British Submarines of World War I
The Royal Navy used submarines to patrol the seas, target German U-boats, and safeguard convoys carrying essential supplies to Britain. This strategic use of submarines contributed to maintaining Britain’s maritime dominance and securing vital resources, ultimately aiding the Allied war effort.
During World War I, the most widely used class of submarine by Britain was the E-class, primarily designed for patrolling and attacking enemy vessels. The E-class submarines were versatile, with improved range, speed, and armament, making them effective for both offensive operations against German warships and defensive patrols to protect British waters
Germany’s notorious U-boats, particularly the U-19 and U-31 classes, were devastating in disrupting Allied shipping with their aggressive submarine warfare. France, on the other hand, focused on coastal defence, using smaller Brumaire-class submarines primarily for patrols. The United States, with a more limited submarine role, relied on L-class and H-class subs, which were mainly used for training and coastal defence.
In this article, we are discussing British submarines, and will focus primarily on the E11 submarine while briefly discussing others. So, I recommend that you keep reading.
The First British Submarine
The Holland 1 did not take part in WWI; however, it is the submersible that laid the foundation for undersea warfare and the British Submarine Service. So, what is the Holland 1, and why is it so important?
The submarine was commissioned by the Royal Navy in 1901, it was built by Vickers, Sons & Maxim at Barrow-in-Furness and designed by John Philip Holland.
At the time, submarines and undersea warfare was just a concept in naval warfare. The introduction of Holland 1 reflected the Royal Navy’s early efforts to explore this concept and its capabilities, which were relatively untested and controversial at the time.
The HMS 1, not to be confused with the USS Holland 1 had a normal engine for surface movements and an electric motor for underwater use.
Its armament consisted of one 18-inch (450-mm) torpedo tube with up to 3 torpedoes. The submarine was decommissioned in 1913, sank on its way to the scrapyard and was later found and taken to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. To find out more about its preservation, see the video below:
HMS E11
Commissioned in 1912, the HMS E11 submarine played a key role in the Dardanelles Campaign during World War I, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Martin Nasmith.
In a series of patrols in 1915, the submarine penetrated the heavily defended waters of the Sea of Marmara, sinking numerous Ottoman vessels, including the battleship Barbaros Hayreddin, significantly disrupting Ottoman supply lines and boosting Allied morale.
The submarine also served in the North Sea, where it conducted patrols and engaged German vessels
Nasmith’s leadership earned him the Victoria Cross, and E11’s success became a landmark in the history of submarine warfare
The submarine had a total of four engines:Â
- 2 × Vickers eight-cylinder diesel engines (1,600 hp)
- 2 × electric motors (840 hp)
With these engines, the HMS E11had a top speed if 15.25 knots (28.2 km/h) while surfaced and around 10.25 knots (19 km/h) while underwater.
HMS E11 was armed with five 18-inch torpedo tubes located at the bow, stern and beam. It was also equipped with a 12-pounder deck gun, allowing it to effectively engage enemy vessels both underwater and on the surface. That said, the deck gun was only added to the submarine after her first tour.
Finally, the submarine was decommissioned in 1921 and was scrapped.
Britain’s F Class Submarines
The Royal navy wanted a successor to the E class submarines and this came in the form of the F Class, which only consisted of three submarines, the F1, F2, and F3. They were primarily deployed in the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean. Their roles included patrolling, reconnaissance, and offensive operations against enemy shipping. Finally, they served from 1915 – 1922, two were scrapped, and one was sold.
The F-class submarines were crafted for both coastal and fleet operations, boasting a compact design ideal for patrols and reconnaissance. However, their small size and limited range posed challenges, limiting their effectiveness compared to the larger, more advanced submarine classes.
The F-class submarines were equipped with 3 × 18-inch (45 cm) torpedo tubes (2 bow/1 stern) and 6 torpedoes, alongside a 2-pounder deck gun.
Britain’s H Class Submarines
The H class submarines consisted of 43 completed vessels some of which completed their duties, while others were sunk or wrecked.
The submarines served the Royal Navy for three decades, from 1915 – 1945 with the group serving in multiple operations.
While there were over 50 variations of the H class submarine, they typically consisted of 2x diesel engines with a combined output of 480 hp and 2 x electric motors with a combined output of 620 hp.
The armament of these submarines consisted of 4 × 18 in (457 mm) bow torpedo tubes and 8 × 18-inch torpedoes. However, for the H1 to h4, they also had a QF 6-pounder gun.
Final Thoughts
The Royal Navy is recognised for its contributions to naval warfare and maritime security, and it has played a crucial role in major historical conflicts and continues to uphold maritime dominance through modern naval capabilities. The first submarines used by the Royal navy played a significant role in disrupting enemy supply lines and contributing to the blockade of Central Powers. They marked a transformative period in naval warfare, demonstrating the effectiveness of submarines in offensive operations and strategic warfare, and laying the groundwork for future submarine development and tactics
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