HMS L12

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HMSM L.12 and H.28 FL16246.jpg
HMS L12 and H28
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom
NameHMS L12
Builder Vickers Limited, Barrow-in-Furness
Laid down22 January 1917
Launched16 March 1918
Commissioned30 June 1918
FateSold for scrapping, 16 February 1932
General characteristics
Class and type L-class submarine
Displacement
  • 914 long tons (929 t) surfaced
  • 1,089 long tons (1,106 t) submerged
Length238 ft 7 in (72.7 m)
Beam23 ft 6 in (7.2 m)
Draught13 ft 3 in (4.0 m)
Installed power
  • 2,400  bhp (1,800 kW) (diesel)
  • 1,600 hp (1,200 kW) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) surfaced
  • 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) submerged
Range3,800  nmi (7,000 km; 4,400 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) on the surface
Test depth150 feet (45.7 m)
Complement38
Armament

HMS L12 was a L-class submarine built for the Royal Navy during World War I. She was one of five boats in the class to be fitted as a minelayer. The boat survived the war and was sold for scrap in 1932.

Contents

Design and description

L9 and its successors were enlarged to accommodate 21-inch (53.3 cm) torpedoes and more fuel. The submarine had a length of 238 feet 7 inches (72.7 m) overall, a beam of 23 feet 6 inches (7.2 m) and a mean draft of 13 feet 3 inches (4.0 m). [1] They displaced 914 long tons (929 t) on the surface and 1,089 long tons (1,106 t) submerged. The L-class submarines had a crew of 38 officers and ratings. [2]

For surface running, the boats were powered by two 12-cylinder Vickers [3] 1,200- brake-horsepower (895 kW) diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft. When submerged each propeller was driven by a 600-horsepower (447 kW) electric motor. [1] They could reach 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) on the surface and 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) underwater. On the surface, the L class had a range of 3,800 nautical miles (7,000 km; 4,400 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). [4]

The boats were armed with four 21-inch torpedo tubes in the bow and two 18-inch (45 cm) in broadside mounts. They carried four reload torpedoes for the 21-inch tubes for a grand total of ten torpedoes of all sizes. [5] They were also armed with a 4-inch (102 mm) deck gun. [2] L12 was fitted with 16 vertical mine chutes in her saddle tanks and carried one mine per chute. [1]

Construction and career

HMS L12 was built by Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness. She was laid down on 22 January 1917 and was commissioned on 30 June 1918. The boat collided with the submarine HMS H47 off Milford Haven, Wales on 9 July 1929. She was able to surface and returned to Milford Haven; three sailors died. HMS L12 was sold to John Cashmore Ltd on 16 February 1932 for scrapping at Newport.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Gardiner & Gray, p. 93
  2. 1 2 Akermann, p. 165
  3. Harrison, Chapter 25
  4. Harrison, Chapters 3
  5. Harrison, Chapter 27

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References