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This website is brought to you in association with the Barrow-in-Furness Branch of the Submariners Association and is the premier UK internet resource for Submariners and anyone interested in Royal Navy Submarines.

Vickers and Barrow are names synonymous with the development of the submarine. Hundreds of submarines covering virtually every class have been built for the Royal Navy and foreign Navies. This site is dedicated to not only to those who have served on Her Majesty's Submarines but also to those employees past and present whose skills and efforts have given pride to the phrase 'Barrow built' and made the name Vickers known and respected throughout the world.

On This Day - December 5

1912E4Launched
1921C14Sold for scrap.
1939O23 (Dutch)Launched
1940Sunfish (N81)HMS Sunfish torpedoes and sinks the Finnish merchant Oscar Midling in Sildegapet, Norway.
1941Sealion (N72)HMS Sealion torpedoes and sinks the Norwegian merchant Island north of Mehavn, Norway.
1944Sturdy (P248)HMS Sturdy sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire in Makassar Strait.
1944Shalimar (P242)HMS Shalimar sinks three Japanese sailing vessels with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca.
1956Rorqual (N74)Launched
1967Conqueror (S48)Laid Down
2018Valiant (S127)During the opening of a new skills centre at Barrow shipyard, the Defence Secretary unveiled the name of the second Dreadnought class submarine, "Valiant".

He said: "HMS Valiant is a great name, for our ships and submarines have been valiant for 200 years. We are dedicated to making sure our deterrent is the best and strongest in the world."

The name 'Valiant' comes from the Valiant class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines in service with the Royal Navy from the mid-1960s until 1994. The original Valiant submarine was built and commissioned at the Barrow shipyard and launched in December 1963.
Lastest Comments
14.11.23 on page P222
Grace Absolom (Bill Absolom (son of Richard Willia wrote:
    I am writing this for my father Bill Absolom, who is the Son of Richard William Absolom, Leading Telegraphist on the P222. Bill was very touched by Claudio Perazzini's comment. Thank you for posting. Hearing the story of the Fortunale sailors saluting and praying for the P222 crew was special to...
 
15.10.23 on page HM Submarine A5 (Forgotten Submariners)
Paddy Reynolds wrote:
    My great uncle John Tucker (DofB Dec 3 1885 Birkenhead) His navy record says, "Approve advance to a higher rating provide inspec capt. of submarines considers him fit in recognition of services rendered at considerable personal risk by which several of the crew of A5 submarine were saved from death....
 
15.04.23 on page 1954 - 1958: Stickleback Class
David Marshall wrote:
    The HMS Stickleback and Minow were named alongside HMS Maidstone in the 1950s. I was a Shipwright Tiffy aboard Maidstone at the time. The CO of the Stickleback came from Totland, Isle of Wight, and he took me to his sub in Portland and I went on board. I am now 90 years of age and remember it well....
 
16.03.23 on page Regulus (N88)
Ken Usher wrote:
    Ernest Smith, LS, on HMS Regulus, was my great uncle (who I never knew as I was born in 1961), but heard some great dits about him from my late dad. I was always told that she was sunk, but it seems that she struck a mine. Would be interested in finding out more about the ship, if possible. Also hav...
 
01.03.23 on page Melvyn Whymark's Memories Of HMS Valiant
read john wrote:
    As in the case of Malcolm my boat Warspite was constantly at sea, usually around the North Cape and was indeed involved in the Black Iceberg incident in 68, I like Malcolm was a volunteer and thoroughly enjoyed the time spent on this great boat and feel very privileged to have served under Cmdr John...