HMS K11
| Company type | Submarine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Naval military vessel |
| Founded | October 1915 |
| Defunct | 4 November 1921 |
| Headquarters | Newcastle upon Tyne , United Kingdom |
| Products | K-class submarine |
Number of employees | 59 crew members |
HMS K11 was a K-class submarine constructed by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle upon Tyne. The vessel's construction began in October 1915, and it entered service in February 1917, manned by a crew of 59 personnel.
During a North Sea patrol in 1917, K11 sustained fire damage, compelling it to surface and subsequently be towed by a destroyer. The submarine also participated in the ill-fated Battle of May Island exercise, where it had to maneuver to avoid collision with K14 but ultimately emerged unscathed. The vessel was sold on 4 November 1921.
Design
Consistent with other submarines of the British K class, K11 displaced approximately 1,800 long tons (1,800 t) when surfaced and about 2,600 long tons (2,600 t) submerged. Its overall length measured 338 feet (103 m), with a beam spanning 26 feet 6 inches (8.08 m) and a draught of 20 feet 11 inches (6.38 m).
Propulsion was provided by two oil-fired boilers manufactured by Yarrow Shipbuilders, paired with a Brown-Curtis or Parsons geared steam turbine generating 10,500 shaft horsepower (7,800 kW) to drive two propellers each measuring 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) in diameter. Additionally, the submarine housed four electric motors rated between 350 to 360 horsepower (260 to 270 kW) each. An auxiliary diesel engine delivering 800 horsepower (600 kW) was installed to charge batteries on the surface or operate when steam was not raised.
The maximum speeds attained were 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) on the surface and between 9 to 9.5 knots (16.7 to 17.6 km/h; 10.4 to 10.9 mph) submerged. Operational diving depth reached approximately 150 feet (46 m), allowing it to travel at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph) for distances up to 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) while submerged.
Armament included one 3 inches (76 mm) anti-aircraft gun, ten torpedo tubes of 18 inches (460 mm) caliber distributed at the bow, midship section, and two mounted on the deck (the latter later removed), along with two deck guns of 4 inches (100 mm) caliber. The standard complement consisted of 59 crew members.
References
Bibliography
- Hutchinson, Robert. Submarines, War Beneath The Waves, from 1776 to the Present Day.