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Notable events involving Tapir include:

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

This page was last updated in November 2018.

28 Dec 1944
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (1)

29 Dec 1944
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (1)

30 Dec 1944
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted full speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (1)

1 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

2 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

3 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

5 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (2)

6 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (2)

7 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

8 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

9 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

10 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

11 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

12 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

12 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at/off Scapa Flow. (3)

13 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

14 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

14 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow. (3)

15 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

16 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

17 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

18 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

19 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

20 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

21 Jan 1945
Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (2)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (2)

25 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) left dock. (2)

27 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as target. (2)

28 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

29 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (2)

31 Jan 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

2 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (3)

4 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (3)

5 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (3)

6 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft from HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN). (3)

7 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as target. These included night exercises. (3)

8 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage north through the Minches together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) and the French submarine Morse (Lt. O. Chauveau). They were escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (4)

9 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (4)

15 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with destroyers. (3)

17 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Scapa Flow during which they served as targets for each other. (3)

19 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow. (3)

20 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Scapa Flow during which they served as targets for each other. (3)

21 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch via Loch Cairnbawn. They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (3)

23 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (3)

25 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. (3)

26 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. These included night exercises. (3)

27 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of last nights exercises. HMS Tapir proceeded from Holy Loch to Rothesay later on the same day. (3)

28 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). The target during these exercises was HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. H.R.A. Kidston, RN). (3)

28 Feb 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). The target during these exercises was HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. H.R.A. Kidston, RN). (3)

2 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. (5)

3 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) both conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (5)

4 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) both conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (5)

5 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Loch Alsh. (5)

7 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with two frigates. (5)

9 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night attack exercises off Loch Alsh. (5)

12 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night attack exercises off Loch Alsh. (5)

14 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Loch Alsh. (5)

15 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) both departed Loch Alsh for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR).

They anchored in Rothesay Bay later the same day. (5)

16 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) both shifted from Rothesay to Holy Loch still escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (5)

17 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted log calibrating trials in Loch Long. (5)

18 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (5)

20 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area and also performed a deep dive trial. Night exercises during the night of 20/21 March then followed. (5)

21 Mar 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her night exercises. (5)

1 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Lerwick. Passage to Lerwick was made together with HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, RN) and HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN). For part of the way HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) was also present. They were escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (6)

4 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (6)

5 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol off the Norwegian West coast, just North of Bergen.

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

(7)

6 Apr 1945
At 2200 hours (time zone -2) sights were taken aboard HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN). Turpin was to be on patrol to the South of Tapir. It has not been possible to take sights for several days due to fog. Turpin was found to be badly out of place. She is more than 20 nautical miles to the North of where she was supposed to patrol.

Shortly afterwards contact was made with HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) in which patrol area Turpin now actually was.

Turpin then proceeded to her own patrol area of the Kors Fjord. (7)

12 Apr 1945
German U-boat U-486 was sunk in the North Sea north-west of Bergen, Norway, in position 60°44'N, 04°40'E by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN).

(All times are zone -2)
0730 hours - Strange HE was picked up on Asdic. This was thought to be a snorkelling u-boat.

0749 hours - A German U-boat was seen to surface in position 60°45'N, 04°40'E.

0753 hours - In position 60°44'N, 04°40'E fired 6 torpedoes (a salvo of 8 was intended) from 3200 yards. The 6th and 8th torpedo of the salvo failed to fire.

0755 hours - One hit was observed on the enemy submarine which blew up and was seen to disintegrate. A huge column of brown smoke arose to some 500 feet in the air. Breaking up noises were heard on the Asdic and after the smoke had cleared nothing more could be seen. (7)

16 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (7)

22 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, RN). They were escorted by HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). Off Scapa Flow they were joined by HMS Scorcher (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR). (6)

24 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (6)

30 Apr 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (6)

2 May 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (8)

6 May 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. This is the first leg of the trip to the Far East.

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

(8)

15 May 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She departed from for Malta after a few hours. (8)

20 May 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (8)

12 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Malta during which HMS Nelson (Capt. C. Caslon, CBE, RN) served as target. The battleship herself was also conducting exercises off Malta. (9)

13 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Malta during which the Yugoslavian corvette Nada served as target. (10)

14 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (10)

19 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Malta for Port Said. (10)

23 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Port Said. (10)

24 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Port Said, transits the Suez Canal and proceeds towards Aden. (10)

29 Jun 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Aden. (10)

2 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Aden for Trincomalee. (11)

13 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (11)

15 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) is docked at Trincomalee in AFD 26. (11)

17 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) is undocked. (11)

19 Jul 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle. (11)

1 Aug 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia. (12)

8 Aug 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (12)

9 Aug 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) is put back in the water. (12)

24 Aug 1945
During 24/25 August 1945, HMS Taurus (A/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) and HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (13)

28 Aug 1945
HMS Taurus (A/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) and HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle on completion of which they carried out attack exercises during which HMS Caesar (Capt. G.N. Brewer, DSO, RN) and HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN). (13)

5 Sep 1945
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Fremantle to visit Portland. The ship will be open to visitors during this goodwill tour. (14)

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