HMSSaga

HMSSaga
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMSSaga
Ordered	7 April 1943
Builder	Cammell Laird& Co Limited,Birkenhead
Laid down	5 April 1944
Launched	14 March 1945
Commissioned	14 June 1945
Fate	Sold to thePortuguese Navyin 11 October 1948, and renamed NRPNáutilo
Badge
Portugal
Name	NRPNáutilo
Acquired	11 October 1948
Fate	Placed on disposal list in 1969
General characteristics
Class and type	S-class submarine
Displacement	814 long tons (827 t) surfaced 990 long tons (1,006 t) submerged
Length	217 ft (66.1 m)
Beam	23 ft 9 in (7.2 m)
Draught	14 ft 1 in (4.3 m)
Installed power	1,900bhp(1,400 kW) (diesel) 1,300 hp (970 kW) (electric)
Propulsion	2 ×diesel engines 2 ×electric motors
Speed	14.75knots(27.32 km/h; 16.97 mph) surfaced 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) submerged
Range	7,500nmi(13,900 km; 8,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surface; 120 nmi (220 km; 140 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged
Test depth	350 feet (106.7 m)
Complement	48
Armament	6 × bow21 in (533 mm)torpedo tubes 1 ×4-inch (102 mm)deck gun

HMSSagawas aS-class submarineof the third batch built for theRoyal Navyduring World War II. She survived the war and was sold to Portugal.

Design and description

The last 17 boats of the third batch were significantly modified from the earlier boats. They had a stronger hull, carried more fuel and their armament was revised. The submarines had a length of 217 feet (66.1 m)overall,abeamof 23 feet 9 inches (7.2 m) and adraughtof 14 feet 1 inch (4.3 m). Theydisplaced814 long tons (827 t) on the surface and 990 long tons (1,006 t) submerged.The S-class submarines had a crew of 48 officers andratings.They had a diving depth of 350 feet (106.7 m).

For surface running, the boats were powered by two 950-brake-horsepower(708 kW)diesel engines,each driving onepropeller shaft.When submerged each propeller was driven by a 650-horsepower (485 kW)electric motor.They could reach 14.75knots(27.32 km/h; 16.97 mph) on the surface and 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) underwater.On the surface, the third batch boats had a range of 7,500nautical miles(13,900 km; 8,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) and 120 nmi (220 km; 140 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged.

Sagawas armed with six21 inch (533 mm)torpedo tubesin the bow. She carried six reload torpedoes for a grand total of a dozen torpedoes. Twelveminescould be carried in lieu of the torpedoes. The boat was also equipped with a4-inch (102 mm)deck gun.

Construction and career

HMSSagabuilt by Cammell Laird and launched on 14 March 1945. Thus far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the nameSaga,after the NorseSagas.Built as theSecond World Warwas drawing to a close, she did not see much action. On 10 February 1946Sagacollided with, and sank, the trawlerGirl Lenain the English Channel.Sagawas sold to the Portuguese Navy in 1948 and renamed NRPNáutilo.

References

• Akermann, Paul (2002).Encyclopaedia of British Submarines 1901–1955(reprint of the 1989 ed.). Penzance, Cornwall: Periscope Publishing.ISBN1-904381-05-7.
• Bagnasco, Erminio (1977).Submarines of World War Two.Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.ISBN0-87021-962-6.
• Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980).Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946.Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press.ISBN0-85177-146-7.
• 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.
• McCartney, Innes (2006).British Submarines 1939–1945.New Vanguard. Vol. 129. Oxford, UK: Osprey.ISBN1-84603-007-2.