NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Odin	P84 - N84		Chatham DYd	7.1927	5.5.1928	12.1929	sunk 13.6.1940
Olympus	P35 - N35		Beardmore, Dalmuir	4.1927	11.12.1928	6.1930	sunk 8.5.1942
Orpheus	P46 - N46		Beardmore, Dalmuir	4.1927	26.2.1929	9.1930	sunk 19.6.1940
Osiris	P67 - N67		Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow	5.1927	19.5.1928	2.1929	BU 9.1946
Oswald	P58 - N58		Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow	5.1927	19.6.1928	5.1929	sunk 1.8.1940
Otus	P92 - N92		Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow	5.1927	31.8.1928	7.1929	scuttled 9.1946

Technical data

Max speed, kts, kn	17.5 / 8
Displacement standard, t	1475
Displacement normal, t	1781 / 2038
Length, m	86.4
Breadth, m	9.12
Draught, m	4.90
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 Admiralty diesels / 2 electric motors
Power, h. p.	4520 / 1390
Fuel, t	diesel oil 174
Endurance, nm(kts)	5180(11.4) / 50(4)
Armament	1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk IV, 8 - 533 TT (6 bow, 2 stern, 14)
Electronic equipment	type 118 sonar
Complement	53
Diving depth operational, m	95

Standard scale images

Project history

Design of "O" class submarines was developed on the basis of "L" class. New ships intended for service in the Far East and so they required increased endurance and improved seaworthiness in comparison with prototype. Lead Oberon had saddle-tank construction and was built under the 1923 Programme, operational diving depth was 60 m, maximal was 155 m. Oil fuel tanks were out of a pressure hull and were leaked at big depth. It was possible to be saved of this lack during repair, when riveted tanks were been replaced by welded (also fuel stowage has increased to 186t). Designed speed was 15/9kts, but it has not been even reached. Oberon became the first British submarine with sonar provided even at designing. Almost simultaneously with Oberon the order for two submarines was given out by the Australian government. Design of these boats was developed by firm Vickers-Armstrong, and they favourably differed from Admiralty designed Oberon. At the expense of minor alteration of hull lines and form of fore end Australian submarines have reached designed speed.

6 more units have built under the 1926 Programme (3rd group), their design has been developed on the basis of the Australian ships. A little increased dimensions and usage of more powerful diesels allowed to increase surface speed. Besides, an operational diving depth have increased to 95m. Stern TT had no spare torpedoes.

Modernizations

1930s, all: - 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk IV; + 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XII

1942 - 1943, all survived: + 1 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, type 286W or type 291W radar

1/1946, Osiris, Otus: 1 x 1 - 102/40 S Mk I, 1 x 1 - 20/70 Mk IIA S/M, 8 - 533 TT, type 286W or type 291W radar, type 118 sonar

Naval service

Odin was sunk by Italian destroyer Strale 13.6.1940 in the central Mediterranean. Orpheus was sunk by Italian destroyer Turbine at Tobruk 19.6.1940. Oswald was sunk 1.8.1940 by Italian destroyer Vivaldi in Mediterranean. Olympus was lost on a mine off Malta 8.5.1942.