S Class
Medium Patrol Submarine
- S Class Group Three 1939
- Safari
- Sahib
- Saracen
- Satyr
- Sceptre
In the late 1920's and early 1930's it was decided that two main type of patrol submarine would meet the future requirements of the Long Range Overseas Patrol Submarine, a medium sized type for confined waters and a slightly larger one for overseas.
Having learned from past experience that external fuel tanks were not ideally suited the decision was taken that all future construction of submarines should have their fuel tanks internally built. It was intended to maintain the quick diving and the manageable handling of the 'H' class whilst submerged, combined with the long range qualities of the 'O','P' and 'R' classes.
The result was the 'S' class. This class was in production for over 15 years and was the largest single group of submarines built for the Royal Navy.
There were three distinct groups in this class with varying differences as will be seen within the class notes and individual boat profiles.
5 Built
| Submarine | Builder | Built |
| Safari,
Sahib, Saracen |
Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. | 1940 - 1945 |
| Satyr, Sceptre | Scotts, Greenock. | 1941 - 1945 |
Technical Information
| Displacement (tons): | 715 sf 990 sm (Safari 814) |
| Length (ft): | 217 oa |
| Breadth (ft) | 23.75 |
| Draught/Height (ft): | 13.25 |
| Machinery: | 8
cylinder Admiralty diesel engines 1,900 bhp Admiralty electric motors 1,300 bhp |
| Speed (kts): | 14.75 sf 9 sm |
| Oil Supply (tons): | 44 normal 67 max (Except Safari and Sahib) |
| Armament: | 1
x 3 inch/45QF. 1 x mg. 7 x 21 inch bow tubes. 13 reloads. |
| Range: | 6,00 miles at 10 kts sf |
| Complement: | 48 |
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H.M. Submarine Safari
| Type: | S Class | Third Group |
| Pennant No.: | P.211 | |
| Laid Down: | 5th June
1940. Laid down as P.61. Renumbered July 1941. Renamed January 1943. |
Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. |
| Commissioned: | 14th March 1942. | Cdr. B. Bryant. |
| Commander: | 1942. | Cdr. B. Bryant. |
| Complement: | 48 | 5 Officers and 43 Ratings. |
| Service Career: | 1942 -
8th Flotilla. 1943 |
HMS Maidstone,
Gibraltar. Mediterranean. |
| Safari
was relatively successful whilst in the Mediterranean accounting
for around 35,000 ton of shipping. |
||
| Fate: | Sold 7th January 1946. Wrecked en-route to breakers 8th January 1946. | |
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H.M. Submarine Sahib
| Type: | S Class | Third Group |
| Pennant No.: | P.212 | |
| Laid Down: | 5th July
1940. Laid down as P.62 Renumbered July 1941. Renamed January 1943. |
Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. |
| Commissioned: | 13th May 1942. | LT. J. H. Bromage. |
| Commander: | 1943. | LT. J. H. Bromage. |
| Complement: | 48 | 5 Officers and 43 Ratings. |
| Service Career: | 1942. 1943 - 8th Flotilla. |
Mediterranean. HMS Maidstone, Gibraltar. |
| 1943 -
Sank the U301 on 21st January 1943. 1943 - Attacked and forced to the service by the Italian corvettes Gabbiano and Euterpe on 24th April 1943. |
||
| Fate: | Lost. Scuttled by crew before being captured off Capo Milazzo. | |
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H.M. Submarine Saracen
| Type: | S Class | Third Group. |
| Pennant No.: | P.213 P.247 P.63 |
Renumbered - July 1941 and again in 1942. Renamed January 1943. |
| Laid Down: | 16th July 1940. | Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. |
| Commissioned: | 27th June 1942. | Lt. M. Lumby. |
| Commander: | 1942. | Lt. M. Lumby. |
| Complement: | 48 | 5 Officers and 43 Ratings. |
| Service Career: | 1942 - 8th Flotilla. 1943 - 8th Flotilla. |
HMS Maistone, Gibraltar. Algiers. |
| Sank the U335 on 3rd August 1942 during her work up patrol. Sank the Italian submarine Granito 9th November 1942, off Capo San Vito, Sicily. Sank the steamer Tripoli 6th July 1943, off the island of Monte Cristo Sank the German steamer Tell, details not known. |
||
| Fate: | Sank by the Italian Corvettes Minverva and Euterpe, 14th August 1943. | |
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H.M. Submarine Satyr
| Type: | S Class | Third Group. |
| Pennant No.: | ex P.214 ex P.64 |
Renumbered July 1941 Renamed January 1943. |
| Laid Down: | 8th June 1940. | Scotts, Greenock. |
| Commissioned: | 8th February 1943. | Not known at present. |
| Commander: | 1945. | Lt. C. Bowers. |
| Complement: | 48 | 5 Officers and 43 Ratings. |
| Service Career: | 1943. 1944. |
Home Station. Home Station. |
| Sank U-987 in the North Sea 15th June 1944. During 1944-1945 Satyr was disarmed, streamlined and given more powerful batteries to serve as a high speed target submarine. Loaned to the French Navy 1952 - 1961 (Saphir). |
||
| Fate: | Sold and scrapped 4th April 1962. | |
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H.M. Submarine Sceptre
| Type: | S Class | Third Group. |
| Pennant No.: | ex P.215 ex P.65 |
Renamed February 1943. Renumbered July 1941.. |
| Laid Down: | 25th July 1940. | Scotts, Greenock. |
| Commissioned: | 15th April 1943. | Not known at present. |
| Commander: | Not known at present. | Not known at present. |
| Complement: | 48 | 5 Officers and 43 Ratings. |
| Service Career: | 1943. 1944. |
Home Station. Home Station. |
| Sceptre was the most successful of the S boats which were on the Home Station with a total of almost 15,000 tons of shipping. She was also used in towing X-craft on two occasions. |
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| Fate: | Scrapped September 1949. | |
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