Helle 1912

[john sefton]

HELLE. Minelayer. Greek Navy. Built as the Cruiser FEI HUNG for China by New York SB. Keel laid in 1910. Launched in May 1912. Completed in 1913. 2115tn. L322'. B39'. Dr14'. Powered by 3 Parson turbines. 7500dhp. 3 screws. 21kn. Armed with Three 6" and 6 Smaller guns. Two 18" TT. Complement 232. She was purchased by Greece while still new in 1914. Reconstructed between 1926-28 and fitted out for minelaying. Carries 110 mines. She was torpedoed without warning on 15th August 1940 by an Italian submarine whilst anchored at Tinos Is. participating in a religious ceremony. Greece was not at war with Italy at that time. The ship is not shown on the stamp. The Greek inscription 'Torpedoing of Helle' can be misleading - the stamp depicts a photograph taken by coincidence at 8.25am on 15th August 1940 the moment 2 or 3 torpedoes were fired against HELLE by an Italian submarine are exploding on Tinos Harbour breakwater, minutes after the other torpedoes had struck HELLE amidships - Greece 1946. 100dr. SG647 (LB4/78)