Confirmation that the Malta wreck is HMS Urge

[Platon Alexiades]

Hello,

Last week, divers led by Professor Timmy Gambin of the University of Malta carefully examined the wreck found in 2019 and identified it positively as HMS Urge. They took videos and photos and obtained details missed during the ROV inspection of 2019. A 3-D image will be produced in time. At the time of discovery, there was little doubt that this was HMS Urge as no other 'U' class submarine was known to have been lost in the North East Searched Channel that she used on her final voyage.

https://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/excl...- ... d-harbour/

The name can clearly be seen on the port side of the conning tower. In 2019, the ROV had only examined the starboard side which had deteriorated with time and where the letters were hardly visible.

Some doubters had even expressed the opinion that the wreck was that of HMS Pandora although there are notable differences in size and features between the two submarine classes! They were pushing the theory that her wreck was found at Ras Hilal (Libya) when anyone with some knowledge of documents of the period could easily dismiss this story. The Ras Hilal wreck was known to be that of U-205. She foundered after capture in 1943.

HMS Urge was lost shortly after she sailed from Malta for Alexandria on 27 April 1942. She fell victim to a mine laid by the German 3rd Schnellbootflottille (MTBs) on 20 April 1942 (minefield MT 13). There were no survivors.

Platon

[jan-olof]

Hello Platon,

thanks for the information update. Another mystery solved at last.

btw, how's you work on the Betasom submarines progressing?

Best regards,

Jan-Olof

[Platon Alexiades]

Hello Jan-Olof,

My work is not limited to the BETASOM submarines but encompass all Italian submarines of WW2. The publication is presently delayed by circumstances beyond my control. I am hopeful these will be soon solved. Thank you for your interest.

Best regards,

Platon

[Siri]

Platon, I’d love to read about this, but the link goes to a 404 page; am I the only one?

[Platon Alexiades]

Hi Siri,

Does this work better for you?

https://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/exclusiv ... d-harbour/

If it does not work, it is possible because their web page is updated every day with other news. I will try to find out if I can get the original page.

Best regards,

Platon

[Darius]

Thank you Platon.


Regards

Darius

[Siri]

That works - thanks so much! I realized later, I could probably have just googled it too, and saved you the trouble. I just wasn’t thinking.

[Platon Alexiades]

The Malta Times has also published an article today:

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ ... 942.870478

I have attached a 3D image of the wreck. The resolution is not great but I expect the University of Malta will release better ones in the near future.

Also a picture of the letters on the conning tower.

Thanks.

Platon

[Urs Heßling]

hi,

some additional info shown on Forum Marinearchiv: the war diary and the track chart of 3. S-Flottille

https://www.forum-marinearchiv.de/smf/i ... n.html#new

the minelaying took place on the south-westerly course between 02:17 and 02:34 hrs

greetings, Urs