Italian submarine attacks

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Spearfish
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Italian submarine attacks

Post by Spearfish » 27 Feb 2022 12:31

Can anyone help with two queries about Italian submarine attacks in August 1937?
On August 13 a torpedo missed the French Parame off Bizerta but I have been unable to find an Italian source which indicates which submarine made the attack. Does anyone know?
Two days later, on August 15, the Ferraris made an unsuccessful attack which, according to Francesco Mattesini in his article Il Blocco navale italiano nerra Guerra di Spagna Part 2, was the British 'Socont.' No press or historical accounts identify such a British ship but can any member provide the correct identity?

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Ironmachine
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Re: Italian submarine attacks

Post by Ironmachine » 27 Feb 2022 17:07

Regarding the first question:
Well, the article you mention (Francesco Mattesini's Il Blocco navale italiano nerra Guerra di Spagna Part 2) actually states that the attack on the Parame was carried out by the Italian submarine Diaspro:
Quello stesso 13 agosto, il comandante e alcuni membri dell’equipaggio del piroscafo francese Paramè, partito da Marsiglia e diretto a Tunisi, trovandosi a 20 miglia da Biserta avvistarono un siluro passare alla distanza di 150 yard dalla loro nave. Come vedremo l’attacco, senza esito, fu realizzato dal sommergibile italiano Diaspro.
Lo stesso giorno il Diaspro attacco con un siluro il piroscafo francese Paramè, della Société Maritime Nationale di Le Havre (ex belga Sierra Negra, ex britannico War Torpedo), senza colpirlo per altra irregolare corsa del siluro, che dopo l’uscita dal tubo di lancio scoppiò a poppavia del sommergibile. Giunto a Marsiglia l’indomani il comandante del Paramè denunciò l’attacco, affermando che il siluro del sommergibile era esploso a 150 dalla prora della sua nave.
Regarding the second question:
Can't help, but just a little correction: Actually, the article says the attack against the Socont [sic] happened on 14 August. On 15 August the ship attacked (and sunk) was the Spanish Ciudad de Cádiz.

Regards.

Spearfish
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Re: Italian submarine attacks

Post by Spearfish » 28 Feb 2022 10:00

Ironmachine, very many thanks for your response.
My Italian is very rusty and clearly needs 'oiling.'
I would still be interested to know the real identity of 'Socont'

Felix C
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Re: Italian submarine attacks

Post by Felix C » 19 Mar 2022 00:27

There is a British flagged Socony shown in Lloyd's Register. tanker. 4404grt. Still afloat as of 1939.

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