Corkman to be remembered at ceremony for sunken submarine HMS Triumph

Corkman Patrick Coakley and Norman cantwell in their navy uniforms.

On the bed of the Aegean sea off the coast of Greece lies the wreck of a British submarine, described by the diver who discovered it in recent months as the “wet grave of 64 people”.

Included in the watery grave are the remains of an adventurous sea man from close to Clonakilty, Co Cork, Patrick Coakley.

The former fisherman had joined the royal navy in 1936 as a stoker.  He spent three years on board the HMS Orion, before being promoted to leading stoker in 1941. 

He was drafted onto the HMS Triumph in October 1941, just months before the vessel disappeared.  He was 27 years old when he is presumed to have died on board the Triumph.

His and the remains of 63 others who had been on board the HMS Triumph when it disappeared in the Aegean in January 1942 have now been found.

HISTORY HUB

If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

Next July, members of his family will gather with the families of his crew members in Athens for a special ceremony to mark the discovery of the HMS Triumph last June by Greek diver Kostas Thoctarides, who had been searching for the submarine for the previous 25 years. 

He made the landmark discovery using simple sonar equipment.

Although the royal navy has not yet confirmed that the vessel found by Mr Thoctarides is indeed that of the HMS Triumph, the veteran diver and members of the HMS Triumph Association say that there are distinguishing factors on the found vessel which proves it is the missing sub.

Mr Thoctarides noted for example that the Triumph was the only one T-Class vessel without external front torpedo tubes, as they had been removed during repairs in 1940 after a mine hit.

Mr Thoctarides believes the cause of the mysterious sinking of the vessel “appears to have a large-power explosion in the early part of the submarine, which then led by the HMS Triumph at a depth of -203 meters (-666 ft)."

"The wreck site is being treated with respect as it is a wet grave of 64 people”.

Acting Leading Stoker Patrick Coakley. Patrick was drafted into Triumph on 28 Oct 1941. 

He said the vessel is tens of kilometers off the coast. Having rested undisturbed in the Aegean for more than 80 years, it is now covered in sealife. 

Because the site is now considered a war grave, the exact location of the submarine on the sea bed is not being revealed to protect it from curious divers. 

When found, it was in relatively good shape, with its hatches closed and periscope retracted, according to Mr Thoctarides.

The Triumph was a T-class submarine, armed with eight torpedoes and a 4in gun. 

The vessel was engaged in special operations throughout the Second World War, including supporting Greek resistance fighters. 

Having set out on its maiden mission in 1938, the Triumph was on its 21st expedition when it disappeared in the Aegean Sea. Its last contact was on January 9, 1942, when it radioed to report that it had sunk an Italian merchant ship. 

At the time of its disappearance, there were seven officers, 55 crew members, and two commanders on board. 

Among them was Mr Coakley, originally from Ballinglanna, close to Ring, Clonakilty. Fine Gael senator Tim Lombard is his proud grandnephew. 

Mr Lombard said relatives of Leading Stoker Coakley are delighted that the submarine’s location has finally been identified.

He said: “From our side of the family, it has been a story we have always been aware of. It was my grandfather’s brother. 

My grandfather, John Coakley, was the eldest. He often spoke about where he was and what happened. There was no closure. When the news broke in June that they had found the actual submarine, it was amazing and really powerful to know now where exactly it is.

He added: “It is now a war grave but it brings closure to a mystery that was in the family for nearly 70 years.

“If we do have the opportunity to go out there next year, I will certainly try to go just to mark the spot and see the location, it is important to get the closure.”

Mr Lombard said even though he never met his adventurous granduncle, he can see strong resemblances from photos of the missing seaman with other members of their shared relatives.

The Triumph Association, set up by relatives of the men, are now planning to have as many relatives as possible of the crew at a memorial service at the wreck site next July. 

There are also plans for a second memorial commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire, for relatives who cannot make it out to Greece.

A statement on the association’s website says: “During the second world war some 40 British submarines were sunk in the Mediterranean. 

Many have been found, and now Triumph’s position is also known, thanks to the work of the notable Greek underwater explorer Kostas Thoctarides.”