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GYMNÔTE submarine (1889)


Photo



Gymnôte

Ships


Names Builders Commissioned Losses Transfers Discarding

Q001 Gymnôte

Arsenal de Toulon: Gymnôte

11/1888: Gymnôte

none

none

5/1908: Gymnôte



100 - 1000 t displacement/ BRT tonnage vessels


Names

Q001 Gymnôte

Builders

Arsenal de Toulon: Gymnôte

Commissioned

11/1888: Gymnôte

Losses

none

Transfers

none

Discarding

5/1908: Gymnôte


Technical data


Displacement standard, t 
Displacement normal, t30 / 31
Length, m

17.8

Breadth, m

1.80

Draught, m

1.68

No of shafts

1

Machinery

1 Krebs electric motor

Power, h. p.

33

Max speed, kts

7.3 / 4.3

Fuel, t

battery only

Endurance, nm(kts)65(5) / 25(4.3)
Armament

2 - 356 TC

Complement5
Diving depth operational, m20


Graphics


<i>Gymnôte</i>
Gymnôte
<i>Gymnôte </i>after modernization <i>Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.</i>
Gymnôte after modernization Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.


Project history

Single-hull steel submarine boat designed by Gustave Zédé (1825-91); carried a detachable lead keel. She was ordered on 22 November 1886. Electric power was supplied from battery of 204 cells (total weight 9.5t). Gymnôte proved a great success, making some 2000 successful dives during her existence. Incorporation of hydroplanes (three a side) provided the solution which was to become standard in all subsequent submarines. Gymnôte could have been inspired by the locomotive torpedo which Robert Whitehead had invented in 1866. Gymnôte was essentially an experimental boat. Torpedoes were carried in drop-collars, one on each beam.

Modernizations

1898: displacement 33.2t, length 18.4m, Sautter-Harle engine 90hp, raised conning tower and new battery.

Naval service

She sank on 19 June 1907 at Toulon in dock and was refloated.