H.M.S. Penelope

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Image Details

Title	H.M.S. Penelope
Reference Number	STH0003724
Photographer	Unknown
Town or Village	Hebburn
Date	1941
Original Format	Black and white photograph
Period	The 1940s
Copyright	South Tyneside Libraries
Further Information	The crew of H.M.S Penelope surveying damage. HMS Penelope was an Arethusa-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. Built by Harland and Wolff (Belfast, Northern Ireland). She was launched on 15 October 1935. On the 11 Apr 1940 she entered a Norwegian fjord to support an attack of British destroyers against a German destroyer flotilla. On the way into the fjord she ran aground on rocks and was badly damaged. She was towed clear by HMS Eskimo but sustained 4 near-misses by aerial bombs exacerbating the damage already sustained by hitting the rocks. After later service at Malta, she suffered even worse damage - enough to earn the nickname "HMS Pepperpot". During this attack the ship's cat gave birth to three kittens, Bomb, Blitz and Blast. She was torpedoed on 18th February 1944 off Naples and sank. She took 415 men, including the Captain with her. In this image, the Royal Marine crew of the aft turret are relaxing after action. One crew member is playing the trumpet. The after 6" turret and 4" Anti-Aircraft Turret are also visable.