NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Gymnôte

Ships

Names	Builders	Commissioned	Losses	Transfers	Discarding
Q001 Gymnôte	Arsenal de Toulon: Gymnôte	11/1888: Gymnôte	none	none	5/1908: Gymnôte

100 - 1000 t displacement/ BRT tonnage vessels

Names

Q001 Gymnôte

Builders

Arsenal de Toulon: Gymnôte

Commissioned

11/1888: Gymnôte

Losses

none

Transfers

none

Discarding

5/1908: Gymnôte

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	30 / 31
Length, m	17.8
Breadth, m	1.80
Draught, m	1.68
No of shafts	1
Machinery	1 Krebs electric motor
Power, h. p.	33
Max speed, kts	7.3 / 4.3
Fuel, t	battery only
Endurance, nm(kts)	65(5) / 25(4.3)
Armament	2 - 356 TC
Complement	5
Diving depth operational, m	20

Graphics

Project history

Single-hull steel submarine boat designed by Gustave Zédé (1825-91); carried a detachable lead keel. She was ordered on 22 November 1886. Electric power was supplied from battery of 204 cells (total weight 9.5t). Gymnôte proved a great success, making some 2000 successful dives during her existence. Incorporation of hydroplanes (three a side) provided the solution which was to become standard in all subsequent submarines. Gymnôte could have been inspired by the locomotive torpedo which Robert Whitehead had invented in 1866. Gymnôte was essentially an experimental boat. Torpedoes were carried in drop-collars, one on each beam.

Modernizations

1898: displacement 33.2t, length 18.4m, Sautter-Harle engine 90hp, raised conning tower and new battery.

Naval service

She sank on 19 June 1907 at Toulon in dock and was refloated.