HMS C31

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History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom
NameHMS C31
Builder Vickers, Barrow
Laid down7 January 1909
Launched2 September 1909
Commissioned19 November 1909
FateSunk by mine, 4 January 1915
General characteristics
Class and type C-class submarine
Displacement
  • 290 long tons (290 t) surfaced
  • 320 long tons (330 t) submerged
Length142 ft 3 in (43.4 m)
Beam13 ft 7 in (4.1 m)
Draught11 ft 6 in (3.5 m)
Installed power
  • 600  bhp (450 kW) petrol
  • 300 hp (220 kW) electric
Propulsion
Speed
  • 13  kn (24 km/h; 15 mph) surfaced
  • 8 kn (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) submerged
Range910  nmi (1,690 km; 1,050 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) on the surface
Test depth100 feet (30.5 m)
Complement2 officers and 14 ratings
Armament2 × 18 in (450 mm) bow torpedo tubes
C31 alongside HMS Bonaventure 'HMS Bonaventure and submarines' RMG PW2083.jpg
C31 alongside HMS Bonaventure

HMS C31 was one of 38 C-class submarines built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She struck a mine in 1915 and sank with the loss of all hands.

Contents

Design and description

The C-class boats of the 1907–08 and subsequent Naval Programmes were modified to improve their speed, both above and below the surface. The submarine had a length of 142 feet 3 inches (43.4 m) overall, a beam of 13 feet 7 inches (4.1 m) and a mean draft of 11 feet 6 inches (3.5 m). They displaced 290 long tons (290 t) on the surface and 320 long tons (330 t) submerged. The C-class submarines had a crew of two officers and fourteen ratings. [1]

For surface running, the boats were powered by a single 12-cylinder [2] 600- brake-horsepower (447 kW) Vickers petrol engine that drove one propeller shaft. When submerged the propeller was driven by a 300-horsepower (224 kW) electric motor. [1] They could reach 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) on the surface and 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) underwater. On the surface, the C class had a range of 910 nautical miles (1,690 km; 1,050 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). [3]

The boats were armed with two 18-inch (45 cm) torpedo tubes in the bow. They could carry a pair of reload torpedoes, but generally did not as they would have to remove an equal weight of fuel in compensation. [4]

Construction and career

HMS C31 was built by Vickers, Barrow. She was laid down on 7 January 1909 and was commissioned on 19 November 1909. The boat was sunk by a mine off the Belgian coast on 4 January 1915 whilst patrolling off Zeebrugge. There were no survivors.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Gardiner & Gray, p. 87
  2. ↑ Harrison, Chapter 25
  3. ↑ Harrison, Chapters 3
  4. ↑ Harrison, Chapter 27

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References

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