british submarines

the british fleet at the moment when war was declared possessed 82 submarine torpedo-boats built and 22 building. some of these were, however, stationed at the oversea naval bases. the composition and distribution of the submarine flotillas at the outbreak of hostilities were as follows:—

submarines in home waters.

patrol flotillas.

1st flotilla. devonport.

depôt ship: onyx.

submarines: a.8 and a.9.

2nd flotilla. portsmouth.

depôt ship: dolphin.

submarines: a.5, a.6, a.13 and b.1.

613rd flotilla. devonport.

depôt ship: forth.

submarines: b.3, b.4, b.5, c.14,

c.15 and c.16.

4th flotilla. portsmouth.

depôt ships: arrogant and hazard.

submarines: c.17, c.18, c.31, c.32, c.33, c.34, c.35.

5th flotilla. chatham.

depôt ship: thames.

submarines: c.1, c.2, c.3, c.4, c.5, c.6.

6th flotilla. chatham.

depôt ships: bonaventure and hebe.

submarines: c.7, c.8, c.9, c.10, c.12, c.13.

7th flotilla. chatham.

depôt ships: vulcan and alecto.

submarines: c.19, c.20, c.21, c.22, c.23, c.24, c.25, c.26, c.27, c.28, c.29, c.30.

8th flotilla. portsmouth.

depôt ships: maidstone and adamant.

62submarines: d.1, d.2, d.3, d.4, d.5, d.6, d.7, d.8, e.1, e.2, e.3, e.4, e.5, e.6, e.7, e.8, e.9.

9th flotilla. devonport.

depôt ship: pactolus.

submarines: a.10, a.11, a.12.

submarines on foreign stations.

attached to mediterranean fleet.—submarines b.9, b.10, and b.11.

at gibraltar.—submarines b.6, b.7, and b.8.

attached to china squadron.—submarines c.36, c.37, and c.38.

with australian fleet.—submarines a.e.1[2] and a.e.2.

the statement that the headquarters of the various submarine flotillas in home waters are at chatham, portsmouth, and devonport, must not be taken as indicating that these are the only points along the coast protected by submarines. these places are merely the chief bases 63of the patrol flotillas. the wide range of action of modern submarines enables them to operate several hundred miles from any base or depôt, and consequently chatham becomes merely the general store, or head-depôt, of what should be termed the north sea flotillas, which not only patrol the whole east, north-east and south-east coasts of england and scotland, but also have their floating secondary bases in the form of depôt ships, which, with their attached submarines, are often at harwich, newcastle, rosyth, etc. in the same way portsmouth is merely the headquarters of the submarines patrolling the channel; and dover, portland, etc., are seldom without strong flotillas of submarines with their depôt ships. the devonport flotillas have the longest coast-line to patrol, for their area covers not only the west coast of england, wales and scotland, but also the irish coast. they are, however, furthest removed from the zone of war.

64considerable alterations have taken place in the composition and distribution of the british submarine flotillas since the outbreak of war, with the object of materially strengthening the fleet in the main theatre of operations, but the addition to the flotillas of new vessels of the latest “e” type—nearly completed when war broke out—has made this rearrangement possible without materially weakening the flotillas guarding the more distant coasts of great britain or recalling vessels from overseas.

photo, cribb, southsea.]

the british submarine “d.7.”

displacement, 620 tons; speed, 16·10 knots; armament, 2 bow and 1 stern torpedo tube.

there are 8 vessels of this class, completed between 1908‒12.

the first submarine torpedo-boat built for the british navy was launched from the yard of messrs. vickers ltd., barrow-in-furness in 1901, and was designated the no. 1. it was constructed from the designs of the famous american inventor, mr. john p. holland, and was one of the most successful boats afloat at that time. a series of exhaustive trials with this and the succeeding five vessels, all of the same type and launched during 1901‒2, 65proved conclusively the fighting value of this type of craft, and a further order was given by the british admiralty for four new vessels embodying the improvements suggested by the trials of the first five. these vessels were the first of the “a” class, and were designated the “a’s 1, 2, 3, and 4.” they had a submerged displacement of 180 tons, a length of 100 feet and a beam of 10 feet. they were propelled by petrol motors of 190 h.-p. on the surface and by electric motors of about 80 h.-p. when submerged. their speed ranged from 8 knots an hour on the surface to 5 knots when travelling submerged, and their maximum surface endurance (or fuel capacity) was only 400 knots at 8 knots. their armament consisted of three 18-inch whitehead torpedoes and one bow tube.

all these vessels were, however, obsolete and therefore scrapped before the opening of hostilities, hence information concerning them is only of interest as showing the rapid growth 66in size, power and armament of british submarines. the next batch of vessels were the a’s 5 to 13, launched at barrow in 1904, but these, as will have been seen from the table showing the composition and distribution of the submarine flotillas at the outbreak of war, are still on the effective list. all the following british submarines are now in the fighting line.

“a” class.

(completed 1904.)

a’s 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

these vessels are the oldest british submarines in commission. they were built at messrs. vickers’ works at barrow, and have a submerged displacement of 204 tons. their length is 150 feet. they are propelled on the surface by petrol motors of 600 h.-p. and by electric engines of 100 h.-p. when submerged. their surface and submerged speed is 11 knots and 7 knots respectively. the cruising 67range, or maximum surface endurance on the fuel carried, is 400 knots at 10 knots an hour, and the endurance submerged three hours at full speed. their armament consists of two bow tubes with four 18-inch whitehead torpedoes. complement: eleven officers and men.

these vessels, which are now used almost entirely for harbour defence, can be distinguished from later types by their high conning-towers and single short periscopes. the a.7 was lost off plymouth early in 1914, and was never raised.

“b” class.

(completed 1904‒6.)

b’s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

these are submarines of the improved holland type, and are in every way superior to their predecessors. they may be considered the first of the sea-going type. their submerged displacement is 316 tons; length 135 feet, and beam 13 ½ feet. the motive power is the 68same as in the “a’s”—petrol for surface propulsion and electricity for use when submerged. the horse-power of the petrol engines is 600, and that of the electric engines 189. as in most submarines the supply of current for driving the electric engines is derived from storage batteries charged by dynamos driven from the petrol engines while the vessels are running on the surface. in the “b” class a special system of encasing these storage batteries was introduced. their speed averages 12 knots on the surface and 8 knots when submerged. the surface cruising range is 1,300 knots at 10 knots per hour, and the maximum submerged endurance 80‒100 knots at 5 knots per hour. their armament consists of two bow tubes with 4‒6 18-inch whitehead torpedoes. complement: sixteen officers and men.

the “b” type are vessels about 50 per cent. larger than the “a” type which preceded them. the “b’s” have superstructures extending from the bow to the 69conning-tower, forming a narrow deck which tends to disperse the wave which heaped around the blunt noses of the “a’s” and original hollands. vision when submerged is obtained by two panoramic periscopes, each having an arc of vision of 60 degrees. in the more modern vessels three periscopes are fitted. the twin screws of the “b’s” are placed below the centre line of the vessel and consequently operate in deeper water when the vessels are cruising on the surface. this gives them better surface cruising qualities, as in a sea-way the propellers are liable to race if worked too near the surface. the increase in the speed of these vessels over that of the “a’s” was of great importance, as in this respect lies the weakness of the submarine. the tactical advantages derived from high speed in actual warfare cannot be over-estimated. the speed of a fleet is governed by that of its slowest unit.

the distinguishing feature of the “b” type is the straight bow, the forward 70superstructure, and the two periscopes. the b.2 was run down by the liner amerika in the straits of dover in october, 1912, and was never recovered.

“c” class.

(completed 1906‒10.)

c’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38.

this class of submarines is composed of vessels of the improved “b” type. they have a submerged displacement of 320 tons and are 135 feet long and 13 ½ feet broad. the petrol motors develop 600 h.-p. and give to these vessels a speed of 14 knots an hour on the surface. the power of the electric engines was increased to 300 h.-p., giving a submerged speed of just over 9 knots an hour. the surface cruising range is 2,000 knots at the most economical speed, and the submerged endurance 100 knots at 5 knots an hour. their armament 71consists of two bow tubes with six 18-inch whitehead torpedoes; and their complement sixteen officers and men.

in the later vessels of the “c” class heavy oil is used instead of petrol, giving a great increase in power without the comparative additional weight; enabling a wider radius of action. the vessels of both the “b” and “c” classes are fitted with air-traps and safety-helmets, giving the crew a possible means of escape in the event of disaster while submerged.

the distinguishing feature of the “c” class is the sloping bow. the c.11 collided with the steamer eddystone in the north sea in 1909 and was irretrievably lost.

“d” class.

(completed 1908‒11.)

d’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

these are all modern vessels of the sea-going type, and are of considerable fighting value. they, however, differ 72slightly from each other: d.1 has a submerged displacement of 595 tons; d.2 of 600 tons; and the remaining vessels of this class of 620 tons. they have an approximate length of 150 feet and a beam of 15 feet. heavy-oil engines of 1,200 h.-p. drive them at a maximum speed of 16 knots an hour on the surface, and electric motors of 550 h.-p. give them a submerged speed of just over 10 knots an hour. all these vessels have twin-screws situated below the centre line. their cruising range on the surface is 4,000 miles, and when submerged 120 knots at 7 knots an hour. these vessels were the first to be fitted with a special and more efficient pattern of electric storage battery and a safer type of electric motor. the armament of the “d’s” consists of two bow and one stern tube with six 18-inch whitehead torpedoes. d’s 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are also fitted with a small quick-firing, high-angle gun for defence against air-craft. this gun is fixed on a disappearing 73mounting, enabling it to be quickly and almost automatically lowered into a watertight cavity in the superstructure before the submarine dives below the surface. the complement of these vessels is twenty-one officers and men.

photo, cribb, southsea.]

the british submarine “c.34.”

displacement, 320 tons; speed, 14·9 knots; armament, 2 bow torpedo tubes.

there are 37 vessels of this class, completed between 1906‒12.

“e” class.

(completed 1912‒14.)

e’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

these fine ocean-going submarines are the latest additions to the british flotillas. they have a submerged displacement of 800 tons, are 176 feet long and 22 ½ feet in beam. the heavy-oil engines of nearly 2,000 h.-p. give them a surface speed of over 16 knots, while the electric engines of 800 h.-p. drive them at a maximum speed of 10 knots an hour when submerged. their surface cruising range is 5,000 miles at economical speed, and the submerged endurance 140 knots at 8 knots an hour. in point of armament the “e’s” are far 74more powerful than their predecessors, being fitted with four tubes and carrying six of the largest and most powerful whitehead torpedoes. they are also equipped with two 3-inch quick-firing guns on high-angle disappearing mountings for defence against air-craft and hostile torpedo-boats and destroyers. they have wireless telegraphic apparatus; and, like the vessels of the “b,” “c” and “d” classes, have armoured conning towers and decks. three tall panoramic periscopes are fitted, and their high superstructures and increased buoyancy when travelling on the surface enable them to keep the sea in almost any weather.

australian submarines:

a.e.1 and a.e.2.

these vessels are exactly the same as the “e” class. the fact that they both accomplished the 13,000-mile voyage from barrow to sydney under their own power and without convoy is 75practical proof of the wide range, seaworthiness and general efficiency of the latest british naval submarines. the a.e.1 mysteriously disappeared in australian waters in october, 1914, and has not been recovered.

british submarines building.

at the commencement of the great war there were 22 british submarines in course of construction at the various shipbuilding works and naval dockyards. up to 1909 messrs. vickers ltd., had constructed all the british submarines, but in that year the vessels c.17 and c.18 were laid down at chatham dockyard. since then several other boats have been constructed there, and of those now in hand some are being built by messrs. vickers ltd. at barrow, others at messrs. scott’s shipbuilding yards at greenock, and a few by messrs. armstrong, whitworth and co. ltd. at newcastle-on-tyne, and at h.m. dockyard at chatham.

76hitherto, british submarines, although divided into classes—each of which has shown a marked improvement on the preceding class—have been all of one type—the “improved holland.” among the vessels being constructed at the opening of hostilities they were, however, no less than three different types. those being built at barrow and chatham were of the original design with modern improvements, but the submarines under construction at greenock were of the laurenti, or italian type, and those at newcastle-on-tyne of the laubeuf, or french type. in addition to this wise departure from previous practice, two of the new vessels have been given the names of nautilus and swordfish.

the haze of war has obscured these vessels, and it is impossible to say definitely which of them have taken their place in the active flotillas, and further the necessity for observing the very strictest secrecy regarding new types of 77warships at a time like the present makes it advisable to give here only the briefest particulars and not to discuss too freely the peculiarities of their design or their probable capabilities.

“f” class.

there are several vessels of this class now being constructed. they are the latest improvement of the original holland design and are sea-going submarines of wide range, high speed and great fighting power. the f.1, which was built at chatham dockyard, has a submerged displacement of 1,500 tons. heavy-oil engines of about 5,000 h.-p. give her a maximum speed of 20 knots an hour on the surface, and electric motors of 2,000 h.-p. drive her at 12 knots when submerged. the armament consists of six torpedo tubes, ten torpedoes, and two quick-firing, high-angle guns.

“v” class. “w” class. “s” class.

nautilus and swordfish.

these three classes include the 78vessels of entirely different design to those now forming the british flotillas. the “v,” or vickers’ type, of which four were under construction at the beginning of the war, are large sea-going submarines with a submerged displacement of over 1,000 tons, and a probable surface speed of 20 knots. the “w” class, of which four are being built at elswick, comprise vessels of the french laubeuf type. the “s” class, building at greenock, and four in number, are of the italian, or f.i.a.t.—laurenti type. the two named vessels—nautilus and swordfish—are large sea-going submarines of wide range and high speed. their submerged displacement is about 1,000 tons, and their speed 20 knots on the surface and 12 knots when submerged. the armament is six tubes, with eight torpedoes, and two quick-firing guns. the complement of all these large submarines is about 25 officers and men.