HMS E40
| Company type | Submarine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Naval military vessel |
| Founded | November 9, 1916 in Jarrow, United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Jarrow, Newcastle upon Tyne , United Kingdom |
| Products | E-class submarine |
HMS E40
HMS E40 was a British E-class submarine initially launched by Palmer in Jarrow during 1916, with final completion carried out by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle upon Tyne. The vessel was launched on 9 November 1916 and officially entered service in May 1917.
While conducting patrols in Scandinavian waters during World War I, E40 engaged with an enemy U-boat. During the submersion process, the captain sustained shrapnel injuries and required assistance to be brought inside. The hatch jammed, resulting in flooding that caused the submarine to sink rapidly. After approximately one hour underwater, with oxygen levels deteriorating and the captain unconscious, the first lieutenant requested permission from the crew to utilize the remaining oxygen supply to attempt surfacing. This effort was successful, allowing E40 to return safely to Middlesbrough, where she had previously been declared missing and presumed lost. The captain ultimately survived the incident. HMS E40 was sold on 14 December 1921.
Design
As with all post-E8 British E-class submarine models, E40 displaced 662 long tons (673 t) when surfaced and 807 long tons (820 t) while submerged. The vessel measured 180 feet (55 m) in overall length and had a beam of 22 feet 8.5 inches (6.922 m). Propulsion was provided by a pair of Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines, each rated at 800 horsepower (600 kW), complemented by two electric motors producing 420 horsepower (310 kW) each. The submarine could achieve a top speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) on the surface and up to 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) underwater. Fuel storage allowed for 50 long tons (51 t) of diesel, enabling a range of approximately 3,255 miles (5,238 km; 2,829 nmi) at a cruising speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). When operating submerged at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph), E40 could remain underwater for around five hours.
Armament included a forward-mounted 12-pounder 76 mm (3.0 in) quick firing gun positioned ahead of the conning tower. The torpedo complement consisted of five British 18 inch torpedo tubes: two located in the bow, one on each side amidships, and one in the stern, carrying a total of ten torpedoes.
Wireless communication equipment on E-class submarines initially featured systems with a power output of 1 kilowatt (1.3 hp); some vessels later upgraded to 3 kilowatts (4.0 hp) systems by removing a midship torpedo tube to accommodate the enhancement. Although the design specified a maximum depth of 100 feet (30 m), operational experience saw some submarines diving below 200 feet (61 m). Additionally, certain units were fitted with Fessenden oscillator devices.
Crew
The standard crew composition comprised three officers and 28 enlisted personnel.