The HMS Urge wreck is a World War II British submarine, located near Malta. This U-class submarine, 58 meters long and 4.9 meters wide, sank after striking a naval mine on April 27, 1942, leading to the loss of all 44 people onboard. The wreck was discovered in 2019 and lies upright at a depth of about 130 meters. The submarine is mostly in good condition, except for its badly damaged bow. Due to its depth, HMS Urge is a technical dive site and is accessible only by boat. The site is known for its historical significance and the presence of colorful marine growth on the wreck.
Navy: The Royal Navy
Type: Submarine
Class: U
Pennant: N 17
Mod: Second Group
Built by: Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.)
Ordered: 4 Sep 1939
Laid down: 30 Oct 1939
Launched: 19 Aug 1940
Commissioned: 12 Dec 1940
Lost: 27 Apr 1942
History
HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. Edward Philip Tomkinson, DSO and Bar, RN) left Malta on 27 April 1942. She failed to arrive at Alexandria on 6 May 1942 and was reported overdue on that day.
Her wreck was found during the summer of 2019 off Malta. The wreck is upright on the bottom and in good condition minus the badly damaged bow. She must have hit a mine shortly after leaving Malta. The discovery of her wreck was announced on 30 October 2019.
In May 2021 it was announced that the wreck has been dived again and is now 100% positively identified as HMS Urge. The letters of her name are visible on the Port side of the conning tower.
On 27 April 2022, 80 years after the loss of HMS Urge a memorial was unveiled at Fort St. Elmo, Malta.
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