Allied Warships

HMS Votary (P 29)

Submarine of the V class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassV 
PennantP 29 
Built byVickers Armstrong (Newcastle-on-Tyne, U.K.) 
Ordered17 Nov 1942 
Laid down21 Apr 1943 
Launched21 Aug 1944 
Commissioned13 Dec 1944 
End serviceJul 1946 
History

Transferred to the Norwegian Navy in July 1946 and renamed Uthaug.  

Commands listed for HMS Votary (P 29)

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and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. Peter Minet Staveley, RN12 Sep 1944late 1945

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Notable events involving Votary include:


The history of HMS Votary as compiled on this page is extracted from the logbooks of this submarine. Unfortunately only three logbooks are available for this submarine; January, March and June 1945. Therefore full details can only be given for these months.

This page was last updated in November 2019.

24 Nov 1944
Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) departed the Tyne for Blyth where she arrived later the same day. (1)

2 Dec 1944
Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) departed Blyth for Scapa Flow. (1)

4 Dec 1944
Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (1)

9 Dec 1944
HMS Solent (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) and Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (2)

10 Dec 1944
Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (1)

13 Dec 1944
Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted her acceptance trials in the Clyde area following which she was commissioned at Holy Loch.

1 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted attack and radar exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). These included night exercises. (3)

2 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (3)

3 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with Morse (Lt. O. Chauveau) and HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). These included night exercises. (3)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (3)

7 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted a deep dive trials in the Clyde area. This trial was followed by exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (3)

8 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (3)

9 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)

10 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)

11 Jan 1945
Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (3)

13 Jan 1945
HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both departed Holy Loch for Lerwick / Scapa Flow. They anchored for the night in Carradale Bay. (4)

14 Jan 1945
HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both departed Carradale Bay to continue their passage north escorted by HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (4)

15 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S training exercises. (3)

17 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN). (3)

18 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

21 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, DSC, RN). (3)

22 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Diack, DSC and Bar, RN).H, MS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN) and HMS Cavalier (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, RN). (3)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN) and HMS Blackmore (Lt. J.S. Kerans, RN). (3)

25 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Diack, DSC and Bar, RN). (3)

26 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Myngs (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN). (3)

27 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Barfleur (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) and HMS Blackmore (Lt. J.S. Kerans, RN). (3)

28 Jan 1945
HMS Trusty (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, DSC, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted attack exercises on each other at Scapa Flow. (5)

29 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Barfleur (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN). (3)

31 Jan 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Ligny (T/Lt. B.T. Carey, RNVR). (3)

1 Feb 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) arrived at Blyth. (1)

3 Feb 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) shifted from Blyth to the Tyne. She was to undergo repairs, a new battery, at her builders yard. (1)

3 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) shifted from the Tyne to Blyth. (6)

4 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

6 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) and HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) all departed Blyth for Scapa Flow / Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR) until 0900/27 when HMS Hamlet (A/Skr.Lt. J.A. MacTean, RNR) took over. (7)

7 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both arrived at Scapa Flow. (7)

10 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (7)

11 Mar 1945
HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) both arrived at Holy Loch. (7)

13 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

14 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

16 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the targets. (6)

17 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (6)

18 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (6)

19 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (6)

20 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (6)

22 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (6)

23 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (6)

24 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (6)

25 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (6)

26 Mar 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (6)

28 Mar 1945
HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN), HMS Scorcher (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) all conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (6)

28 Mar 1945
HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR), HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer DSC, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) served as the targets. (8)

30 Mar 1945
HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN), HMS Scorcher (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) all conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (6)

14 Apr 1945
HMS Universal (Lt. S.S. Brooks, DSC, RN) and HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) departed Rothesay for Tobermory. They were escorted by HMS Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN). (9)

15 Apr 1945
HMS Universal (Lt. S.S. Brooks, DSC, RN), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) and HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) departed Tobermory for Loch Alsh. They were escorted by HMS Loch Tarbert (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G. Butcher, DSC, RNVR). (9)

9 May 1945
HMS Universal (Lt. A.J.D'A. Burdett, RN), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN), HMS Virulent (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN), HMS Scorcher (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) and HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Loch Alsh to Tobermory. They were escorted by HMS Biggal (Lt. J.B. Powell, RNR). (10)

10 May 1945
HMS Universal (Lt. A.J.D'A. Burdett, RN), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN), HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Rothesay. They were escorted by HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) G.G. Slade, RN). (10)

14 Jun 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (11)

14 Jun 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (11)

26 Jun 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (11)

27 Jun 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (11)

28 Jun 1945
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (11)

Sources

  1. ADM 199/2574
  2. ADM 173/18770
  3. ADM 173/20344
  4. ADM 173/20260
  5. ADM 173/20037
  6. ADM 173/20345
  7. ADM 173/20330 + ADM 199/1444
  8. ADM 173/19580
  9. ADM 173/20127
  10. ADM 173/20128
  11. ADM 173/20346

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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