British F-class submarine

The F-class submarine was built for the Royal Navy as a coastal submarine based on the doubled hulled V-class submarine (World War I) with very few minor improvements. The only important improvement was the addition of a stern torpedo tube. The F class were ordered as a successor to the E-class submarine, but only three were built out of the ten ordered, the first F1 at Chatham.

Class overview
Operators Royal Navy
Built1913-1916
In service1915–1922
Completed3
Retired3
General characteristics
TypeSubmarine
Displacement
  • 353 long tons (359 t) surfaced
  • 525 long tons (533 t) submerged
Length151 ft (46.0 m)
Beam16 ft 1.25 in (4.91 m)
Draught10 ft 7 in (3.23 m)
Propulsion2 shaft diesels, 2 electric motors, 900bhp/400shp
Speed
  • 14.5 knots (26.9 km/h; 16.7 mph) surfaced
  • 8.75 knots (16.21 km/h; 10.07 mph) submerged
Range3,000 nmi (5,600 km) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Complement19
Armament

During World War I, the F-class submarines were primarily used for coastal defence. All three survived the war and ended their service as training boats at Campbeltown. F1 and F3 were scrapped in 1920, F2 was sold in 1922.

Boats

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References

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  • 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. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • Preston, Antony (2001). The Royal Navy submarine service : a centennial history. London: Conway Maritime. ISBN 978-0851778914.
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