THE HISTORY OF SUBMARINES

Ships have been sailing on the surface of the sea for thousands of years. The first ship to sail under the sea was invented less than two hundred years ago. It could not go very deep under the water and so kept getting swept side to side by the tides. Todays submarines way thousands of tons,have powerful engines and can decend to over a 1000 feet beneath the ocean. One famous submarine, the Nautilus, sailed in a straight line from the pacific to the atlantic ocean in almost a straight line. The Nautilus sailed straight under the North Pole ice-cap. Another famous submarine, the Triton, travelled right round the world under water, following the route used by the explorer Magellan 450 years ago. Magellan's voyage took three years. The tritan did it in three months!

POLARIS AND TRIDENT SUBMARINES.

The Royal Navy's four nuclear-powered Polaris submarines, each carrying 16 missiles, are the United kingdom's contribution to NATO's strategic nuclear deterrent. At least one of them is constantly on patrol and, because of their high speed, long endurance underwater, and advanced sensor and electronic equipment, they have little fear of detection. These large submarines displace over 7,112 tonnes and the three decks offer accommodation which is unusually spacious for a submarine. Good domestic facilities are provided for the crew. The air purification system enables them to remain submerged for long periods without any outside support. Each submarine has two crews known as port and starboard; when one is away on patrol the other is training or taking leave. The Polaris weapon is a two-stage ballistic missile powered by solid fuel rocket motors. It is 9.45 metres long, 1.37 metres in diameter and weighs 12,700 Kilos. Fired from the submerged submarine it can devastate a target 2,500 nautical miles away. Six conventional torpedo tubes are also fitted in these submarines.

FLEET SUBMARINES.

The nuclear-powered fleet submarines armed with homing torpedoes can be used against other submarines or surface vessels. The Sub-harpoon long-range anti-ship missile is now in service as the principal anti-surface ship weapon in these submarines. They are capable of continuous patrols at high underwater speed, indipendent of base support, and can circumnavigate the globe without surfacing. Their long endurance and sophisticated weapon systems make them formidible adversaries. They displace over 3,500 tonnes and have three decks. Although space is restricted, living conditions are comfortable. The Fleet submarine force now in service consists of HMS Valiant, five of the Swiftsure Class and seven of the new Trafalgar Class, numbering 13 in all. HMS Trenchent, the fith of the Trafalgar Class was commissioned in 1989, the sixth, HMS Talent, in 1990 and the seventh, HMS Triumph, in 1991.

PATROL SUBMARINES

The patrol submarines with diesal- electric power units continue to have an important role to play in anti-submarine warfare and against surface ships. Their underwater endurance is not as great as that of nuclear-powered submarines, but they are mobile, quiet and difficult to detect. HMS Upholder, the first of the new type 2400 Class submarines, entered service in 1990, Hms Unseen in 1991 and HMS Ursula in 1992. They will carry weapons and a sensor fit similar to the Fleet Submarines and replaced the Oberon Class in the 90's.

ASTUTE CLASS SUBMARINE

The laying of the keel for the HMS Astute in January of 2001 takes the Royal Navy into its second century of submarine operations. HMS Astute is the biggest and most powerful attack submarine to be built for the Royal Navy and, under the Smart Acquisition programme, is being built at roughly one fifth more quickly than earlier boats, with lower running costs and will have a much smaller ship’s company. Although the Astute will be about 30 per cent larger than the Trafalgar Class this larger hull means that she is much easier and cheaper to build and maintain. HMS Astute will displace 7,200 tonnes dived and is 97 metres long, she will have six weapons tubes a massively increased firepower compared to predecessors and will be equipped from day one to operate cruise missiles. Construction on the second submarine of the class, HMS Ambush, is due to start later in 2001 with the third, HMS Artful, following later. The MoD is considering plans for a second batch of up to three more of these potent boats, though the final decision will not be taken until the end of 2002.

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This website was created on the 1st January 2002 by Jonathan Carpenter.