The Saphir-class submarines were a class of six submarines built in France between 1926 and 1935 for the French Navy. Most saw action during World War II for the Vichy French Navy or the Free French Naval Forces. Three were captured by Italian forces but not used.
A scale model of Saphir displayed at the Musée national de la Marine
Saphir-class submarines had a surfaced displacement of 761 long tons (773t) and a submerged displacement of 925 long tons (940t). Their dimensions were 66m (216ft 6in) long, with a beam of 7.1m (23ft 4in) and a draught of 4.3m (14ft 1in). Propulsion while surfaced was provided by two Normand-Vickers diesel motors with a total of 1,300bhp (969kW) and while submerged by two electric motors providing a total of 1,000hp (746kW) through two shafts enabling a maximum speed of 12 knots (22km/h; 14mph) while surfaced and 9 knots (17km/h; 10mph) while submerged. Their bunkers of 95 long tons (97t) of oil fuel gave them a surfaced range of 7,000 nautical miles (13,000km) at 7.5 knots (13.9km/h), and 4,000 nautical miles (7,400km) at 12 knots (22km/h) and their batteries a submerged range of 80 nautical miles (150km) at 4 knots (7.4km/h). They carried a complement of 42 men.[1][2]Saphir-class submarines could dive up to 250ft (76m).[3]
Drawing of a Saphir-class submarine. The black circles in bottom view are the vertical mine launchers
The Saphir-class submarines were designed to launch torpedoes and lay mines without surfacing. The moored contact mines they could lay contained 220 kilograms (485lb) of TNT and could be laid in up to 200 metres (656ft) of water. They were attached to the submarine's exterior under a hydrodynamic protection[clarification needed] and were jettisoned with compressed air.
Captured by Italian forces on 8 December 1942, renamed FR 116. Sunk on 6 May 1943 off Tunisia. Subsequently, salved and sold for scrap on 12 August 1947.
Laid down on the centenary of the birth of Jules Verne.[5] Captured by Italian forces on 8 December 1942, then sunk by an air attack on 31 January 1943 at Bizerte. Subsequently, salved and sold for scrap on 12 August 1947.
Used by the Allies after Operation Torch, sunk on 8 July 1944 by a British plane after being mistaken for a German U-boat at 55°27' North, 33°50' West.
During the war, five Saphir-class ships operated in the Mediterranean Sea and only Rubis operated with the Home Fleet. Later, she joined the ranks of the Free French Naval Forces.[7] During its service on the side of the Allies, Rubis was a very effective ship.[7] From April 1940 to the end of 1944, it carried out 22 mine laying operations in the waters off Norway.[7] 15 ships sank on its mines, including minesweepers, 4 small warships, and submarines. In addition, it sank one ship with torpedoes.[7] Only one ship in the Mediterranean Sea changed sides to join the Allies, Perle, which on 8 July 1944 was mistakenly sunk in the Atlantic by an Allied plane.[8]
Of the remaining submarines, Diamant was scuttled at Toulon on 27 November 1942;[9]Nautilus, Saphir and Turquoise were demobilized in Bizerte between 1941 and 1942. After the occupation of Tunis by Axis troops, they were taken over by Italians in December 1942. Saphir was renamed "FR 112", and Turquoise, "FR 116". These ships were unusable and disarmed remained in Bizerte until the end of activities in Africa. Shortly before surrendering, the Italians sank them. Only Rubis survived the war and was withdrawn from service on 4 October 1949.[7]
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