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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
SUBMARINES
"U prewar programs" submarines (UNDINE) (3, 1938)


Photo



Ursula 1940

Ships


Name No Builder Yard No Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Undine C48 Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow   2/1937 5.10.1937 8/1938 sunk 7.1.1940
Unity C66 Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow   2/1937 16.2.1938 12.1938 collision 29.4.1940
Ursula C65 - N65, 2.1949- S... Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow   2.1937 16.2.1938 12.1938 to Soviet Union 5.1944 - 2.1949 (В-4) (V-4), BU 5.1950


Technical data


Max speed, kts, kn

11.25 / 10
Displacement standard, t

540
Displacement normal, t

630 / 730
Length, m

58.2
Breadth, m

4.90
Draught, m

4.62
No of shafts

2
Machinery

2 Paxman-Ricardo diesel-generators, 2 electric motors
Power, h. p.

615 / 825
Fuel, t

diesel oil 38
Endurance, nm(kts)

4050(10) /
Armament

3 x 1 - 12.7/62, 6 - 533 TT (4 bow, 2 ext bow, 10)

Ursula: 1 x 1 - 76/45 20cwt QF Mk II, 3 x 1 - 12.7/62, 6 - 533 TT (4 bow, 2 ext bow, 8)
Electronic equipmenttype 129 sonar
Complement

27
Diving depth operational, m60


Standard scale images


<i>Undine</i> 1939
Undine 1939


Graphics


<i>Ursula</i> 1940
Ursula 1940


Project history

These submarines were originally designed as unarmed targets for ASW training. Already after design approval it was decided to arm them with torpedoes. Fore end was redesigned for placing 4 TTs in the pressure hull and two more out of it, in a special fin. Single-hulled. Feature of this class that only electric motors were coupled with shafts and diesels used only in a role of generators. There were first British pure diesel-electric submarines.

New boats received a designation as "U" class, have appeared very successful, and better than boats of other classes suited for actions in Mediterranean and Northern Seas, however originally a class have limited to three units of the 1936 Programme.

Modernizations

about 1942 - 1943, Ursula: can carry 6 M2 mines instead of torpedoes, + type 286W or type 291W radar

2/1949, Ursula: 1 x 1 - 76/45 CP Mk V, 6 - 533 TT, type 286W or type 291W radar, type 129 sonar

Naval service

Undine was sunk 7.1.1940 in North Sea by DCs of German minesweepers М1201, М1204 and М1207. Unity was lost 29.4.1940 in collision with s/s Atle Jarl in the North Sea.