 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (6)

18 Jan 1940
During the night of 18/19 January 1940 HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted night exercises off Singapore. (6)

31 Jan 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (6)

1 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)

7 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)

8 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (7)

12 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was docked at Singapore. (7)

13 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was undocked. (7)

15 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (7)

16 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (7)

20 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) and HMS Grampus (Lt.Cdr. C.A. Rowe, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)

21 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)

23 Feb 1940
HMS Grampus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Nowell, RN), HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) and HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) carried out together off Singapore with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (8)

28 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)

29 Feb 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (7)

1 Mar 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (9)

4 Mar 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (9)

5 Mar 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (9)

6 Mar 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (9)

7 Mar 1940
HMS Grampus (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Nowell, RN) returned to Singapore. Exercises had been carried out together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN), HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN), HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) and HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN). (10)

13 Mar 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (9)

18 Mar 1940
During 18 to 20 March 1940 HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted independent exercises off Singapore. (9)

26 Mar 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Singapore for her 4th war patrol. She was to patrol off Batavia, Netherlands East Indies (now Jakarta, Indonesia).

As there is no log available for April 1940 no map can be displayed. (9)

10 Apr 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Singapore. (11)

12 Apr 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong. (11)

17 Apr 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Hong Kong. (11)

22 Apr 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was taken in hand for repairs of 'an urgent defect'. Repairs were completed on 30 April. (11)

1 May 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Hong Kong for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Vladivostock, Russia to observe naval activity.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Thracian (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) and HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN).

As no log is available for May 1940 no map can be displayed. (12)

17 May 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Hong Kong. Following this patrol Perseus was docked at Hong Kong. (12)

18 Jun 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore.

No log is available so no map can be displayed. (11)

23 Jun 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Singapore. (11)

24 Jun 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Singapore for Colombo. She was to proceed to Alexandria, Egypt to join the Mediterranean Fleet.

As no logs are available for June/July 1940 no map can be displayed. (11)

30 Jun 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Colombo. She had defects to her rudder which will have to be repaired first before she could proceed towards the Mediterranean. (11)

15 Jul 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. (11)

24 Jul 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Aden. (11)

26 Jul 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Aden for Suez. (11)

31 Jul 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Suez. (11)

1 Aug 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) transited the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said. (11)

3 Aug 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (11)

14 Aug 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Alexandria for her 6th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea and later in the Otranto Strait.

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

HMS Perseus 6th war patrol click here for bigger map (12)

26 Aug 1940
At 1333 hours (zone -3) HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) fires four torpedoes against the Italian cargo/passenger vessel Filippo Grimani (3431 GRT, built 1928) off Durazzo, Albania. All torpedoes missed their target.

The attack must have been observed as aircraft and destroyers patrolled the area all afternoon.

According to Italian sources Filippo Grimani had sailed from Brindisi for Durazzo when at 1257 hours she reported a submarine in 41°13'N, 18°55'E (about 30 miles from Durazzo) and sent an SOS and at 1353 hours she made another signal that three torpedo tracks had been seen. Following this alert, the postal vessel Narenta which had sailed alone from Brindisi was ordered back, she later sailed again escorted by a torpedo boat. At the same time the Italian destroyer and the Italian torpedo boats Angelo Bassini, Palestro and Solferino and aircraft were vectored on the area where Grimani had been attacked. They hunted the submarine without success. (12)

6 Sep 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (12)

16 Sep 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was docked at Alexandria. (13)

18 Sep 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was undocked. (13)

20 Sep 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was docked again at Alexandria for some rudder problems again. She was undocked after a few hours. (13)

24 Sep 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta where she was to refit. Originally she was to proceed to the U.K. for refit but as British yards were crowded with ships that needed repairs/refit she was sent to Malta instead.

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

HMS Perseus passage Alexandria - Malta click here for bigger map (13)

2 Oct 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Malta. (14)

7 Oct 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) commenced her refit at Malta. (14)

17 Oct 1940
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was docked at Malta and continued her refit.

No logs are available for November 1940 - April 1941 so the progress of her refit is unknown to us at the moment. (14)

4 May 1941
With her refit at Malta completed HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Port Said for repairs to her battery.

The date she left Malta (somewhere in late April 1941, most likely the 27th or 28th) is unknown to us for the moment. (15)

17 May 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. (15)

18 May 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (15)

19 May 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Alexandria for her 7th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Southern Aegean.

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

HMS Perseus 7th war patrol click here for bigger map (12)

25 May 1941
At 0615 hours (zone -3) HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was grounded off Anti Milos, Greece. No damage was inflicted to the submarine. (12)

28 May 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel with torpedoes North of Milos, Greece. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -3)
1825 hours - Sighted smoke to the Northward. This soon proved to be a small warship. Started attack on her but soon switched target when a merchant ship of about 4000 tons she was escorting was spotted. Later three MAS boats were also seen escorting the merchant vessel.

1910 hours - In position 36°58'N, 24°16'E fired three torpedoes from 3000 yards. The first torpedo however had a misfire and did not left the tube. No hits were obtained. The MAS boats remained in the area hunting Perseus for 90 minutes. They did not drop any depth charges though despite patrolling very close by. Perseus cleared the area after the MAS boats had left the scene.

According to Italian sources The target was possibly the German merchant vessel Cordelia (1357 GRT, built 1921) which had sailed on that day from Piraeus for Crete (but turned back the following day), the small warship was probably the Italian minesweeper RD 17 which had sailed from Piraeus at 0950/28, the three MAS boats were probably MAS 534, MAS 538 and MAS 539 which had sailed from Piraeus for Suda at 1420/28 and may have been joined up for temporary escort duties. (12)

5 Jun 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (12)

19 Jun 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Alexandria for her 8th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.

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

HMS Perseus 8th war patrol click here for bigger map (12)

20 Jun 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) developed engine trouble. She returned to Alexandria. (12)

21 Jun 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived back at Alexandria for repairs to her Starboard exhaust. (12)

22 Jun 1941
After repairs HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Alexandria to resume her 8th war patrol. (12)

10 Jul 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her (uneventful) 8th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (12)

20 Jul 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Alexandria for her 9th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform operation ME 2 together with HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN). The submarine were to carry out a W/T diversion when off the South-West coast of Crete.

Upon completion of this operation Perseus was to return to Alexandria after a short patrol along the North coast of Crete.

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

HMS Perseus 9th war patrol click here for bigger map (12)

29 Jul 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (12)

11 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (16)

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). (16)

15 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked at Alexandria. (16)

17 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was undocked. (16)

19 Aug 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked again at Alexandria. (16)

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 (12)

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
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. (12)

9 Sep 1941
HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (12)

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. (12)

2 Oct 1941
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. (12)

3 Oct 1941
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. (12)

4 Oct 1941
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. (12)

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. (11)

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. (11)

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. (12)

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. (12)

1 Dec 1941
During this day, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) three times established SST communication with HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, DSO, RN). (17)

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.

25 Dec 1997
On Christmas day 1997 a Greek research team lead by Kostas Thoctarides obtained a promising sonar echo that appeared to be the wreck of a large British submarine.

Early the next day Kostas made a dive to find the wreck of HMS Perseus upright in 52 meters of water. The submarine had damage to her bow where the mine had hit.

Kostas Thoctarides is also the owner of a diving school in Lavrio, Greece. You can find their website here.

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