British and Allied Submarine
Operations in World War II
Vice Admiral Sir Arthur Hezlet KBE CB DSO* DSC

 

 

     
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Particulars of British Submarines 1939

S Class


ENLARGE

1929 Estimates

Swordfish
Sturgeon
Chatham
Chatham
1932
1932
1930 Estimates

Seahorse
Starfish
Chatham
Chatham
1933
1933
1931 Estimates

Shark
Sealion
Chatham
C. Laird
1934
1934
1932 Estimates

Snapper
Salmon
Chatham
C. Laird
1935
1935
1933 Estimates Seawolf Scotts 1935
1934 Estimates

Spearfish
Sunfish
C. Laird
Chatham
1936
1937
1935 Estimates Sterlet Chatham 1938

To date all “new construction” submarines had been large and of considerable endurance for use in the Far East. It was clear that there was a case for a smaller type of patrol submarine for use in European waters in war and to replace the H-class for anti-submarine training in peacetime. The result was the S-class which were the same size as the first world war E-class which had proved very successful. The S-class were re-designed, however, to carry the six 21" bow torpedo salvo and with a slightly increased diving depth and, like the E class, to have internal fuel.

 

Dimensions


202½' x 24' x 10½' =737 tons (surface) First four.
                               927 tons (submerged)
208.7' x 24' x 10½’ =768 tons (surface)
                               The others. 960 tons (submerged)

Armament


Six 21" bow torpedo tubes. Twelve 21" Mark VIII torpedoes.
One 3" QF Mark III gun. (Not always mounted). 100 rounds.
One Lewis gun and five rifles.

Propulsion





Twin Diesel engines 1550 HP = 14.2 knots. (Sunfish 1900 HP = 15 kts)
38.6 tons oil fuel = 1880 miles at 14 kts or 5750 @ 8 kts.
1.3 tons per day on patrol.

Main motors 1300 HP = 10 knots submerged.
Batteries. 224 cells of 97 tons = 1.6 hrs at 9 kts submerged.

Hull


Saddle tank type.
Diving depth 300 feet.

Complement

5 Officers and 34 men.

Detecting devices

Two 34foot periscopes.
Type 118 asdic set. (Seawolf a type 129 asdic set).

RESET PRINT PREFERENCES TO LANDSCAPE
The Royal Navy Submarine Museum Website