During 1943 and 1944, Vickers built six XT-craft submarines for training purposes. Having an endurance of only 500 miles at 4 knots, the XT-boats were a simplified X5 class submarine without the side cargo-release gear, night periscope or automatic helmsman. In addition, their day periscope, projector compass and air-induction trunk were fixed in the 'up' position.
Twelve more vessels, ordered in 1943 from Broadbents of Huddersfield, were cancelled before completion. The six Barrow-boats were scrapped at the end of the war.
My first glimpse of a Midget Submarine was about August 1942 when my then foreman in the Submarine Dock sent me to have my photograph taken to form a special pass to enter a secure area set in the North Shop (formerly the Gun Shop and now the Nuclear Build Shop) to work on a special project. I had no idea what the project was and doubted whether anyone else in working in my area did either.
Bill's prime Cause Celebre has resulted in his being included in the Guinness Book of Records as having made the deepest unaided ascent from a sunken submarine. He has other claims worthy of recognition, he was among those officers and men who trained many of the crews who joined the Twelfth Submarine Flotilla during WW2. This Flotilla consisted of X Craft and Two Man Chariots. It was based at Port Bannantyne on the Isle of Bute. The HQ was known as HMS Varbel.
Further Reading |
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| X3 to X54 |
Keith Hall The X and XE-Class submarines were conceived during the Second World War: around 51ft (16m) long, they were designed to be towed by a mother submarine and use their small size to complete stealth missions, such as attacking harbours and performing reconnaissance. Although they would not begin active service until 1942, the submarine crews achieved quite the record, racking up 167 honours between them, including four Victoria Crosses. |
| Above Us the Waves |
C.E.T. Warren / James Benson It was the Italians who pioneered the use of two-man human torpedoes or 'chariots', and their attacks on ships of the Royal Navy in Alexandria Harbour in 1941 caused Winston Churchill to write to the Chief of Staffs committee to enquire what was being done to emulate these daring attacks. |
Tally-Ho (P 317) |
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| Class: | 1935 - 1970: T Class |
| Built By: | |
| Build Group: | T 3 |
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Fate: Scrapped in February 1967 at Briton Ferry. |
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The design of the Type XXI U-Boat was a radical step in the history of submarine development; indeed, the vessel could be said to have been the prototype of the modern conventionally-powered submarine
20 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.
My first glimpse of a Midget Submarine was about August 1942 when my then foreman in the Submarine Dock sent me to have my photograph taken to form a special pass to enter a secure area set in the North Shop (formerly the Gun Shop and now the Nuclear Build Shop) to work on a special project. I had no idea what the project was and doubted whether anyone else in working in my area did either.
Bill's prime Cause Celebre has resulted in his being included in the Guinness Book of Records as having made the deepest unaided ascent from a sunken submarine. He has other claims worthy of recognition, he was among those officers and men who trained many of the crews who joined the Twelfth Submarine Flotilla during WW2. This Flotilla consisted of X Craft and Two Man Chariots. It was based at Port Bannantyne on the Isle of Bute. The HQ was known as HMS Varbel.
Further Reading |
|
| X3 to X54 |
|
Keith Hall The X and XE-Class submarines were conceived during the Second World War: around 51ft (16m) long, they were designed to be towed by a mother submarine and use their small size to complete stealth missions, such as attacking harbours and performing reconnaissance. Although they would not begin active service until 1942, the submarine crews achieved quite the record, racking up 167 honours between them, including four Victoria Crosses. |
| Above Us the Waves |
|
C.E.T. Warren / James Benson It was the Italians who pioneered the use of two-man human torpedoes or 'chariots', and their attacks on ships of the Royal Navy in Alexandria Harbour in 1941 caused Winston Churchill to write to the Chief of Staffs committee to enquire what was being done to emulate these daring attacks. |
Tally-Ho (P 317) |
|
| Class: | 1935 - 1970: T Class |
| Built By: | |
| Build Group: | T 3 |
|
Fate: Scrapped in February 1967 at Briton Ferry. |
|
The design of the Type XXI U-Boat was a radical step in the history of submarine development; indeed, the vessel could be said to have been the prototype of the modern conventionally-powered submarine
20 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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