HMS Sidon

HMS Sidon was a submarine of the Royal Navy, named after the naval Battle of Sidon in 1840. She was a member of the third group of the S class, and was built by Cammell Laird and launched in September 1944. Sidon is best known for the onboard explosion in 1955 that resulted in her sinking.

Design and Construction

The S class was a class of 62 submarines built during the Second World War. The third group was slightly enlarged and improved over the preceding second group of the S class. The submarines had a length of 217 feet (66 m) overall, a beam of 23 feet 9 inches (7.2 m) and a draft of 14 feet 8 inches (4.5 m). They displaced 842 tons on the surface and 990 tons submerged. The S-class submarines had a crew of 48 officers and ratings. They had a diving depth of 300 feet (91 m).

Service History

HMS Sidon was commissioned into the Royal Navy in September 1944. She served in the Far East during the final year of the Second World War, where she sank several Japanese vessels. After the war, Sidon returned to the UK and was refitted. She was then assigned to the 4th Submarine Squadron, based at HMNB Clyde.

1955 Explosion

On 16 June 1955, while docked at Portland Harbour, an experimental torpedo known as Fancy exploded in the forward torpedo compartment, causing the submarine to sink. Thirteen crew members were killed in the incident. The submarine was raised and subsequently scuttled off the coast of Portland Bill.

Legacy

The sinking of HMS Sidon was a significant event in the history of the Royal Navy. It led to changes in safety procedures and the eventual withdrawal of the Fancy torpedo. The incident is commemorated by a plaque at the Submarine Museum in Gosport.