*British, WW2, HM Submarine Unruffled – Original Photograph*
Original Photograph of WW2 Submarine Unruffled. This photograph originally formed part of the Lou Britton British Submarine Collection, which was acquired by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport in 2007.
Approximate Dimensions: 25.3cm x 17.3cm.
HMS Unruffled was a Royal Navy U-class submarine, built by Vickers-Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness, and in service from April 1942 until her scrapping in January 1946. She was the only Royal Navy vessel to bear the name.
Mediterranean Operations (1942–1943)
From August 1942 to October 1943, Unruffled played a critical role in the Battle of the Mediterranean, targeting Axis shipping and conducting covert missions. She sank or severely damaged approximately 40,000 tons of enemy shipping and was instrumental in damaging the Italian cruiser Attilio Regolo. She also provided support during Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily.
Initially designated P46, she began her wartime service with an uneventful patrol off Norway before transferring to Gibraltar in June 1942. Her first significant action was during Operation Pedestal in August 1942, escorting vital supply convoys to Malta. Her first confirmed kills occurred in September, when she sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper Aquila and the Vichy French merchant ship Liberia. The following day, she destroyed the Italian merchant Leonardo Palomba. Over the next months, Unruffled continued her attacks, sinking multiple Italian ships, including Una, Loreto, Castelverde, and Sant'Antioco. Unbeknownst to her crew, Loreto had been transporting British Indian Army prisoners of war, resulting in 130 deaths. During Operation Torch in November 1942, Unruffled patrolled for enemy warships and successfully torpedoed the Italian cruiser Attilio Regolo, forcing her out of action for the rest of the war. In December, she cooperated with HMS Sahib in a joint attack, sinking the Italian tanker Castelverde and merchant vessel Sant’Antioco. Her successes continued into 1943. In January, she intercepted and sank the German merchant Lisboa and the Italian auxiliary vessel Redentore. By February, she had been officially named Unruffled, a title deemed fitting for her commanding officer, Lieutenant John Samuel Stevens. In June, she torpedoed the French tanker Henri Desprez, operating under German control. She later sank the troopship Città di Catania and, in August, the Italian merchant Città di Spezia.
Covert Missions & Final Combat Patrols
Beyond offensive actions, Unruffled also took part in covert operations, including reconnaissance patrols for Operation Husky and delivering Allied agents during Operation Seaman in August 1943. Her final Mediterranean patrol in September–October 1943 ended with an attack on a German vessel, possibly the Pommern, which German sources attribute to a sea mine.
Return to Britain & Post-War Fate
After departing Algiers in October 1943, Unruffled returned to Britain, making a stop in Gibraltar where the crew’s beloved ship’s cat, Timoshenko, was accidentally left behind. Following a refit at Tilbury, she was reassigned for training and exercises in Bermuda, marking the end of her combat role. She was scrapped in Troon, Scotland, in January 1946. Funded by a War Savings Campaign in Colchester, Unruffled maintained a strong bond with the town. A commemorative plaque was awarded in 1942, bearing the motto "Burdened but Unruffled." This plaque was lost for years but rediscovered and restored to Colchester Town Hall in 2012.
Confirmed Sinkings
Throughout her wartime career, Unruffled accounted for at least 15 enemy vessels, including:
Liberia (3,890 GRT) – Vichy France merchant ship
Leonardo Palomba (1,110 GRT) – Italian merchant ship
Loreto (1,395 GRT) – Italian cargo ship carrying POWs
Castelverde (6,958 GRT) – Italian transport
Sant'Antioco (4,944 GRT) – Italian merchant ship
Lisboa (1,799 GRT) – German merchant vessel
Baalbek (2,115 GRT) – German merchant vessel
Città di Catania (3,335 GRT) – Italian troopship
Città di Spezia (2,474 GRT) – Italian merchant vessel
HMS Unruffled's aggressive and successful operations in the Mediterranean played a significant role in disrupting Axis supply lines, making her one of the most effective U-class submarines of the war.
*Condition*
Excellent used condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMAOXAH_5838195183
