HMSSelene
 HMSSelene
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMSSelene |
| Builder | Cammell Laird& Co Limited,Birkenhead |
| Laid down | 16 April 1943 |
| Launched | 24 April 1944 |
| Commissioned | 14 July 1944 |
| Fate | Sold for breaking up 1961 |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | S-classsubmarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 217 ft (66.1 m) |
| Beam | 23 ft 9 in (7.2 m) |
| Draught | 14 ft 1 in (4.3 m) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | |
| Speed |
|
| 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 | |
HMSSelenewas aS-classsubmarineof the third batch built for theRoyal Navyduring World War II. She survived the war and was sold for scrap in 1961.
Design and description
[edit]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 adraftof 14 feet 1 inch (4.3 m). Theydisplaced814 long tons (827 t) on the surface and 990 long tons (1,010 t) submerged.[1]The S-class submarines had a crew of 48 officers andratings.They had a diving depth of 350 feet (106.7 m).[2]
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.[3]They could reach 14.75knots(27.32 km/h; 16.97 mph) on the surface and 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) underwater.[1]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.[2]
Selenewas armed with six 21-inch (533 mm)torpedo tubesin thebow.She carried six reload torpedoes for a 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.[1]
Construction and career
[edit]HMSSelenebuilt byCammell Laird& Co Limited,Birkenheadandlaunchedon 24 April 1944. So far it has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the nameSelene.The boat spent most of theSecond World Warserving in theFar East,where it was used to sink five Japanese sailing vessels and threecoasters,and damage another sailing vessel and coaster.[4]It survived the war and in the early 1950s was modified to become a fast unarmed underwater target to train anti-submarine personnel. Its torpedo tubes were covered to streamline its hull, and the three external tubes (two bow, one stern) were removed, as was the gun. Itsbridgesuperstructurewas reduced to little more than a blister with a small cockpit in it, and it had only a single periscope. It operated with the Second Submarine Squadron at Portland throughout the 1950s. It was sold, arriving at Gateshead on 6 June 1961 for breaking up.
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- 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.
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