HMS E29
| Company type | Submarine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Naval military vessel |
| Founded | June 1, 1915 in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom |
| Defunct | February 21, 1922 |
| Fate | Sold on 21 February 1922 |
| Headquarters | Newcastle-Upon-Tyne , United Kingdom |
HMS E29 was a British E-class submarine constructed by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. She was launched on 1 June 1915 and entered service in October 1915. On 9 January 1916, an explosion in the battery compartment resulted in the deaths of four crew members. The submarine was eventually sold on 21 February 1922.
Design
Following the design of all post-E8 British E-class submarine models, the E29 displaced 662 long tons (673 t) when surfaced and 807 long tons (820 t) while submerged. The vessel measured 180 feet (55 m) in length with a beam spanning 22 feet 8.5 inches (6.922 m). Propulsion was provided by a pair of 800 horsepower (600 kW) Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines alongside two electric motors rated at 420 horsepower (310 kW) each. This configuration enabled a maximum speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) on the surface and 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) underwater. The fuel capacity stood at 50 long tons (51 t) of diesel, allowing for a range of approximately 3,255 miles (5,238 km; 2,829 nmi) when cruising at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). When submerged and moving at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph), the submarine could operate for up to five hours.
Armament included a forward-mounted 12-pounder (76 mm (3.0 in)) QF gun positioned ahead of the conning tower. Additionally, the E29 was equipped with five 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes—two located at the bow, one on each side amidships, and one at the stern—carrying a total of ten torpedoes.
The wireless communication system initially featured a power output of 1 kilowatt (1.3 hp), with some vessels later upgraded to 3 kilowatts (4.0 hp) by removing a midship torpedo tube to accommodate the enhancement. Although designed for a maximum operational depth of 100 feet (30 m), certain submarines in this class achieved depths exceeding 200 feet (61 m) during service. Some units were also fitted with Fessenden oscillator equipment for underwater detection and communication purposes.
Crew
The vessel's ship's company consisted of three officers alongside 28 enlisted personnel.
References
Bibliography
- Hutchinson, Robert (2001). Jane's Submarines: War Beneath the Waves from 1776 to the Present Day. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-00-710558-8. OCLC 53783010.