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Tarpon 1937

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate
SS174	Shark	19	Electric Boat, Groton	10.1933	21.5.1935	1.1936	sunk 11.2.1942
SS175	Tarpon	20	Electric Boat, Groton	12.1933	4.9.1935	3.1936	Naval Reserve TS 4.1947, stricken 9.1956

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	1315 / 1968
Length, m	88.4 wl 90.8 oa
Breadth, m	7.64
Draught, m	4.60
No of shafts	2
Machinery	4 Winton diesel-generators / 2 electric motors
Power, h. p.	4300 / 2085
Max speed, kts	19.5 / 8
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

Designed on basis 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 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 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 designs, developed by Bureau of construction (SS172 and 173) and Electric Boat (SS174 and 175).

Modernizations

1942 - 1943, Tarpon: 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, SS175: 8 - 533 TT (4 bow, 2 ster, 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

Shark was sunk 11.2.1942 in 120nm E from Celebes by Japanese destroyer Yamakaze. Tarpon foundered 26.8.1957 under tow for scrap.