British D-class submarine
 HMSD1
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | D-class |
| Builders | |
| Operators |  Royal Navy |
| Preceded by | C class |
| Succeeded by | E class |
| Completed | 8 |
| Lost | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Submarine |
| Displacement | 483tonssurfaced / 595 tons submerged |
| Length | 163.0 ft (49.7 m) (oa) |
| Beam | 13.6 ft (4.1 m) (oa) |
| Propulsion | 550 hp (410 kW) electric 1750hpdiesel twin screws |
| Speed | 14.0knsurfaced / 10.0 (design) 9.0 (service) submerged |
| Range | 2500nmiat 10 kn, surface / 45 nmi at 5 kn, submerged |
| Complement | 25 |
| Armament |
|
TheD-class submarinewas theRoyal Navy's firstclassofsubmarinescapable of operating significantly beyond coastal waters. They were also the first boats to be fitted withwireless transmitters.Ten were laid down between 1907 and 1910, though only 8 were completed as D-class boats. The final two hulls were completed asBritish E-class submarine.
Design and description
[edit]The patrol submarines evolved from theC-class boats.They were designed to be propelled by diesel motors on the surface to avoid the problems with petrol engines experienced with theA class.These boats were designed for foreign service with an endurance of 2,500nautical miles(4,600 km; 2,900 mi) at 10knots(19 km/h; 12 mph) on the surface and much improved living conditions for a larger crew.
D-class boats were fitted with twin screws for greater manoeuvrability and were fitted withsaddle tanks.The D class were the first submarines to be equipped with deck guns forward of theconning towerbeginning withD6.Also, reserve buoyancy was increased to 20.6%. Armament also included three 18-inch (460 mm)torpedo tubes(2 vertically in the bow and 1 in the stern). The D class was also the first class of British submarines to have standard radio fitted. The aerial was attached to the mast of the conning tower that was lowered before diving.
With their enlarged bridge structure the boat profile was recognisably that of the modern submarine. The D-class submarines were considered to be so innovative that the prototype,D1,was built in utmost secrecy in a securely guarded building shed. She was launched at Barrow with equal secrecy, with only departmental heads and a few officers from the cruiserHMSMercury,that was currently in dock being present. Once moved to the fitting out berth, she was once again screened from view.
The boats cost between £79,910 and £89,410 each excluding the deck gun.
Operations
[edit]The D class were based atHarwich,Immingham,BlythandDover.Their wartime role was to sink German warships. In the latter stages ofWorld War Ithe D class were used for training crews based atPortsmouth.
During World War I the boats patrolled theNorth Seaand theHeligoland Bight,and protected cross channel troopships. During the war, four boats (D2,D3,D5,andD6) were lost, and the remainder (D4,D7,andD8) were paid off in July 1919.
Boats
[edit]
Eight D-class boats were built:
There were plans for a further two,D9andD10,but these were launched at Chatham Dockyard asHMSE1andHMSE2.
See also
[edit]- Not to be confused with theUnited States D-class submarineof 1909-1910.
References
[edit]Works cited
[edit]- Akermann, Paul (2002).Encyclopaedia of British Submarines 1901–1955(reprint of the 1989 ed.). Penzance, Cornwall: Periscope Publishing.ISBN1-904381-05-7.
- Colledge, J. J.;Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969].Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy(Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing.ISBN978-1-86176-281-8.
- Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal, eds. (1985).Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921.Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.ISBN0-85177-245-5.
- Harrison, A. N. (January 1979)."The Development of HM Submarines From Holland No. 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930) (BR3043)".RN Subs.Retrieved27 September2022.
External links
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