HMS Orpheus (S11)

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Hms orpheus s11.jpg
HMS Orpheus
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom
NameHMS Orpheus
Builder Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness
Laid down16 April 1959
Launched17 November 1959
Commissioned25 November 1960
Identification Pennant number: S11
FateScrapped, 1994
General characteristics as designed
Class and type Oberon-class submarine
Displacement
  • 1,610 tons standard
  • 2,030 tons full load surfaced
  • 2,410 tons full load submerged
Length
Beam26.5 feet (8.1 m)
Draught18 feet (5.5 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Admiralty Standard Range 16 VMS diesel generators
  • 2 × 3,000 shaft horsepower (2,200 kW) electric motors
  • 2 shafts
Speed
  • 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) submerged
  • 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced
Complement68
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Type 186 and Type 187 sonars
  • I-band surface search radar
Armament
  • 8 × 21-inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes (6 forward, 2 aft)
  • 24 torpedoes

HMS Orpheus was an Oberon-class submarine of the Royal Navy.

Contents

Design and construction

The Oberon class was a direct follow on of the Porpoise-class, with the same dimensions and external design, but updates to equipment and internal fittings, and a higher grade of steel used for fabrication of the pressure hull. [1]

As designed for British service, the Oberon-class submarines were 241 feet (73 m) in length between perpendiculars and 295.2 feet (90.0 m) in length overall, with a beam of 26.5 feet (8.1 m), and a draught of 18 feet (5.5 m). [2] Displacement was 1,610 tons standard, 2,030 tons full load when surfaced, and 2,410 tons full load when submerged. [2] Propulsion machinery consisted of 2 Admiralty Standard Range 16 VMS diesel generators, and two 3,000 shaft horsepower (2,200 kW) electric motors, each driving a 7-foot diameter (2.1 m) 3-bladed propeller at up to 400 rpm. [2] Top speed was 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) when submerged, and 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) on the surface. [2] Eight 21-inch (530 mm) diameter torpedo tubes were fitted (six facing forward, two aft), with a total payload of 24 torpedoes. [2] The boats were fitted with Type 186 and Type 187 sonars, and an I-band surface search radar. [2] The standard complement was 68: 6 officers, 62 sailors. [2] Unlike other members of the class, which had a fin made from glass fibre-reinforced plastic, the fin of Orpheus was made of aluminium alloy. [2]

Orpheus was laid down by Vickers-Armstrongs on 16 April 1959, and launched on 17 November 1959. [2] The boat was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 25 November 1960. [2]

Operational history

In mid-1964, Orpheus joined the 3rd Submarine Flotilla based at Faslane. In June 1965 she carried out submarine escape trials off Malta, with a record 500 feet (150 m) free ascent made. Other duties including training Canadian and Australian crews for Oberon-class submarines that were being built for those countries. [3] On 15 February 1967 Orpheus collided with sister-ship Opportune in poor weather and darkness off Portsmouth Harbour. Orpheus's commanding officer was reprimanded at the resultant court martial. [4]

Orpheus attended the 1977 Silver Jubilee Fleet Review off Spithead when she was part of the Submarine Flotilla. [5]

Decommissioning and fate

She was in harbour service in 1987 and was broken up in 1994.

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References

  1. Chant, Christopher (2005). Submarine Warfare Today: The World's Deadliest Underwater Weapons Systems. Wigston: Silverdale Books. p. [ page needed ]. ISBN   1-84509-158-2. OCLC   156749009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Moore, John, ed. (1977). Jane's Fighting Ships 1977-78. Jane's Fighting Ships (80th ed.). London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 490. ISBN   0531032779. OCLC   18207174.
  3. "Crew 'Escaped' From 500 Feet". Navy News . October 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  4. "Collision—decisions of courts martial". Navy News . May 1967. p. 6. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  5. Official Souvenir Programme, 1977. Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, HMSO

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