T Class

This class were built as a replacement for the 'P' class and were very often referred to as the 'Replacement 'P'.  They were some 400 tons smaller than the 'O', 'P' and 'R' classes but were superior in just about every other aspect except surface speed as their displacement meant they could be fitted with less powerful diesel engines.

It was intended to fit the first group with different types of engines so an evaluation could be done on the differing types, the commencement of WWII halted this and the remaining boats were either fitted with Vickers or Admiralty design diesel units.

The first batch were of an all riveted design and their torpedo tubes were arranged to fire forward, this was modified in all later boats which had an external stern tube fitted. The two external midships tubes were moved further aft and also turned to fire astern.   Another disadvantage of this first batch were the forward external tubes.  These were encased in a bulbous casing which caused a bow-wave which proved to be an obstruction when using the periscope.  These modifications were carried through to the Second group.

The Third group benefited from all the above and also was fitted with a 20mm Anti-aircraft gun aft of the conning tower as well as being fitted with RDF.   These modifications were eventually carried out on all the class with the exception of losses.

Some of this Third group were partially of a welded structure and eventually of a complete welded structure.   The boats which were completely welded were transferred to the Far East as some of their tanks were converted to carry fuel which gave them a much larger radius of operation.

The longest patrol carried out by a British submarine was recorded by Tantalus who spent 56 days.

The class proved to be most successful and were employed in all theatres of WWII, they suffered their greatest losses in the Mediterranean which was not suited to large submarines.  After the end of WWII some of the 'T' class were streamlined: Five of the riveted hull boats of which were Tapir, Tireless, Talent, Teredo and Token were modernised with up to date sonar and fitted with a fin type conning tower.

In the 1950's eight of the welded type were completely rebuilt, their hulls were cut in two and lengthened.   Improvements were made to the propulsion units both electric and diesel, modern noise reduction techniques were fitted as well as new sensors, these also were fitted with a fin type conning tower.
The eight were: Tabard, Trump, Truncheon, Tiptoe, Taciturn, Thermopylae, Totem and Turpin.

9 Built

Submarine	Builder	Built
P311 Tactician, Tally-Ho Tantalus Tantivy Taurus Templar Trespasser Truculent	Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness.	1942 - 1945

Technical Information

Displacement (tons):	1,090 sf 1,571 sm
Length (ft):	273.25 oa
Breadth (ft)	26.5
Draught/Height (ft):	15.75
Machinery:	6 cylinder Admiralty Diesel 2,500 bhp Laurence Scott electric motors 1,450 bhp Group 2:
Speed (kts):	15.25 sf 8.75 sm
Oil Supply (tons):	129-132 later increased to 215-230.
Armament:	1 x 4 inch/40 QF Mk XII (Except Tabard, Talent, Tapir, Tarn, Teredo and Thermopylae-1 x 4 inch/40 QF Mk XXII). 1 x 20mm HA Oerlikon. 3 x 0.303 Lewis or Vickers Mg. 11 x 21 inch tubes, 8 fwd, 2 amidships and 1 aft. 17 reloads or 12 MkII mines.
Range:	11,000/80nm at 10/4 kts.
Complement:	63-68 (5 Officers and 58 Others normally).

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Type:	T Class	Third Group
Pennant No.:	ex P.314 ex P.94 S42	Renumbered July 1941. Renamed April 1943
Laid Down:	13th November 1941.	Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness.
Commissioned:	29th November 1942.	Not known at present.
Commander:	Not known at present.	Not known at present.
Complement:	63-68	5 Officers and 58 Ratings (normally).
Service Career:	1943. 1943. 1944.	Mediterranean. Indian Ocean. Indian Ocean.
Fate:	Scrapped 6th December 1963.

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H.M. Submarine Tally-Ho 1948

Showing damage inflicted on ballast tanks by Japanese escort vessel.

Type:	T Class	Third Group.
Pennant No.:	P.317 ex-P.317 ex-P.97	Renamed February 1943. Renamed July 1941.
Laid Down:	25th March 1942.	Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness.
Commissioned:	12th April 1943.	Lt. L.W.A. Bennington.
Commander:	1943-1945. 1943-1945.	Lt. L.W.A. Bennington. Lt. Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington.
Complement:	56 Peacetime. 62 Wartime.	5 Officers and 51 Ratings Peacetime 6 Officers and 56 Ratings Wartime.
Service Career:	1943. 1943. 1944.	Mediterranean. Indian Ocean. Indian Ocean.
	Sank the Japanese cruiser KUMA on the 11th January 1944 in the Malacca Straits. Sank the submarine UIT23 in the Malacca Straits 15th February 1944. Some other actions: 10th November 1943 - Kisogawa Maru 1914 tons. 15th January 1944 - Ryuko Maru 2962 tons. 21st February 1944 - Daigen Maru No.6 510 tons. 18th May 1944 - Nichivoku Maru. 6th October 1944 - Submarine Chaser No.4 100 tons. 20th November 1944 - Special Minelayer No.4 600 tons.
Fate:	Scrapped 10th February 1967.

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H.M. Submarine Tantalus1940

H.M. Submarine Tantalus 1948

Type:	T Class	Third Group.
Pennant No.:	P.318 ex-P.318 ex-P.98	Renamed February 1943. Renamed July 1941.
Laid Down:	6th June 1942.	Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness.
Commissioned:	2nd June 1943.	Not known at present.
Commander:	Not known at present.	Not known at present.
Complement:	63.	5 Officers and 58 Ratings.
Service Career:	1943. 1944. 1945	Indian Ocean. Indian Ocean. Pacific.
Fate:	Scrapped November 1950.

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H.M. Submarine Tantivy

Type:	T Class	Third Group.
Pennant No.:	P.319 ex-P.319 ex-P.99	Renamed February 1943. Renamed July 1941.
Laid Down:	4th July 1942.	Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness.
Commissioned:	25th July 1943.	Not known at present.
Commander:	Not known at present.	Not known at present.
Complement:	63 - 68	5 Officers and 58 Ratings.
Service Career:	1943. 1944. 1945.	Indian Ocean. Indian Ocean. Pacific.
Fate:	Tantivy was used as a target in the Cromarty Firth in 1951.

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More Details to Follow

More Details to Follow

More Details to Follow

H.M. Submarine Truculent

H.M. Submarine P.311
The only T Class submarine not to be named.

Type:	T Class	Third Group.
Pennant No.:	P.311 P.91
Laid Down:	25th April 1941. Laid down as P.91. Renumbered July 1941. Was to have been renamed Tutankhamen.	Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness.
Commissioned:	7th August 1942.	Cdr. R. Cayley.
Commander:	1942.	Cdr. R. Cayley.
Complement:	63	5 Officers and 58 Ratings.
Service Career:	1942 - 1st Flotilla.	HMS Medway, Alexandria.
	P.311 along with Trooper and Thunderbolt were converted to carry 2-man torpedoes (chariots) on their casing for 'Operation Principle. This operation involved Trooper and Thunderbolt attacking Palermo and Cagliari harbours respectively. P.311 was to attack the harbour of Maddelena. She departed Malta on 28th December 1942, her position was reported in the early hours of the 31st December she was not heard from again. It is assumed that she was mined off Maddelena which was heavily mined.
Fate:	Lost, presumed mined off Maddelena on or about 2nd January 1943.
It should be noted that boats attached to 1st Flotilla in Alexandria were likely to spend much of their time at Malta even though Malta had been given up as a submarine base due to the air attacks. Although submarines did still operate from Malta during this period the 10th Flotilla was not recognised as such until September 1941.

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