What happened to the submarine Surcouf?

Surcouf was the largest French cruiser submarine. She served in both the French Navy and the Free French Naval Forces during the Second World War. She was lost during the night of 18/19 February 1942 in the Caribbean Sea, possibly after colliding with an American freighter.

Who Sank the Surcouf?

After leaving on the 12th of February for the Panama Canal, communications suddenly ceased. One theory is that she was sunk on the 18th of February 1942 after being ridden over by the American ship Thompson Lykes, which reported hitting and running down a partially submerged object.

What is the largest submarine?

Typhoon-class submarine
Submarine/Biggest
The worlds largest submarines are the Russian 941 Akula (designated ‘Typhoon’ by NATO) class. The launch of the first at the secret covered shipyard at Severodvinsk in the White Sea was announced by NATO on 23 Sep 1980.

Was the USS Thresher ever recovered?

The Thresher never surfaced, and the Navy later found the sub in six pieces on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. All 129 personnel on board, including 112 crew members and 17 civilian contractors, were killed.

How did Surcouf sink?

A convincing case can be made that Surcouf was lost after a collision at sea with the U.S. merchant freighter Thompson Lykes on the night of February 18.

Was the USS Scorpion ever found?

On July 26, 1968, the court submitted its classified report and adjourned. But in late October came the stunning news that the wreckage of the submarine had been found.

When was the French destroyer Surcouf built?

Laid down in February 1951 at Lorient and launched in October 1953, Surcouf was commissioned into the French Navy in 1955. She was the first of twelve T 47-class destroyers.

What was the name of the French destroyer?

Surcouf in 1970, a few months before her accident. The forward 57 mm turret and the aft torpedo launchers had made way for an enlarged bridge and staff housing quarters when she was transformed into a flotilla leader ship. Surcouf was a T 47-class destroyer of the French Navy.

Who was the commanding officer of the French submarine Surcouf?

By August 1940, the British completed Surcouf ‘ s refit and turned her over to the Free French Navy ( Forces Navales Françaises Libres, FNFL) for convoy patrol. The only officer not repatriated from the original crew, Capitaine de frégate (Commander) Georges Louis Blaison, became the new commanding officer.

What did Surcouf do in the Battle of Bab el Oued?

In March 1962, during the Battle of Bab El Oued, Surcouf was sent to shell the OAS -held Bab el-Oued quarter of Algiers along with her sister ship Maillé-Brézé. After suggestions from the naval command, the bombardment was called off as impractical. The destroyers kept their station close to the shore as a deterrent.