Swordfish Class
Experimental Submarine
The Swordfish was the first British steam-driven submarine. This was another design, along with the Nautilus which didn't achieve any of the advances it was hoped to. The decision was taken to go along with the 'J' class in preference of either Nautilus or Swordfish.
Swordfish was converted into a surface patrol vessel in 1917 and was the forerunner for the ill-fated K class.
1 Built
| Submarine | Builder | Built |
| Swordfish Later (S1) |
Scotts, Greenock | 1916 |
Technical Information
| Displacement (tons): | 932 sf 1,385 sm as designed 1,470 sm as completed |
| Length (Metric): | 70.5 |
| Breadth (Metric): | 7 |
| Draught/Height (Metric): | 4.5 |
| Machinery: | Parsons
geared impulse-reaction steam turbines, one Yarrow boiler 3750
hp 2 Electric Motors 1400 hp. Two shafts. |
| Speed (kts): | 18 knots
sf 10 knots sm |
| Oil Supply (tons): | na |
| Armament: | 2 x 21
inch tubes (bow), 4 x 18 inch tubes (beam). 2 x 3 inch guns. Reloads:2 x 21 inch, 8 x 18 inch. |
| Range: | 1,120 nm at full speed. 1,700 nm at 12.5 kts 3,000 nm at 8.5 sf |
| Complement: | 42 Officers and Ratings |
| sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, oa = overall, hp = horsepower, na = not available. | |
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