Explorer (S 30)
| Built By: | Vickers (Barrow) |
| Build Group: | Explorer |
| Fate: | Decommissioned March 5, 1962 Broken Up 1965 |
Laid Down 1951
HMS Explorer had so many teething troubles that her first captain never took her to sea. However, when she eventually made an appearance, in 1958, she was impressively fast - submerged speeds of 25 knots were achieved - with retractable superstructure fittings aiding the streamlined hull-form.
Related Pages
Alan joined HMS Explorer in 'refit' at Barrow in Furness shortly before the Submarine moved from the Graving Dock to a berth at the in the Dock System at the Admiralty Development Establishment, Barrow (ADEB). The 'refit' completed in August 1959 after a slight delay owing to a fire in the Turbine Room - caused by a VSEL Coppersmith working with a blow lamp in a cramped bilge space. Alan's comment 'Nasty.'
Events
| 05-03-1955 | Launched |
| 28-11-1956 | Completed |
Comments
Comment by: Andrew Coulthard on July 2, 2017
Thank you for this interesting and detailed account of the HTP experimental submarine programme. Capt. O. J. Coulthard, my grandfather, was master of the RFA Spabeck from April 1961 and this tells us more about his career at sea.
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