S1 1917
| Name | No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| S1 (ex-Swordfish), 7/1917 Swordfish | Scotts, Greenock | 2/1914 | 18/3/1916 | 4/1916 | patrol escort 8/1917, BU 7/1922 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
932 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
1105 |
|
Length, m |
70.5 |
|
Breadth, m |
7.00 |
|
Draught, m |
4.50 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
Parsons geared steam turbines, 1 Yarrow boiler / 2 electric motors |
|
Power, h. p. |
4000 / 1400 |
|
Max speed, kn |
18 / 10 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil |
|
Armament |
2 - 533 TT (bow, 2), 4 - 450 TT (beam, 8), 2 x 1 - 76/45 QF Mk I HA |
|
Complement |
~18 |
| Diving depth operational | 30 |
Ship project history: First turbine submarine, ordered by Royal Navy in August 1913, has appeared unsuccessful. She was double-hulled at 75% of the length, small folding funnel had electrical control and sealed hydraulically by the cover. 76mm guns had disappearing mountings under watertight covers. Submarine had new safety features: safety buoys, telephone buoy, blowing arrangement and emergency high-pressure air pipeline to all compartments.
Modernizations: (6 - 8/1917, Portsmouth DYd): submarine was converted to surface patrol ship. New raised forecastle with new wheeling house were built up, new fixed funnel was taller. Steam turbine machinery remained but batteries are replaced by ballast and DC racks are fitted instead of TTs. New armament consisted of 2 x 1 - 76/40 QF Mk I, DCR
Naval service: She was commissioned 28/4/1916 as S1 and accepted by fleet in July after trials; trials showed a tendency to loss stability when surfacing and submarine was laid up in January 1917. Reconstruction of submarine to surface patrol ship has begun 27/6/1917, she was renamed Swordfish in July. She become operational again 10/8/1917 but did not participate in operations, become operational only in January 1918 and served as tender.
Swordfish 1916
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-10