Oxley Class Early Patrol Submarines

Designed by Vickers as opposed to H.M. Dockyard Chatham the internal arrangements were similar to the prototype Oberon's. There was improvements in the hull form resulting in a slightly higher speed.

Both boats left Vickers on 8th February 1928 and reached Malta eleven days later. They remained in Malta until 15th November 1928 as they required engine columns to be strengthened. During this reconstruction both boats were reduced to RESERVE status.

Both Oxley and Otway were placed into reserve in Australia in May 1930. In April 1931 the boats recomissioned into the Royal Navy at Sydney as a free gift from the Australians.

They were laid down as AO.1 and AO.2 but at the launch the former was named Oxley and the latter Otway.

2 Built

Submarine	Builder	Built
Otway	Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness.	1925 - 1927
Oxley	Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness.	1925 - 1927

Technical Information

Displacement (tons):	1,349 sf 1,872 sm
Length (ft):	275 oa
Breadth (ft)	27.5 oa
Draught/Height (ft):	15.75
Machinery:	Vickers 3,000hp diesel engine. 1,350 electric motor. Twin screws.
Speed (kts):	15 sf 8.5 sm
Oil Supply (tons):	195 tons
Armament:	8 x 21 inch tubes, 6 bow, 2 stern. 16 reloads. 1 x 4 inch gun. 2x machine gun.
Range:	7000 miles at 10 knots sf.
Complement:	50-56 officers and ratings.

[Top]

Type:	Oxley Class
Pennant No.:	51.P 51.N N.51	Laid Down as AO.2
Laid Down:	24th August 1925.	Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness.
Commissioned:	9th September 1927.	Not known at present.
Commander:	1941	Lt. Cdr. Harvey.
Complement:	56	5 Officers and 51 Ratings.
Additional Information:	Otway was built for the Royal Australian Navy, one of two ocean going submarines ordered. Otway left the UK for Australia in the company of Oxley in February 1928, they reached Malta some eleven days later where they were detained whilst modifications were made to the engines. Whilst at Malta they were reduced to a RESERVE state and were unable to leave Malta until November of 1928. Both boats were paid off into Immediate Reserve in May 1930. Both were recommissioned into the Royal Navy at Sydney in April of 1931.
Service Career:	1931 -1936 1937 - 1938 1938 - 1939 1939 - 1941 1941 - 1944	Mediterranean. Portsmouth. Reserve. Mediterranean and Home Training A/S Escorts

Fate:	Sold at Inverkeithing and scrapped 14th August 1945.

[Top]

H.M. Submarine Oxley alongside with others.

Type:	Oxley Class
Pennant No.:	55.P	Laid Down as AO.1
Laid Down:	24th August 1925.	Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness.
Commissioned:	22nd July 1927.	Not known at present.
Commander:	1939	Lt. Cdr. H.G. Bowerman.
Complement:	56	5 Officers and 51 Ratings.
Additional Information:	Oxley was built for the Royal Australian Navy, one of two ocean going submarines ordered. Oxlley left the UK for Australia in the company of Otway in February 1928, they reached Malta some eleven days later where they were detained whilst modifications were made to the engines. Whilst at Malta they were reduced to a RESERVE state and were unable to leave Malta until November of 1928. Both boats were paid off into Immediate Reserve in May 1930. Both were recommissioned into the Royal Navy at Sydney in April of 1931.
Service Career:	1931 - 1936 1937 - 1938 1939	Mediterranean Portsmouth Home Waters.

Fate:	Sank by HM Submarine Triton September 10th 1939 in error. She was the first British vessel to be lost in WWII. During the war years the loss was attributed to an accidental explosion. According to official publications in 1947 the sinking was also attributed to an accident.

[Top]