A fleet of submarines passing HMS Dreadnought, by Charles Edward Dixon
The C class was essentially a repeat of the preceding B class, albeit with better performance underwater. The submarine had a length of 142feet 3inches (43.4m)overall, a beam of 13feet 7inches (4.1m) and a mean draft of 11feet 6inches (3.5m). They displaced287 long tons (292t) on the surface and 316 long tons (321t) submerged. The C-class submarines had a crew of two officers and fourteen ratings.[1]
For surface running, the boats were powered by a single 16-cylinder 600-brake-horsepower (447kW)Vickerspetrol engine that drove one propeller shaft. When submerged the propeller was driven by a 300-horsepower (224kW)electric motor.[1] They could reach 12 knots (22km/h; 14mph) on the surface and 7 knots (13km/h; 8.1mph) underwater. On the surface, the C class had a range of 910 nautical miles (1,690km; 1,050mi) at 12 knots (22km/h; 14mph).[2]
The boats were armed with two 18-inch (45cm)torpedo tubes in the bow. They could carry a pair of reload torpedoes, but generally did not as they would have to remove an equal weight of fuel in compensation.[3]
Construction and career
C14 was built by Vickers at their Barrow-in-Furnessshipyard, laid down on 4 December 1906 and was commissioned on 13 March 1908. The boat was sunk in a collision with Hopper No.27 at Plymouth Sound on 10 December 1913. There were no casualties. She was salvaged and recommissioned. C14 was finally sold on 5 December 1921.
Akermann, Paul (2002). Encyclopaedia of British Submarines 1901–1955 (reprint of the 1989ed.). Penzance, Cornwall: Periscope Publishing. ISBN1-904381-05-7.
Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN0-85177-245-5.
