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  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

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04 February 2012
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Noteable events involving Tribune include:

The page for this submarine is currently (January 2012 and onwards) being updated.

17 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs her builders yard for Portsmouth. She is escorted by HMS Shikari (Cdr. J.H. Lewis, RN).

19 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) arrives at Portsmouth for a period of exercises.

31 Oct 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Portsmouth for Portland. Tribune is escorted by HMS Malcolm (Capt. T.E. Halsey, RN). Both ships arrive at Portland after a few hours. At Portland Tribune is to conduct torpedo trials.

4 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Portland for Portsmouth. She is escorted by HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, RN).

12 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Portsmouth for Portland. Tribune is escorted by HMS Warrior II. Both ships arrive at Portland after a few hours. At Portland Tribune is to conduct experimental torpedo trials.

21 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Portland for Portsmouth. She arrives at Portsmouth after a few hours.

27 Nov 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Portsmouth for her 1st war patrol. This is a short patrol in the North Sea. Tribune is escorted to the North Goodwin light vessel by HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN). From there HMS Leda (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Courthope-Munroe, RN) will take over.

2 Dec 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) ends her 1st war patrol at Rosyth.

4 Dec 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Rosyth for her 2nd war patrol. She is to patrol off the South coast of Norway.

20 Dec 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) ends her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth.

21 Dec 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is docked at Rosyth.

26 Dec 1939
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is undocked.

5 Jan 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Rosyth for her 3rd war patrol. She is to patrol off the South coast of Norway and in the Kattegat.

13 Jan 1940
At 1900 hours HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) crossed two torpedo tracks in position 57º58'N, 10º15'E. Tribune dived but nothing further was heard or seen.

No German submarine was in the area and the 'attack' was most likely bogus. (see map)

17 Jan 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) fires 6 torpedoes against ' what is identified as ' an enemy submarine in the Skagerrak about 15 nautical miles east-north-east of Skagen, Denmark in position 57º50'N, 11º00'E. No German submarine was in the area.

0243 hours - Sighted a darkened object on the port bow. Altered course towards.

0246 hours - The object was identified as a submarine at a range of 2000 to 2500 yards.

0248 hours - The Asdic operator reported HE right ahead.

0250 hours - Fired 6 torpedoes from the interal bow tubes. The tracks were seen to run towards the target but no explosions followed.

0255 hours - Fired 2 torpedoes from the external bow tubes.

0256 hours - Dived. When diving Lt.Cdr. Davies felt a heavy shudder while he was in the conning tower. He thought this was a torpedo explosion. This was not felt in the control room.

No German submarine was in this area and it is not clear what Tribune attacked.

Lt.Cdr. Davies was very ill at the time of the attack. The 1st lieutenant (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) took over from him around noon this day. Upon returning from patrol Lt.Cdr. Davies spent some time in hospital. (see map)

20 Jan 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN, temporarily in command as Lt.Cdr. Davies was sick) ends her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth.

Tribune has developed serious engine problems during this patrol.

Repairs were carried out followed by trials, more repairs and more trials. By mid-March it was decided that Tribune was to proceed to her builders yard to correct these defects.

12 Mar 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is docked at Rosyth.

13 Mar 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) is undocked.

24 Mar 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Rosyth for Scapa Flow, she is escorted by HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN).

25 Mar 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) arrives at Scapa Flow.

28 Mar 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departs Scapa Flow for Greenock. She is escorted by HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN).

30 Mar 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) arrives at Greenock for repairs to her engines by her builder.

10 May 1940
Upon completion of the repairs to her engine clutches HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs her builders yard at Greenock for trials.

12 May 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Greenock for her 4th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

28 May 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ends her 4th war patrol at Rosyth.

10 Jun 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Rosyth for her 5th war patrol at Rosyth. She is ordered to patrol off the West coast of Norway.

22 Jun 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) makes a torpedo attack on an enemy merchant of about 7000 GRT off Standlandet, Norway. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

(All times are zone -1)
0136 hours - Dived on sighted a ship, position 61º44'N, 04º29'E. The ship was later seen to be a merchant ship of about 7000 to 8000 tons.

0203 hours - Fired four torpedoes, no hits were obtained.

0208 hours - Surfaced to chase and attack with the deck gun but the contact was soon lost in a rain squall. The chase was abandoned after almost half an hour. (see map)

25 Jun 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ends her 5th war patrol at Rosyth.

4 Jul 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Rosyth for her 6th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the West coast of Norway near Bergen.

10 Jul 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ends her 6th war patrol at Rosyth.

27 Jul 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Rosyth for her 7th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the South coast of Norway.

5 Aug 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ends her 7th war patrol at Rosyth.

8 Aug 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) is docked at Rosyth.

10 Aug 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) is undocked.

23 Aug 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Rosyth for her 8th patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Atlantic to the North-West of the Hebrides.

6 Sep 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) attacks a submarine about 15 nautical miles north-east of St. Kilda, Hebrides in position 57º58'N, 08º14'W. Two torpedoes were fired but these missed their target. It leaves little doubt that the torpedoes were fired against the German submarine U-56 as this was the only submarine passing through that general area on that day. The Germans however reported no attack.

(All times are zone -1)
0600 hours - Heard loud HE bearing red 150 degrees. bearing drew rapidly ahead.

0602 hours - Contact was now ahead, range about 1400 yards. Nothing could be sighted through the periscope however. The target crossed ahead and Tribune altered course. Asdic was still in contact.

0633 hours - While Tribune was stopped at greater depth Asdic reported that it looked like that three torpedoes were fired.

0637 hours - Tribune came to 60 feet. The target was right ahead at a range of about 1000 yards.

0638 hours - The target crossed the bow at a range of about 700 yards.

0640 hours - Fired two torpedoes from a depth of 70 feet. The torpedoes were set to 44 and 38 feet. 25 Seconds after firing the first torpedo there was a violent explosion and the HE immediately ceased. The second torpedo was heard to detonate after 8 minutes at the end of its running range. Came to periscope depth but found nothing in sight.

0655 hours - Surfaced to collect evidence. Oil was seen to float on the surface and it was also though that some clothing was seen. This was not seen again after Tribune had turned.

(see map)

7 Sep 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ends her 8th war patrol at Rothesay.

16 Sep 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 9th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

20 Sep 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrives at Falmouth to repair a defect.

22 Sep 1940
After repairs HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Falmouth for her patrol area.

26 Sep 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) attacks the German submarine U-138 with 5 torpedoes about 10 nautical miles South-West of Ile de Groix in position 47º32'N, 03º38'W. All torpedoes fired missed their target. Tribune was depth charged after this attack but managed to escape.

(All times are zone -1)
1035 hours - Sighted a type 7 uboat bearing 040 degrees. Range was 3500 yards. The course of the uboat was 310 degrees. Started attack.

The uboat turned away and when the attack was set up she was stern on. A second uboat was now sighted bearing 110 degrees, range 3000 yards, course 350 degrees. Turned to attack this uboat.

1047 hours - In position 47º32'N, 03º38'W fired five torpedoes from 2700 yards. It was intended to fire six torpedoes but tube no.5 misfired. All torpedoes missed. Four end of run detonations were heard between 8 and 10 minutes after firing. These uboats were making rendez-vouz with A/S trawlers to enter Lorient. Two of these trawlers closed and started dropping depth charges but these were not close.

1200 hours - The trawlers were seen to close at high speed and dropped two depth charges fairly close. Both trawlers left the area shortly afterwards.

According to German sources the uboats were U-47 and the above mentioned U-138. It was the last one that was fired upon by Tribune. They were making rendez-vouz with the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ-122, UJ-128 and UJ-E. The KTB of U-138 mentions that one of the torpedoes ran under and another one missed just ahead. (see map)

3 Oct 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ends her 9th war patrol at Holy Loch. Tribune returned from patrol with engine problems.

7 Oct 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrives at Ardrossan for a short refit.

22 Oct 1940
Upon completion of her short refit HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Ardrossan for Holy Loch where she arrived later the same day.

29 Oct 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departs Holy Loch for a trial run in the Irish Sea.

31 Oct 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) returns to Holy Loch.

11 Nov 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrives at Glasgow for a battery refit at Barclay Curle.

26 Nov 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ends her battery refit at Glasgow and returns to Holy Loch.

3 Dec 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 10th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

16 Dec 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) attacks the German tanker Karibisches Meer (6973 GRT, built 1917) in the Bay of Biscay east of Ile de Yeu, France in position 46º46'N, 02º38'W. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

(All times are zone -1)
1015 hours - Sighted aircraft to the Northward.

1110 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 330 degrees. Shortly afterwards sighted a dazzle-painted tanker with a trawler ahead and one astern. They were steering 140 degrees. Closed to attack.

1121 hours - Fired six torpedoes from the internal bow tubes. Range was 4500 yards. No.1 tube misfired but was fired as the last torpedo of the salvo instead. All torpedoes were heard to run. After the attack the aircraft was quite close and the trawlers were closing at speed so Tribune went deep. About 30 depth charges were dropped in half an hour but Tribune manages to slip away. (see map)

19 Dec 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) attacks a German merchant of 4000 to 5000 tons in the Bay of Biscay west-south-west of Belle Ile, France in position 47º02'N, 04º14'W.

(All times are zone -1)
0953 hours - Heard HE.

0940 hours - Sighted a Mowe-class torpedo boat bearing 270 degrees. Started attack.

0945 hours - Sighted a merchant vessel of 4000 to 5000 tons. She was dazzle-painted. Bearing 270 degrees, course 080 degrees. Broke off attack on the torpedo boat and shifted to this ship. The attack was very difficult due to the effective camouflage.

1012 hours - Fired six torpedoes from the internal bow tubes from 7500 yards. One explosion followed 35 seconds after firing. This explosion put the Asdic out of order. Two more explosions followed after about 7 and 8 minutes. Tribune went deep upon firing. The torpedo boat did not counter-attack. (see map)

24 Dec 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ends her 10th war patrol at Holy Loch.

3 Jan 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) is docked at Ardrossan.

5 Jan 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) is undocked.

21 Jan 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 11th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

22 Jan 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) makes a short call at Milford Haven to repair an engine defect. She departs for her patrol area after a few hours.

10 Feb 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) ends her 11th war patrol at Holy Loch.

24 Feb 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) departs Holy Loch for Halifax, Canada.

2 Mar 1941
At 1200 hours (zone +1), while in mid-Atlantic, in position 54º10'N, 27º40'W HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) encounters a large liner of about 20000 tons bearing 240 degrees, distance 7 nautical miles, course 290 degrees. Tribune closed and challenged the liner according to her instructions. The liner hoisted some flags that were unreadable, the liner turned away and kept a range of about 5 nautical miles. She was then heard to signal a distress message, giving her identity as Orcades (23456 GRT, built 1937). Efforts to cummunicate with a lamp were ignored by Orcades but the words ' British submarine ' that were spelled out slowly and ofter finally persuaded her to cancel her distress message. (see map)

11 Mar 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) arrives at Halifax, Canada. The engines of Tribune developed problems en-route (yet again).

25 Mar 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) conducts exercises with HMCS Renard.

27 Mar 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) departs Halifax for her 12th war patrol. She joins the escort of convoy HX-117. She is to protect the convoy from attack by German surface warships.

6 Apr 1941
At 0630 hours (zone +1) HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) leaves convoy HX-117 in position 55º42'N, 32º01W.

12 Apr 1941
At 0930 hours (zone +3) HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) encounters HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) in position 40º50'N, 48º42'W. Tribune dives and makes a practice attack on the battleship. Tribune remained dived until the battleship was nearly out of sight.

13 Apr 1941
At 1205 hours (zone +4) while in the Atlantic, about 400 nautical miles South-East of Halifax, in position 40º52'N, 55º14'W HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) encounters a merchant ship bearing 350 degrees, distance 7 nautical miles, course 120 degrees. Tribune closed and challenged the merchant according to her instructions. The merchant did not answer to signals and was later heard to make a distress message giving her name as Collegian (7886 GRT, built 1923). The words ' British submarine ' were spelled out several times and after a while the Collegian drew away and Tribune resumed her original course. The signal sent by the Collegian was however not cancelled. As Lt.Cdr. Norfolk was of the opinion that the position of Tribune was well known to the authorithies concerned no signal about the encounter was made. (see map)

15 Apr 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) ends her 12th war patrol at Halifax.

30 Apr 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) conducts engine trials off Halifax after a period of repairs.

3 May 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) conducts A/S exercises with ships of the Royal Canadian Navy, HMCS Renard, HMCS St Croix (Cdr. H. Kingsley, RCN) and HMCS Wetaskiwin (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Windeyer, RCN)

7 May 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) carries out dummy attacks on HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) near Halifax, Canada.

10 May 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) departs Halifax to proceed to the U.K. She is to join convoy HX-126 for this passage.

11 May 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) joins convoy HX-126 in position 42º55'N, 59º34'E. (see map)

20 May 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) departs convoy HX-126.

24 May 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) is joined by HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr. A. Ayre, RNR). Both ships proceeds together towards the U.K.

26 May 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) arrives at Holy Loch.

6 Jun 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) departs Holy Loch for Blyth.

9 Jun 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) arrives at Blyth. Tribune was due to refit and suffered from engine problems. Due to capacity problems on British shipyards it was not possible to refit the submarine at this moment. As she was not 'fit' for further patrols, Tribune was used as training boat.

3 Jul 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) is docked at Blyth.

10 Jul 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) is undocked.

1 Oct 1941
HMS Tribune (Lt. R.P. Raikes, RN) departs Blyth for Wallsend. She is finally able to start her refit at the Swan Hunter shipyard.

14 May 1942
With her refit completed HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Wallsend and arrived at North Shields.

19 May 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs North Shields for trials. She arrived at Blyth later the same day for a period of trials and training.

13 Jun 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Blyth for Dundee.

14 Jun 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) arrives at Dundee.

23 Jun 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Dundee for Lerwick.

25 Jun 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) arrives at Lerwick. She departs for her 13th war patrol after a few hours. She is to provide cover for convoy operations to Northern Russia.

11 Jul 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) ends her 13th war patrol at Lerwick.

19 Jul 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Lerwick for Blyth.

21 Jul 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) arrives at Blyth. At Blyth she reverts to her training role. Also for several days a filming crew is on board.

26 Aug 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Blyth of Dundee.

27 Aug 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) arrives at Dundee.

31 Aug 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Dundee for Lerwick.

1 Sep 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) arrives at Lerwick.

2 Sep 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Lerwick for her 14th war patrol. She is to provide cover for convoy operations to Northern Russia.

10 Sep 1942
At 1037 hours (zone -1), in approximate position 68º31'N, 13º45'E HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) sighted the German battleship Tirpitz, heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and light cruiser Köln leaving the Gimsöströmmen and steering towards Hval Fjord. The range is about 20000 yards so there was no opportunity to attack. Tribune sent a enemy report.

Tirpitz however was not present, she was still at Narvik. Admiral Scheer was present with the other two ships. (see map)

20 Sep 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) encounters the German submarine U-403. Signals were exchancged but neither submarine was in a position to attack the other.

(All times are zone -1)
0713 hrs - Sighted conning tower ahead in position 72º00N, 17º52E. Turned towards and endeavoured to close and make a challenge. After 8 minutes several signals were exchancged. The contact was now identified as a German u-boat but it could not be attacked and was out of sight after 10 minutes. (see map)

30 Sep 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) ends her 14th war patrol at Lerwick.

31 Oct 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Holy Loch for Gibraltar.

5 Nov 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) sighted the German merchant Kulmerland (7363 GRT, built 1929) in position 44º02'N, 12º09'W. This ship was en-route from the Far East to France. Tribune was not able to attack due to the range being to great. As there were German aircraft patrolling the area it was not possible to surface and give chase. (see map)

8 Nov 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) arrives at Gibraltar.

12 Nov 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) departs Gibraltar for her 15th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). Initially she was ordered to patrol off Toulon, France but when Tribune was two days out she was ordered to patrol of Naples, Italy instead. She was routed through the Gulf of Genoa and along the East coast of Corsica to her new patrol area. Later patrol area was shifted to the Tunisia - Sicily area.

22 Nov 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) is depth charged near Isoli di Capri, while on patrol near the Southern approached to Naples, Italy.

Depth charges exploded very close and considerable damage was caused. Tribune managed to slip away and continue her patrol.

(All times are zone -1)
0403 hours - While in position 154 degrees, Campanilla light, 4 nautical miles sighted a darkened ship bearing 320 degrees. Started attack.

0410 hours - The ship disappeared against the background of Isola di Capri.

0422 hours - The ship was now thought to be a light cruiser but later events show it was most likely a large destroyer.

0426 hours - When about to fire torpedoes the ship turned towards and put up a big bow wave.

0427 hours - Dived.

0430 hours - A depth charge attack commenced. Five charges were dropped.

0437 hours - Five more depth charges were dropped, these were fairly close.

0514 hours - No HE could be heard but Asdic transmissions were heard all the time.

0540 hours - Tribune was detected by the enemy's Asdic.

0543 hours - Three depth charges were dropped.

0551 hours - Five depth charges were dropped very close. Considerable minor damage was caused. (All was repaired within 48 hours).

0605 hours - Another pattern of five depth charges was dropped. These were a bit further away.

0625 hours - Eleven depth charges were dropped much further away. Nothing further was heard.

0848 hours - Came to periscope depth. No ships in sight. A whole lot of aircraft were patrolling the area. Went deep and retired to seaward.

30 Nov 1942
Lt. Coe sent a radio signal to base that he was very sick and could not conduct an effective patrol due to his condition.

1 Dec 1942
Tribune was ordered to proceed towards the Skerki bank to patrol there if Lt. Coe was fit. Lt. Coe reported that his condition had not improved. Tribune was then ordered to return to Gibraltar.

7 Dec 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) ends her 15th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar.

13 Dec 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) is docked at Gibraltar.

16 Dec 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) is undocked.

23 Dec 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) departs Gibraltar for Algiers.

Spare commanding officer Lt. Porter had meanwhile taken over command from Lt. Coe as the medical condition of Lt. Coe rendered him unfit for patrols.

26 Dec 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) arrives at Algiers.

30 Dec 1942
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) departs Algiers for her 16th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol off Southern France and the Italian Liguarian coast. She is also to carry out a special operation (landing agents on Corsica).

2 Jan 1943
In the early morning hours HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) tries to perform reconnaissance of the landing zone where the agents had to landed. Due to the bad weather this was not possible.

A second attempt was made during the evening but it was decided to postpone the special operation for a while and to continue to the South coast of France.

10 Jan 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) torpedoes and damages the French merchant Dalny (6672 GRT) 15 nautical miles from San Remo, Italy. The Dalny was beached to prevent her from sinking.

11 Jan 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) again torpedoes and damages the (now beached) French merchant Dalny (6672 GRT) off Cape Cervo, Sardinia, Italy.

17 Jan 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) ends her 16th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.

31 Jan 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) is docked at Algiers.

2 Feb 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) is undocked.

4 Feb 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) departs Algiers for her 17th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol in the Tyrrhenean Sea.

21 Feb 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) ends her 17th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.

28 Feb 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) departs Algiers for Gibraltar for some repairs that could not be done at Algiers.

3 Mar 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) arrives at Gibraltar.

8 Mar 1943
With her repairs completed HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) departs Gibraltar for Algiers.

12 Mar 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) arrives at Algiers.

16 Mar 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) departs Algiers for her 18th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol in the Tyrrhenean Sea.

22 Mar 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) torpedoes and damages the German tanker Präsident Herrenschmidt (9103 GRT) about 10 nautical miles north-west of Cape Suvero in position 39º14'N, 15º59'E. (see map)

30 Mar 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) unsuccesfully fires four torpedoes at the Italian merchant Benevento (5229 GRT) about 50 nautical miles north of Ustica, Italy in position 39º37'N, 13º15'E. (see map)

5 Apr 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) ends her 18th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. This was the last operational patrol of HMS Tribune, due to problems with her engines (once again !) she has to return to the U.K. for refit.

3 May 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) departs Algiers for Gibraltar.

7 May 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) arrives at Gibraltar.

13 May 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) departs Gibraltar for Portsmouth.

24 May 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) arrives at Portsmouth. It has been decided due to the ever returning engine troubles to use Tribune as training boat. At Portsmouth she will undergo repairs to make her fit for her role as training boat.

21 Jun 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) is docked at Portsmouth.

30 Jun 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) is undocked.

2 Jul 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) is docked again at Portsmouth. She is undocked after only a few hours.

30 Jul 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) departs Portsmouth for Plymouth. She arrives at Plymouth later the same day.

31 Jul 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) departs Plymouth for Rothesay.

2 Aug 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) arrives at Rothesay to start her role as training boat.

23 Aug 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) is briefly docked at Rothesay to scrape the ships bottom. She is undocked after a few hours.

14 Dec 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) is docked at Rothesay.

18 Dec 1943
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) is undocked.

1 Mar 1944
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) departs Rothesay for Blyth.

4 Mar 1944
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) arrives at Blyth.

5 Jul 1944
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) departs Blyth for Wallsend where she is to refit at the Swan Hunter shipyard. She arrived at Wallsend later the same day.

23 Dec 1944
With her refit completed HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) departs Wallsend for Blyth. She arrives at Blyth later the same day. She resumes her role as training boat.

29 Jun 1945
HMS Tribune is put in reserve at Blyth.

25 Sep 1945
HMS Tribune departs Blyth for Portsmouth.

27 Sep 1945
HMS Tribune arrives at Portsmouth.

10 Nov 1945
HMS Tribune departs Portsmouth for Falmouth where she is berthed on the mud to await scrapping.