HMS
TALENT
(1945
-
1966)
HMS TALENT was launched and commissioned in 1945 but saw little action. Her first commission was spent in the Far East after which she returned to the UK. She then spent her commissions alternating between the Home and Mediterranean stations. In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
TALENT was docked down in No. 3 Dock when the caisson collapsed, flooding the dock and washing the submarine onto the shore opposite the dock. There were 50 workers onboard at the time of the accident. Three of the workers were washed away and drowned. Thirty other workers were injured – one of whom later died in hospital.
After this accident all caissons at Chatham that were on the tidal river were chained down to prevent them lifting and they were inspected more regularly to ensure that they were full of water.
TALENT was streamlined and modernised between 1954-56, including removal of the 4 inch gun. She was refitted in Malta in 1960-61 and then spent the rest of her life in the Mediterranean before being decommissioned in 1966.