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Porpoise 1942

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate
SS172	Porpoise		Portsmouth N Yd	10.1933	20.6.1935	8.1935	Naval Reserve TS 5.1947, stricken 8.1956
SS173	Pike		Portsmouth N Yd	12.1933	12.9.1935	12.1935	Naval Reserve TS 9.1946, stricken 2.1956

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	1316 / 1934
Length, m	88.1 wl 91.8 oa
Breadth, m	7.59
Draught, m	4.29
No of shafts	2
Machinery	4 Winton diesel-generators / 2 electric motors
Power, h. p.	4300 / 2085
Max speed, kts	19 / 10
Fuel, t	diesel oil 347
Endurance, nm(kts)	10000 (10) / 42 (5)
Armament	1 x 1 - 76/50 Mk 17/18, 2 x 1 - 12.7/90, 6 - 533 TT (16, 4 bow, 2 stern)
Electronic equipment	QC, JK sonars
Complement	54
Diving depth operational, m	75

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Project was designed on basis of construction of Cachalot class submarines. Dimensions and displacement were notably increased, that allowed to install more powerful diesels and make engine room more spaciously (in comparison with very tight and inconvenient for diesels maintenance engine room on Cachalot). Abandoning from rigid connection of diesel with propeller shaft and transition to an electrical drive became an important innovation of this class also. Introduction of generators on diesel shafts was partly indemnified by abandoning from using of auxiliary diesel-generator serving only for battery recharging. New scheme ensured much more flexible machinery usage, allowing significant expedite process of recharging or to recharge battery almost on full speed. Advantage of diesel-electric gear was showed as in appreciable decrease in vibration.

On boats of this class the special attention has been given to improvement of habitability conditions, in particular, for the first time they received air conditioners. Double-hulled.

Financing of building of this class was conducted within the limits of National Industrial Recovery Act accepted in 1933. There existed two detailed projects, developed by Bureau of construction (SS172 and 173) and Electric Boat (SS174 and 175).

Modernizations

1942 - 1943, both: CT was rebuilt; - 2 x 1 - 12.7/90; + 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, 2 - 533 TT (ext stern, 18 torpedoes totally), SD, SJ radars

1.1946, SS172, 173: 8 - 533 TT (4 bow, 2 stern, 2 ext stern, 18), 1 x 1 - 76/50 Mk 11, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, SD, SJ radars; QC, JK sonars

Naval service

No significant events.