HMS Rorqual (N74) was a British mine-laying submarine, one of the six ships of the Grampus class of the Royal Navy.

Following this failed attack Rorqual was heavily depth charged by the Italian torpedo boat Generale Achille Papa.

The supplies consisted mainly of aviation spirit for the Hurricane fighters defending Malta airspace, kerosene for cooking and mail.

Also, in October 1943 Rorqual transported from Beirut to the island of Leros an entire battery of 40mm Bofors guns, with a jeep to tow them.

This was intended to give some air defence to British troops stranded on the island under attack by German forces.

Rorqual arrived in the Far East in 1945 to operate against the Japanese, serving as part of the British Pacific Fleet.