| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | V |
| Pennant | P 86 |
| Built by | Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) |
| Ordered | 21 May 1942 |
| Laid down | 30 Jul 1943 |
| Launched | 20 Jul 1944 |
| Commissioned | 16 Oct 1944 |
| End service | 23 Apr 1945 |
| History | HMS Vengeful was lent to the Greek Navy on 23 April 1945 until 1957. Scrapped at Gateshead on 22 March 1958. |
| Career notes | To Greece as Delphin |
Commands listed for HMS Vengeful (P 86)
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.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Lt. Anthony Stuart Melville-Ross, DSC, RN | 17 Jul 1944 | 23 Apr 1945 |
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Notable events involving Vengeful include:
The history of HMS Vengeful as compiled on this page is extracted from the logbooks of this submarine.
This page was last updated in April 2019.
15 Oct 1944
Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) departed Barrow for Holy Loch. (1)
16 Oct 1944
Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. She then ran acceptance trials in the area following which she retuned to Holy Loch where she was commissioned. (1)
19 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)
20 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)
21 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)
23 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted D/F trials in the Clyde area. (1)
24 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (1)
25 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted log calibration trials in Loch Long. (1)
26 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted RD/F exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (1)
27 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted RD/F exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). Upon completion of these exercises HMS Vengeful proceeded to Holy Loch. (1)
28 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. These included night exercises. (1)
29 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. HMS Vengeful returned to Holy Loch on completion of these exercises. (1)
31 Oct 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. These included night exercises. (1)
1 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. HMS Vengeful returned to Holy Loch on completion of these exercises. (2)
3 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (2)
4 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)
5 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these she returned to Holy Loch. (2)
9 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the targets. These included night exercises. (2)
10 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (2)
11 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)
12 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (2)
14 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (2)
16 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Brodick Bay where she anchored for the night. (2)
17 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) departed Brodick Bay for Scapa Flow. She joined HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSO, DSC, RN) for the passage north through the Minches. They were escorted by HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (2)
19 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (2)
20 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN) and HMS Cassandra (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN). (2)
21 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Volage (Cdr. L.G. Durlacher, OBE, RN) and HMS Oribi (Lt. D.M. Vaughan-Hughes, RN) (2)
22 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Hanson, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN), HNoMs Karmøy and HMS Hazel (T/Lt. J.D. Daniel, RNVR). (2)
23 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Caesar (Capt. G.N. Brewer, DSO, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. The Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMS Bardsey (T/Lt. H. Fritzen, RNR) and HNoMS Horten. (2)
24 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Blencathra (Lt. P.G.C. Dickens, MBE, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Hanson, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Mendip (Lt. P.D. Davey, RN). (2)
25 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN). (2)
26 Nov 1944
At 2005A/26, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) made rendezvous in position 59°05'N, 01°28'W with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). Course was then set for Holy Loch.
Around 0120A/27, off Scapa Flow, HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN), joined company. (3)
27 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. At see she joined HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) and her escort HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (2)
29 Nov 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (2)
1 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Larne. (4)
2 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted night A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS Kokanee (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Marshall, RCNVR), HMCS St. Thomas (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.P. Denny, RCNR) and HMCS Rivière du Loup (T/Lt. R.N. Smillie, RCNVR). (4)
3 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (4)
4 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Garlies (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.M.M. Stamp, RNVR) and HMS Gore (Lt. J.V. Reeves-Brown, DSC, RN). (4)
6 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (4)
7 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 6th Escort Group. (4)
8 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS Grou (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Dupont, RCNR) and HMCS Annan (T/A/Lt.Cdr C.P. Balfry, RCNR). (4)
9 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS Grou (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Dupont, RCNR), HMCS Annan (T/A/Lt.Cdr C.P. Balfry, RCNR), HMS Byard (A/Lt.Cdr. J.I. Jones, DSO, DSC, RNR), HMS Calder (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Drury (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Parker, RN). (4)
10 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Bentinck (Cdr. R.C.S. Garwood, RN) and HMS Pasley (Lt. P.G.R. Mitchell, RN). (4)
12 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS St. Stephen (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Petersen, RCNR) and HMCS Hespeler (T/Lt. G.P. Manning, RCNVR). (4)
15 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Keats (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.F. Israel, DSC, RNR) and HMS Grindall (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D. Turquand-Young, RNVR). (4)
17 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS Arnprior (T/Lt. S.D. Thom, DSC, RCNVR), HMCS Frontenac (T/Lt. M.C. Bull, RCNVR) and HMCS Orangeville (Lt. F.R. Pike, RCNVR). (4)
18 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Louis (A/Lt.Cdr. R. Johnston, RNR), HMS Inglis (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.P. Cobbold, RNVR), HMCS Hallowell (T/A/Lt.Cdr. Richard Heany Angus, RCNVR), HMCS Royal Mount (T/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Davis, RCNVR) and HMCS Chambly (T/Lt. S.D. Taylor, RCNR). (4)
19 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS Lauzon (T/Lt.Cdr. W. Woods, OBE, RCNR), HMS Narborough (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Muttram, DSC, RN), HMS Loch Eck (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Freaker, DSO and Bar, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Braithwaite (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Stoner, RN). (4)
21 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 9th Escort Group and later with HMS Hesperus (Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR) and HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN). (4)
22 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Loch Insh (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR) and HMS Antigua (A/Lt.Cdr. E.L. Donkin, RNR). (4)
24 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (4)
26 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (4)
28 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Peacock (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, DSO, RD, RNR). (4)
30 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the target. (4)
15 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (5)
17 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) is undocked. (5)
23 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Tobermory. She anchored in Brodick Bay for the night. (5)
24 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) and HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) departed Brodick Bay for Tobermory. Escort was provided by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).
HMS Vengeful and HMS Stubborn arrived at Tobermory later the same day. (6)
25 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) and HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Loch Alsh. They were escorted by HMS Philante (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN). (6)
27 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Loch Alsh with ships from the 15th Escort Group. (5)
28 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMCS Lauzon (T/Lt.Cdr. W. Woods, OBE, RCNR) and HMS Inglis (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.P. Cobbold, RNVR). (5)
29 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Loch Alsh with ships from the 31st Escort Group. (5)
1 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMS Celandine (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.C. Hayes, RNVR) and HMS Barbados (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.G. Donald, RNVR). (7)
2 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Loch Alsh with ships from the 23rd Escort Group. (7)
3 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Loch Alsh with ships from the 23rd Escort Group. (7)
6 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMCS Monnow (Cdr. E.G. Skinner, DSO, RCNR), HMCS Nene (T/Lt.Cdr. E.R. Shaw, RCNR) and HMCS Loch Alvie (T/Lt.Cdr. E.G. Old, RCNR). (7)
8 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMCS Strathadam (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.L. Quinn, DSC, RCNVR) and HMCS Thedford Mines (T/Lt. J.A.R. Allan, DSC, RCNVR). (7)
9 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Loch Alsh with ships from the 9th Escort Group. (7)
12 Feb 1945
HMS Urtica (Lt. R.C. Bucknall, RN) and HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) both conducted attack exercises with each other off Tobermory. (8)
17 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMS Peacock (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, DSO, RD, RNR) and HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. G.O. Symonds, DSC, RN). (7)
19 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Loch Alsh with ships from the 6th Escort Group. (7)
22 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Loch Alsh with ships from the 22nd Escort Group. (7)
25 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Loch Alsh with ships from the 4th Escort Group. (7)
27 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMS Loch Quoich (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, DSC, RN) and HMS Loch Katrine (Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, DSO, RN). (7)
28 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with ships from the 24th and 18th Escort Groups and HMS Caesar (Capt. G.N. Brewer, DSO, RN) and HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN). (7)
1 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with ships from the 18th Escort Group and HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN). (9)
2 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMS Loch Quoich (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, DSC, RN) and HMS Loch Katrine (Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, DSO, RN). (9)
3 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) shifted from Loch Alsh to Tobermory. (9)
4 Mar 1945
HMS Urtica (Lt. R.C. Bucknall, RN), HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) and HMS Virulent (Lt. S.J. Fovargue, RN) departed Tobermory for Rothesay. They were escorted by HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) G.G. Slade, RN). (10)
6 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Holy Loch. She returned to Rothesay later the same day. (9)
22 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Gibraltar. She was escorted by HMCS Fredericton (T/Lt. J.C. Smyth, RCNR) until 0700/23 when Vengeful joined convoy OS 118 / KMS 92.
For the daily positions of HMS Vengeful during the passage from Rothesay to Piraeus see the map below.
(9)
30 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (9)
2 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Enchantress (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Clemence, RNR). (11)
4 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Bellwort (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.V. Banks, RNVR) and aircraft. (11)
5 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kilmarnock (T/Lt. I.H. Bargrave-Deane, RNVR) and aircraft. (11)
6 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises with aircraft off Gibraltar. Upon completion of these exercises course was set for Malta. (11)
10 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (11)
18 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Piraeus. (11)
20 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) arrived at Piraeus. (11)
23 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) was decommissioned at Piraeus following which she was commissioned by the Royal Hellenic Navy as Delphin. (11)
Sources
- ADM 173/19363
- ADM 173/19364
- ADM 173/19041 + ADM 199/1868
- ADM 173/19365
- ADM 173/20256
- ADM 173/19753 + ADM 173/20256
- ADM 173/20257
- ADM 173/20208
- ADM 173/20258
- ADM 173/20209
- ADM 173/20259
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.