NAVYPEDIA

Photo

S3 1927

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate
SS107	S3		Portsmouth N Yd	8.1917	21.12.1918	1.1919	stricken 1.1937
SS109	S4		Portsmouth N Yd	12.1917	27.8.1919	11.1919	stricken 1.1936
SS110	S5		Portsmouth N Yd	12.1917	10.11.1919	3.1920	foundered 1.9.1920
SS111	S6		Portsmouth N Yd	1.1918	23.12.1919	5.1920	stricken 1.1937
SS112	S7		Portsmouth N Yd	1.1918	5.2.1920	7.1920	stricken 1.1937
SS113	S8		Portsmouth N Yd	11.1918	21.4.1920	10.1920	stricken 1.1937
SS114	S9		Portsmouth N Yd	1.1919	17.6.1920	2.1921	stricken 1.1937
SS115	S10		Portsmouth N Yd	9.1919	1.12.1920	9.1922	stricken 1.1936
SS116	S11		Portsmouth N Yd	12/1919	7.2.1921	1.1923	stricken 10.1945
SS117	S12		Portsmouth N Yd	1/1920	4.8.1921	4.1923	stricken 5.1945
SS118	S13		Portsmouth N Yd	2/1920	20.10.1921	7.1923	stricken 10.1945
SS119	S14		Lake, Bridgeport	12/1917	22.10.1919	2.1921	stricken 5.1945
SS120	S15		Lake, Bridgeport	12/1917	8.3.1920	1.1921	stricken 6.1946
SS121	S16		Lake, Bridgeport	3/1918	23.12.1919	12.1920	stricken 10.1944
SS122	S17		Lake, Bridgeport	3/1918	22.5.1920	3.1921	stricken 11.1944

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	SS107: 875 / 1088 SS109 - 122: 876 / 1092
Length, m	70.4
Breadth, m	6.70
Draught, m	4.00
No of shafts	2
Machinery	SS107, 109-114: 2 NLSE diesels / 2 electric motors SS115-122: 2 MAN diesels / 2 electric motors
Power, h. p.	SS107: 1400 / 1200 SS109 - 122: 2000 / 1200
Max speed, kts	15 / 11
Fuel, t	diesel oil 148
Endurance, nm(kts)	5000 (10)
Armament	SS107, 109 - 118: 1 x 1 - 102/50 Mk IX, 5 - 533 TT (4 bow, 1 stern, 14) SS119 - 122: 1 x 1 - 102/50 Mk IX, 4 - 533 TT (bow, 12)
Electronic equipment	SC sonar
Complement	38
Diving depth operational, m	60

Graphics

Project history

The further development of R class submarines. They were built under three notably differed designs developed by Holland, Lake and Bureau of construction. After the acquisition of these designs by General board in 1917 one submarine was built under each of them as "prototype" (S1, 2 and 3 respectively). Lake variant (S2) appeared unsuccessful, and later Lake built submarines under Bureau design.

Serial building was developed under two designs: 24 submarines (S18-41) by Holland and 14 (S4-17) by Bureau. They were followed by 10 almost same boats of the second series (S42-47 by Holland and S48-51 by Bureau).

The basic difference between Holland and Bureau designs consisted in a hull construction: in the first case it was fulfilled single-hulled, in second double-hulled. The diving depth was identical. Submarines built by Lake Torpedo Boat, had additional stern TT. As when these submarines were designed, an opinion about necessity of providing of the highest submerged speed was dominated, CT on them were fulfilled as much as possible streamlined. On trials "prototypes" demonstrated outstanding results, achieved 12.5 to 13kts submerged. First World War experience, however, has shown, that superfluous 2-3kts are not so necessary in comparison with safety of crew, therefore already during completion "serial" submarines received less streamlined, but much more convenient CTs.

Though 'S' class submarines notably exceeded the predecessors on the majority of characteristics, naval authorities in 1925 recognized them as unsuccessful because of insufficient endurance for Pacific service.

Modernizations

1939-1940, all survived: + 1 x 1 - 12.7/90, JK sonar

1940s, most survived: - SC sonar; + SD radar, QB or QC sonars

1.1946, SS120: 4 - 533 TT (bow, 12), 1 x 1 - 102/50 Mk 12, 1 x 1 - 12.7/90, SD radar, QB or QC, JK sonars

Naval service

S5 was accidentally foundered in submerged position 1.9.1920. S16 13.7.1942 was erroneously damaged at coast of Panama by American aircraft. She was laid up to reserve 4.10.1944 and sunk as target 3.4.1945 off Key West (Florida).