Heads up – the 2019 AGM will be on Friday 13 September at 1800 in the Museum – Read more »
2019 AGM
Venturer Torpedo
The model of a torpedo presented to Lieutenant “Jimmy” Launders DSO*, DSC* Royal Navy, Commanding Officer of HMS Venturer which sank U-864 on 9 February 1945, Read more »
Xceptional Visit!
Read more »The Museum hosted a special visitor on Saturday 6th April on the occasion of his 94th Birthday. Gerald Lloyd-Williams, a WW2 X-Craft Veteran arrived with six family members in support,
Website Upgrade
I know surveys are becoming the bane of our lives but hear me out! We plan to update the website this year and have set aside a sum of money to do this. Read more »
A Courageous DVD
After several years of hard work the HMS Courageous Association has launched its DVD – HMS COURAGEOUS – Hunter Killer of the Cold War. Read more »
Visit to Fort Blockhouse of Daughter of CO of HMS URGE
Recently Mrs Bridget Dickinson daughter of Lieutenant Commander E P “Tommo” Tomkinson DSO**, and her son, Mr Francis Dickinson, visited Fort Blockhouse to view the historical artefacts connected with her late father, Read more »
Move of Museum Archive
The NMRN archivists, including those covering submarine heritage matters, are currently unable to respond to enquiries or requests for access to the collections as they undertake the move of the collection into new accommodation in Portsmouth. Read more »
Scottish Submarine Centre – Nominated for award
Please see the following press release from the SSC.
The 2019 UK National Award for Museums + Heritage has shortlisted the Scottish Submarine Centre for its prestigious ‘Innovation of The Year’ Read more »
Snowy Quiz
Which boat is pictured on the ship lift at VSEL below?
Commonwealth War Grave Commission at the Museum
On the 13th February we have some representatives from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at RNSM who are collecting information to create a digital archive. Read more »
Missile Magic
In early 2015 (yes, that long ago), the Friends discussed the idea of a project with the staff of the RNSM to upgrade the JFB to make it a more exciting and stimulating place for visitors. Read more »
U Boats surrender at Harwich – again!
The following has been sent to me:
People in Essex will be transported back to World War 1 and the surrender of German U Boats in Harwich, Read more »
Blyth and HMS Tiptoe
The Freedom of Blyth was granted to the Submarine Service in 1979 in recognition of the very close links which existed between the town and the service in both world wars where submarines were based and operated from and where many sailed from on their final patrols . Read more »
Museum Remembrance Area
The Friends are investing heavily in enhancing the remembrance area at the Museum to make it a more fitting space to contemplate the sacrifice made by those whose names are listed on the Wall of Remembrance. Read more »
Museum marks end of WW1 Centenary
Especially assembled for the Submariners Association Remembrance Day Service, taking place at the Submarine Museum in Gosport on Sunday 11 November 2018, Read more »
Remembrance Sunday at the Museum
From our Vice Chairman, Jock McLees
Read more »
Dear Friends of the Submarine Museum, as you are all well aware,
Submarine Courageous Cold War Warrior The life and times of a Nuclear Submarine
Compiled by Michael Pitkeathly ex Warrant Officer Tactical System and Edited by Captain David Wixon RN (ret)
This is the story of HMS Courageous (SSN06). Read more »
Christmas is Coming – Cards Launched
We have finalised our Christmas Card as you can see below! Orders are now open!!
Call for Assistance
Can you help identify these items from the Museum archive? They are listed as a pair of measuring tubes, a Wilson’s cloud chamber and a spectroscope. Read more »
Vice Admiral Talbot’s Family Visit
The descendants and relatives of Vice Admiral Sir Cecil Ponsonby Talbot KCB KBE DSO* (31 August 1884 – 17 March 1970) paid a successful visit to Fort Blockhouse and the Submarine Museum on Wednesday 10 October. Read more »
Grants made by the Friends
Since 1995 the Friends have donated over £331,000 to the Museum. The latest list of grants are available on the Admin Stuff page. Read more »
Alverstoke Michaelmas Fayre
Members of the Friends’ committee manned a stall at the very popular Michaelmas Fayre in Alverstoke, Read more »
Ask the Archives
The Museum Archive will be open to all, with collections officers ready to answer any questions. Read more »
Calling all budding artists!
The Friends are again looking to raise funds through selling Christmas cards this year. Is there anybody in the submarine community who would like to have a go at designing the 2018 versions? Read more »
Members Museum Visit Feedback Form
Members who visit the Museum often send us feedback – to make that easier to do we have introduced a visit feedback form. Read more »
Wait for me!
Our thanks to ‘PK’ Pitkeathly for sending in this excellent snap which just cries out to be a Caption Competition for all to enter. Read more »
Tattoo Tales
The following is an appeal for help from the NMRN:
National Museum launches appeal to serving personnel and veterans for stories behind their tattoos Read more »
In the past sailor’s tattoos mapped journeys on the sea and through life.
Silent and Secret
The new exhibition at the Museum – Silent and Secret – is open!
It will explore the history of the deterrent and reveal the “challenging nature of working in these submarines”, Read more »
Your Submarine Museum Needs You!
The Museum is looking for volunteers and is holding a drop in event in Torbay Block (in the Museum car park) on on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 on how you can help Your Museum by contributing some of your time and your specialist submarine knowledge. Read more »
Data Protection – GDPR
Our new Data Protection Policy Statement (GDPR) is available on the Admin Stuff page. Read more »
Silent and Secret
UPDATED WITH NEW PROGRAMME
“Silent and Secret”, a conference marking the 50th anniversary of the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent will take place on 15/16 June 2018 at the Historic Dockyard. Read more »
The Deadly Trade
The Times recently reviewed Ian Ballantyne’s new book – The Deadly Trade. For those who missed it here is the link. Read more »
Society for Nautical Research (South) – Events
Details of events arranged by the Society for Nautical Research (South) are here. Members are most welcome to apply for places. Read more »
Who, When, and Where?
The photo below was found scrunched up in the staff rest room at the Museum. Can anyone help answer these questions:
Who are they? Read more »
Author meets Historian
Last week Eric Thompson, whose new book On Her Majesty’s Nuclear Service is published on 28 February, met historian Dan Snow at the Museum who interviewed him about the book. Read more »
More WW2 Submarines Found
The Times reports this Saturday that a number of RN WW2 submarine wrecks have been identified in the Mediterranean. Read more »
HMAS AE1 located after 103 years
Australia’s first submarine HMAS AE1 has been found, after 103 years, read the story here.
Christmas Presents
If you suddenly need an idea for a great Christmas Present for somebody who has everything then how about a Gift Membership of the Friends. Read more »
WW2 Veteran’s 96th Birthday Party
Read more »The Friends of the RN Submarine Museum facilitated a visit by Michael Tibbs, his wife, Anne, and 14 family members to the RNSM on Saturday 25 November to celebrate his 96th birthday,
Harbour Stations 2017 Published
Members can now download their copy of Harbour Stations 2017 from the Admin Stuff Page here. Or directly by clicking the picture below. Read more »
Grave of wartime submariner in Italy identified after 75 years
Leading Telegraphist Victor Crosby was shot dead by German military police and buried in an unmarked grave when he was barely 20 miles from Allied lines. Read more »
Personal account of the submarine commander who made Hitler “go red in the face.”
We are proud to announce that the new book HMS RORQUAL – Commanded by Lennox Napier DSO DSC June 1941-December 1943 by Christoper Napier OBE has been published on our website, Read more »
QinetiQ helps raise our profile in HM Naval Base Clyde
Last week, QinetiQ’s Graham Thorley, together with Lt Nick Groves RN helped raise awareness of the ‘Friends of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum’ by establishing a new promotional banner in the Supermess at HM Naval Base Clyde. Read more »
Gift Membership Scheme Launched
Announcing Gift Membership! The perfect present for the son or daughter who has it all! The Easter Present for those who, Read more »
A new way to look all round?
These 360° pictures from the Museum were taken by Peter Jeanneret and are of The Remembrance Garden and HMS Alliance Control Room. Read more »
Perisher 100 – Mountbatten Festival of Music
The Mountbatten Festival of Music was streamed live for the very first time last Saturday (25 March 2017). The Submarine Service featured heavily this year with two new pieces in the first half specially composed for us: Deterrence, Read more »
RN Submarine Service Tartan
For those who got excited about the new Submarine Service tie I offer, with some trepidation, news of the new tartan! Read more »
Caption Competition
The photo below of HMS SPRAT from Mary Thompson just begs a caption competition. No prizes, I’m afraid, just add your suggestion as a comment below. Read more »
X51 Installed in New Home
X51 arrived at the Scottish Submarine Centre on time and was swiftly removed from the trailers. The Verslifts set to work to slip her into the building, Read more »
Perkins Diesels and X Craft – UPDATED
Good story here with recollection of Perkins Diesels involvement in the X Craft. Click on the picture to go to the story. Read more »
Course Photos – Poll
Would you like to see a section on the website containing old course photos? This might be a powerful testament to those who have served in boats over the years and fun too! Read more »
Production of a Courageous DVD
Capt John Edgell OBE, one-time C.O of HMS Tireless, Teacher etc and myself are currently engaged in the early stages of producing a film about Courageous. Read more »
New Book Added
Members can now read the first attempt at a comprehensive description of Submarine operations in the First World War. Submarine and Anti-submarine by Sir Henry Newbolt and published in 1919 is available in the reference documents section here. Read more »
All Round Look Archive
As part of our plan to build up the reference content of the Friends website we have now published an archive of the past 10 years of All Round Look available from our Reference Documents page here. Read more »
The Submarine Memorial Fund
Few people know of the Submarine Memorial Fund but it exists, as part of the RNBT, to support serving and former submariner ratings and their families. Read more »
Submarine Service Tie – Do you like it?
Friends who still wear ties might we be interested in the new official Submarine Service Tie. As it says on the website: “…bringing together the colours of the White Ensign and the gold of the Submarine Service’s prestigious Dolphins badge. Read more »
New VC Section
Check out our new Reference Section telling the story of Submarine Victoria Crosses here
