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HMS Trooper, circa 1943
The RN T-class submarine HMS Trooper (N91), under the command of Lt. John Somerton Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN, disappeared in the Aegean Sea with all 64 hands aboard around 6-9 October 1943 while on her 8th War Patrol.
While theories and claims of what may have happened to her included a run-in with a German Q-ship, last week it was announced that a Greek search team, led by Kostas Thoctarides, had located the wreck of the smashed submarine in 253 meters of water to the north of Donoussa Island.
The submarine was found to be broken in three sections in the position of one of the five known minefields (287 magnetic mines in total), which was laid on 26 September 1943 in this area by the German auxiliary minelayer Drache.
It appears Trooper was running on the surface when the mine detonated because the forward hydroplanes were found in their stowed position and several hatches were open.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
And so we remember.
In Waters Deep– Eileen Mahoney
In ocean wastes no poppies blow,
No crosses stand in ordered row,
There young hearts sleep… beneath the wave…
The spirited, the good, the brave,
But stars a constant vigil keep,
For them who lie beneath the deep.
‘Tis true you cannot kneel in prayer
On certain spot and think. “He’s there.”
But you can to the ocean go…
See whitecaps marching row on row;
Know one for him will always ride…
In and out… with every tide.
And when your span of life is passed,
He’ll meet you at the “Captain’s Mast.”
And they who mourn on distant shore
For sailors who’ll come home no more,
Can dry their tears and pray for these
Who rest beneath the heaving seas…
For stars that shine and winds that blow
And whitecaps marching row on row.
And they can never lonely be
For when they lived… they chose the sea.