Saukko (Finnish for European otter) was a Finnish submarine launched in 1930. Designed to operated from Lake Ladoga, her tonnage was limited to 100 tonnes by the Treaty of Tartu. In reality, she weighted 114 tonnes and never operated from the lake.
To enable rail transportation, she was able to be separated into several sections, including the removal of the conning tower.
During the Winter War (1939–1940) and the Continuation War (1941–1944), the submarine operated in the Gulf of Finland. Saukko was scrapped in 1952.
Saukko under construction 1930Saukko under construction 1930Saukko under construction 1930Saukko under construction 1930Saukko being launchedSaukko under construction 1930Saukko under construction 1930Saukko being prepared for launchSaukko under construction 1930Saukko under construction 1930Saukko under construction 1930Saukko under construction 1930Saukko being launched at Hietalahti shipyard, 2 July 1930Saukko being launched at Hietalahti shipyard, 2 July 1930Saukko shortly after being launchedSaukko shortly after being launchedLaunch of Saukko at Hietalahti shipyard Helsinky 2nd July 1930SaukkoVetehinen, Vesihiisi, Iku-turso and Saukko stripped of equipment at the Suomenlinna shipyard before being towed for scrapping abroad, Valmet
Perla was the lead ship of her class of submarines built for the Italian Regina Marina. On June 6, 1942, Perla launched two torpedoes at the British corvette HMS Hyacinth. Both missed and Hyacinth counter attacked with depth charges. Suffering serious damage, Captain Ventura ordered her to surface and be scuttled. Damage to the Kingston Valves caused by the attack meant that she flooded very slowly. This provided time for the British to board and prevent her sinking.
Repaired and commissioned into the British Royal Navy she was renamed HMS P712.
While in British service she was used to evaluate the level of development of Italian submarines.
In 1943, she was transferred to the Hellenic Navy and renamed Matrozos. She served until 1947 when she was sold and scrapped.
Perla in with its original pre-war color schemePerlaPerlaPerla arriving in BordeauxPerlaThe captured Perla, at anchor in Beirut harbour, Syria 17 July 1942An armed sentry guarding Perla 17 July 1942
Matrozos was a Perla-class submarine captured by the Royal Navy during World War Two and subsequently operated by the Royal Hellenic Navy.
Perla was the lead ship of her class of submarines built for the Italian Regina Marina. On June 6, 1942, Perla launched two torpedoes at the British corvette HMS Hyacinth. Both missed and Hyacinth counter attacked with depth charges. Suffering serious damage, Captain Ventura ordered her to surface and be scuttled. Damage to the Kingston Valves caused by the attack meant that she flooded very slowly. This provided time for the British to board and prevent her sinking.
Repaired and commissioned into the British Royal Navy she was renamed HMS P712.
While in British service she was used to evaluate the level of development of Italian submarines.
In 1943, she was transferred to the Hellenic Navy and renamed Matrozos. She served until 1947 when she was sold and scrapped.
Perla in with its original pre-war color schemePerlaPerlaPerla arriving in BordeauxPerlaThe captured Perla, at anchor in Beirut harbour, Syria 17 July 1942An armed sentry guarding Perla 17 July 1942
