Article written by Des Davies from Aberystwyth
"This is the first-hand account of the part played by the Aberystwyth lifeboat Frederick Angus in the rescue of the crew of H. M. Submarine Universal P57.
At 8.25am on Tuesday the 5th February 1946, in response to a report from the Aberystwyth coastguard that H.M. Submarine Universal P57 was disabled taking in water and drifting in a N. Easterly direction 11 and a half miles west south west of Aberystwyth, the lifeboat Frederick Angus under the command of acting Coxswain Evan James Davies was launched in a westerly gale.
Battling her way through the heavy seas, she found the submarine together with the destroyer H.M.S. Southdown and the Fishguard lifeboat 'White Star' under the command of Coxswain Ben Williams (she had stood by the submarine earlier and had just returned from her station after refuelling).
Shortly after this, the New Quay lifeboat William Cantrell Ashley under the command of Coxswain Arden Evans arrived but on finding the other two motor lifeboats not needing further assistance, returned to her station. (It is interesting to note here that this lifeboat was of the old pulling and sailing type and that this was probably the last service launch of a sailing lifeboat around the UK coast.)
The submarine, which was now adrift 
having parted the towline to the destroyer, was wallowing in the heavy seas. Several attempts were made by the two lifeboats passing lines between destroyer and submarine to recover the tow but with the worsening conditions, these attempts were of no avail. Each time the towline was made fast and the strain taken on it, the line parted and once again the submarine was at the mercy of the seas.
For several hours and in the most trying conditions, these attempts had gone on and during all this time the stricken submarine was being blown further north along the coast and nearer to the shore. When abreast of Aberystwyth and some 2 to 3 miles from the shore, Aberystwyth lifeboat Coxswain decided to warn the submarine commander of the impending danger of drifting further on to the causeway (known as Cantre'r Gwaelod) and advised him to anchor in his present position where the holding ground was good.
Taking his advice, the commander then let go his anchors and gave the order to abandon ship. By the time the submarine had come up riding to her anchors, the Fishguard lifeboat was the nearer so she went alongside and with great difficulty due to the heavy seas breaking over both lifeboat and submarine managed to take off 16 of the crew.
The Aberystwyth lifeboat (the smaller of the two) then went alongside and by means of a rope from the conning tower of the submarine to the lifeboat, the remaining crew members started to get into the lifeboat by hand over hand down the rope. Three men successfully managed it but the fourth man was thrown into the sea between the two vessels as the lifeboat rolled away from the submarine. The lifeboat man, holding the rope for'd leaned over the side and with the help of another crew member, succeeded in getting him aboard.
Immediately after this, a huge sea lifted the lifeboat and sent her bow crashing into the submarine between the conning tower and the gun platform smashing a hole in her. Despite this, a number of the crew were able to scramble into the lifeboat. Then, coming full astern on the engine, the Coxswain got the lifeboat clear and came around again to take the remainder of the crew off.
The whole crew of the submarine had been taken off in less than an hour. The rescue completed, the Fishguard lifeboat returned to her station and landed her 16 survivors. The Aberystwyth lifeboat also returned to the shore where hundreds of people lined the promenade and beach to witness the return of the lifeboat with its 11 survivors.
Hot drinks were distributed 
to the lifeboat crew provided by Lt. Commander W. Wynne Owen who owned a restaurant in the town. The survivors were taken to a hotel and provided for by the ship wrecked mariners society their clothes dried by the Aberystwyth steam laundry."
Part 2 of Des' dramatic account.
Des' photos of past Aberystwyth lifeboats.
your comments
John Morris, Fishguard
In 1946 I was 12 year old school boy who lived near Strumble Head in a house called the Castell,and I remember the P57 UNIVERSAL incident well. and have been able to obtain national news paper cuttings and photographs of the rescue. and according to all press reports that I have Lt.Commander W.F.N.Main of Cardiff the Sub's Captain was the last man off her...the Fishguard lifeboat off Strumble Head who picked up one sailor Thomas Thorton who had been washed of the deck of the Sub while trying to catch a life line.
Fri Jul 3 15:15:34 2009
Johnny Morrris, Fishguard.
According to my records the Commanding Officer of Submarine P57 Universal was Lieut-Commander Main of Cardiff,he was the last man taken off the Submarine by the Fishguard Lifeboat White Star, and was later trasferred to the Destroyer Southdown.
Thu Jul 2 10:22:01 2009
Kate Swan (nee Rayner) from Newtown
After being put in touch with Des Davies from Aber, my sons and I spent an enjoyable afternoon with him recently, talking about the rescue of the crew of the 'Universal' of which my late husband, Alan Rayner, was commanding officer. My boys were able to thank Des for bringing their father safely ashore on that day in 1946 and we were fascinated to read some of the cuttings Des had from the local papers. We only have the ones from the national press which did not go into as much detail so it was good for us to be able to read quotes from Alan. We are very grateful to Des Davies for making all this possible.
Thu Jun 11 10:53:40 2009
Kate Swan (nee Rayner) from Newtown
My late husband, Alan Rayner, was one of the officers (second lieutenant?)rescued from the sub Universal in Feb 46. We have the newspaper cuttings and he often talked about it to our sons. He remembered how kind the people of Aberystwyth were to them. When we moved from Windermere to live in Newtown in 1975 we visited the lifeboat station at Aber to see the record of the incident.
Thu Feb 5 15:58:15 2009
Ron Davies, Walsall
I was on board HMS Southdown during the rescue, and remember it well.The seas were tremendous, we were working off safety lines, which was difficult enough without the high seas.It was that bad our tow lines snapped just like a piece of cotton.
Sun Jul 22 21:26:56 2007
Mavis Law, Cheshire
I am the cousin of Bernard Mannix as mentioned in the posting and my father was William Roberts who lost his life on the Aguila on 19th August 1941.I have got as Bernard said, photos,letters from families of relatives who sailed on her and copies of listings of names of the crew and the wrens who sadly perished on their first voyage.I also have a book which tells of the convoy on that fateful voyage which which gives illustrations of the Captain and also the Captain of the U-boat who gave the order to torpedo the AGUILA.It was 50 yrs before we finally knew what happened on that eventful night and my dear mother finally had answers after all those years.If you would like to contact me I will gladly help.
Mon Nov 27 09:52:52 2006
Bernard Mannix
My uncle William Roberts of Liverpool died aboard Aguila. He was 24 years of age.
His daughter, my cousin, has many letters from people who also lost family in this incident,as well as crew lists.
I did wonder if Shelley might like to be put in touch with my cousin?
I do have a picture of Aguila somewhere but can't lay my hands on it immediately but will keep looking.
Tue Aug 15 10:58:31 2006
Shelley from Liverpool
After looking at a picture of the Aguila Wren Lifeboat, I was wondering if anyone could help me find a photo of the S.S.Aguila? My Great Grandfather lost his life on this ship.
If you can help, please email us at
wales.mid@bbc.co.uk - Mid Wales Web Team.
Tue Aug 30 09:35:04 2005
Do you have any memories of the Aberystwyth lifeboat crew? Doyou have a story of your own to tell? Add your comments here:
In 1946, the Aberystwyth lifeboat was involved in the dramatic rescue of 27 men from a stricken submarine. Des Davies is the last surviving crew member and he's written a first-hand account of the incident. 
