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fighting ships of the world

ROYAL NAVY - UNITED KINGDOM

SUBMARINES

OXLEY submarines (1927)

nearly sister-ship Odin 1940

Name No Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Otway (RAN, 1931 - RN) (ex-AO2) P51 - N51   Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow 8.1925 7.9.1926 9.1927 BU 8.1945
Oxley (RAN, 1931 - RN) (ex-AO1) P55   Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow 8.1925 29.6.1926 7.1927 sunk 10.9.1939

 

Displacement standard, t

1354

Displacement normal, t

1636 / 1872

Length, m

83.8

Breadth, m

8.42

Draught, m

4.79

No of shafts

2

Machinery

2 Vickers diesels / 2 electric motors

Power, h. p.

3100 / 1350

Max speed, kn

15 / 8.5

Fuel, t

diesel oil 166

Endurance, nm(kts)

4560(10.3) / 60(4)

Armament

1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk IV, 8 - 533 TT (6 bow, 2 stern, 16)

Sensors type 116 sonar

Complement

55

Diving depth operational, m 60

Project history: Design of "O" class submarines was developed on the basis of "L" class. New ships intended for service in the Far East and so they required increased endurance and improved seaworthiness in comparison with prototype. Lead Oberon had saddle-tank construction and was built under the 1923 Programme, operational diving depth was 60 m, maximal was 155 m. Oil fuel tanks were out of a pressure hull and were leaked at big depth. It was possible to be saved of this lack during repair, when riveted tanks were been replaced by welded (also fuel stowage has increased to 186t). Designed speed was 15/9kts, but it has not been even reached. Oberon became the first British submarine with sonar provided even at designing. Almost simultaneously with Oberon the order for two submarines was given out by the Australian Government. Design of these boats was developed by Vickers-Armstrong, and they favourably differed from Admiralty designed Oberon. At the expense of minor alteration of hull lines and form of fore end Australian submarines have reached designed speed.

Modernizations: 1930s, both: - 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk IV; + 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XII

1930s, both: riveted fuel tanks were replaced by welded ones, fuel stowage rose up to 195t.

1942 - 1943, Otway: + 1 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, type 286W or type 291W radar

Naval service: Oxley was erroneously sunk by submarine Triton 10.9.1939 off coast of Norway.

Oxley 1927

© Ivan Gogin, 2008-10