| Built By: | Scotts (Clyde) |
| Build Group: | Sword |
| Fate: | Scrapped in July 1922. |
An experimental submarine built in the hope of achieving a speed of 20 knots by using the steam turbine rejected from HMS Nautilus.
This submarine was developed from a design prepared for the Royal Navy by the Italian submarine designer Cesare Laurenti, whose designs were at that time in use by several navies.
HMS Swordfish was renamed HMS S1 on 1 April 1916. Captained by Commander Geoffrey Layton, she was treated as an experimental vessel and regarded as impossible to make into an effective warship, but much was learned about the operation of steam submarines, making possible the subsequent design of the steam-powered K class.
Between 27 June 1917 and 24 January 1918 was converted to a surface patrol vessel, reverting back to being named HMS Swordfish in July 1917.
Chapter 5 - Double-Hull Submarines
The Development of HM Submarines from Holland 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930)
Chapter 7: Double-Hull Overseas Types - Nautilus, Swordfish (1913), G & J Classes
The Development of HM Submarines from Holland 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930)
| Length overall | 231 ft 6 inch |
| Beam | 23 ft |
| Depth | 16 ft 9 inch |
| Displacement | 932 tons (surface) |
| 1470 tons (submerged) | |
| Speed | 18 knots (surface) |
| 10 knots (submerged) | |
| Propulsion | 2-shaft steam turbine, 2 electric motors, 3750shp/1400shp |
| Endurance | 3,000 nautical miles at 8.5 knots |
| Armament | 2 x 12pdr guns |
| 2 x 21 inch torpedo tubes (bow) + 2 torpedoes | |
| 4 x 18 inch torpedo tubes (beam) + 8 torpedoes | |
| Oerlikon cannon | |
| 3 x 0.303 inch machine-guns | |
| Complement | 18 |
| Class: | 1966 - 1994: Valiant Class |
| Built By: | Vickers (Barrow) |
| Build Group: | SSN 2 |
| Fate: | |
| Laid Up in Devonport. Valiant, was decommissioned at Devonport in 1994 due to cracks being discovered in the primary to secondary cooling system. | |
Part of the military documentary series examining each aspect of the armed forces.
This volume looks at the history and role of the submarine in the modern navy. Starting out as experimental oddities in the American Civil War, the most advanced submarines in the present day hold a crew of several hundred, can remain at sea for a year at a time, and are capable of launching dozens of thermonuclear missles at any spot in the world.
13 pages added or updated in the last Array month
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Please Note: Donations made using this option go directly to the site owner and not to the Submariners Association.
Thankyou for your support.
| Length overall | 231 ft 6 inch |
| Beam | 23 ft |
| Depth | 16 ft 9 inch |
| Displacement | 932 tons (surface) |
| 1470 tons (submerged) | |
| Speed | 18 knots (surface) |
| 10 knots (submerged) | |
| Propulsion | 2-shaft steam turbine, 2 electric motors, 3750shp/1400shp |
| Endurance | 3,000 nautical miles at 8.5 knots |
| Armament | 2 x 12pdr guns |
| 2 x 21 inch torpedo tubes (bow) + 2 torpedoes | |
| 4 x 18 inch torpedo tubes (beam) + 8 torpedoes | |
| Oerlikon cannon | |
| 3 x 0.303 inch machine-guns | |
| Complement | 18 |
| Class: | 1966 - 1994: Valiant Class |
| Built By: | Vickers (Barrow) |
| Build Group: | SSN 2 |
| Fate: | |
| Laid Up in Devonport. Valiant, was decommissioned at Devonport in 1994 due to cracks being discovered in the primary to secondary cooling system. | |
Part of the military documentary series examining each aspect of the armed forces.
This volume looks at the history and role of the submarine in the modern navy. Starting out as experimental oddities in the American Civil War, the most advanced submarines in the present day hold a crew of several hundred, can remain at sea for a year at a time, and are capable of launching dozens of thermonuclear missles at any spot in the world.
13 pages added or updated in the last Array month
Please help to maintain this site by reporting any Errors, Broken Links, Information or Site Issues on this page using this button
If you find this site useful, please consider supporting my work with a small Donation.
Please Note: Donations made using this option go directly to the site owner and not to the Submariners Association.
Thankyou for your support.
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