Narval 1960
Narval 1970
Narval 1980
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Narval | S631 | Q61 | Arsenal de Cherbourg | 10/1951 | 11.12.1954 | 1.12.1957 | stricken 6.1983 |
| Marsouin | S632 | Q62 | Arsenal de Cherbourg | 11/1951 | 21.5.1955 | 1.10.1957 | stricken 11.1982 |
| Dauphin | S633 | Arsenal de Cherbourg | 1/1952 | 17.9.1955 | 1.8.1958 | stricken 12.1992 | |
| Requin | S634 | Arsenal de Cherbourg | 2/1952 | 3.12.1955 | 1.8.1958 | stricken 11.1985 | |
| Espadon | S637 | A C Augustin-Normand, Le Havre | 12/1955 | 15.9.1958 | 1.4.1960 | stricken 9.1985 | |
| Morse | S638 | 132 | A C de la Seine-Maritime, La Seine | 2/1956 | 10.12.1958 | 1.5.1960 | stricken 12.1986 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
1320 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
1635 / 1910 |
|
Length, m |
78.4 |
|
Breadth, m |
7.80 |
|
Draught, m |
5.20 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 Schneider diesels / 2 electric motors |
|
Power, h. p. |
4400 / 5000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
16 / 18 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 15000(8) / |
|
Armament |
8 - 550 TT (6 bow, 2 stern, 14) |
| Electronic equipment | Calypso radar, DUUA-1 sonar |
| Complement | 63 |
| Diving depth operational, m | 200 |
Project history: In 1947 the STCAN was asked to produce plans for a new class of submarine of 1200 tonnes standard. Requirements included a speed of over 16kts submerged and a range of 15.000nm with snorkel. Long range was the overriding consideration because the continued existence of a French empire demanded the ability to make a lengthy transit and still be able to undertake a patrol of 7-14 days.
In drawing up the plans the constructors leaned heavily on experience with the ex-German Type XXI boat Roland Morillot and the two reconstructed 1500t boats of French origin (L'Andromède and L'Artémis).
In addition Dinechin, who was responsible for the basic design, visited the USA in order to make a detailed study of current US Navy thinking.
The result was an improved Type XXI, almost identical in dimensions and displacement but with superior performance. Two boats were ordered in 1949, two in 1950, and the final pair in 1954.
Problems were experienced in developing a high-tensile steel capable of resisting pressures at the 200m maximum diving depth, and the increased pressures also necessitated many changes in other areas, notably more powerful emergency blowing systems. An exceptionally strong all-welded double hull was adopted. Hull-form, propellers, rudder and driving planes were all the subject of intensive studies. The Cherbourg-built boats were assembled in pre-fabricated sections each 7x10m - the first French submarines constructed by this method.
The action information and fire control centre was based on that developed in L'Artémis, as was the fin with its raised section aft. The latest detection equipment was fitted. In addition to the six bow tubes, two tubes were fitted aft outside the pressure hull.
Problems were experienced in finding a suitable diesel, as few French engineering firms were willing to undertake a series of only twelve engines. Schneider 2-stroke diesels were chosen in preference to 2.4-stroke Sultzer and 4-stroke MAN diesels. When fast diesels later became available it was decided to replace the machinery by a diesel-electric installation. Three SEMT-Pielstick PA 4 12cyl diesels, each rated at 750bhp, replaced the Schneider units. New electric motors each of 2400hp were installed, and to these were added a pair of electric cruise motors each of 40hp. All six boats were taken in hand from 1965 onwards, and besides the replacement of the propulsion system major improvements were made to the weapons and detection equipment.
Modernizations: 1965-1970, all: machinery was replaced by 3 Pielstick diesel-generators (2250hp) and 2 electric motors (4800hp), fin was rebuilt; - 2 - 550 TT (stern) (20 torpedoes were carried at all), DUUA-1 sonar; + DUUA-2 (active), DUUA-2 (passive), DUUX-2 sonars
1970s, Narval: + swimmer delivery vehicle
1980, Requin: + SM39 Exocet SSM (instead of part of torpedoes)
1986, Dauphin: was fitted with the prototype bow section for the Amethyste class SSN, length oa became 81.4m.
Naval service: Marsouin had a serious fire 4.8.1978, later repaired.
Dauphin 1979
Dauphin 1987
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
© Ivan Gogin, 2015