NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Nautilus 1917

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
N1 (ex-Nautilus)	IAC, 20		Vickers, Barrow	3/1913	31.12.1914	10/1917	sold 6.1922

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	1441 / 2026
Length, m	78.8
Breadth, m	7.92
Draught, m	5.41
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 12-cyl Vickers diesels / 2 electric motors
Power, h. p.	3700 / 1000
Max speed, kts	17 / 10
Fuel, t	diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)	5300(11) / 72(3)
Armament	1 x 1 - 76/30 10cwt QF Mk I, 8 - 450 TT (2 bow, 4 beam, 2 stern, 16)
Complement	42
Diving depth operational, m	30

Graphics

Project history

In reply to the 1912 Submarine Committee's recommendation that an overseas submarine be built, displacing 1000t and capable of 20kts on the surface, Vickers produced a design. Unfortunately their conclusion was that 17kts was the maximum to be hoped for, while displacement would be at least 1270t. The Admiralty was disappointed at this pessimistic view, but realized that Vickers had far more experience with diesels than any other builder, and even that experience was limited to four years' running with A13 and three years with D1. The FIAT company, when approached through Scott's, agreed with Vickers and were most reluctant to guarantee even the 1850bhp proposed by Vickers for their new 12-cyl diesel. They suggested instead a steam turbine installation, which was rejected but used subsequently in Swordfish. Vickers were given a provisional order in October 1912 (covering design work)and laid the keel in March 1913, a month before the official order was received. As predicted development of the big diesel proved very slow, particularly under wartime conditions, and although she was launched at the end of 1914 she was not completed until October 1917 (having been numbered N1 in June). Although nominally in service with the 6th Flotilla at Portsmouth she never became operational and was used as a depot ship, supplying power to other submarines. This apparent failure conceals the fact that she was a giant step forward, not only in size but in power. The experience provided useful data for future developments.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

Submarine was never actually operational and served mostly as a depot ship and recharging plant.