HMS L52

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Ship class = L-class submarine

Ship displacement = *960 long tons (980 t) surfaced 1,150 long tons (1,170 t) submerged

Ship length = 235 ft (71.6 m)

Ship beam = 23 ft 6 in (7.2 m)

Ship draught = 13 ft 2 in (4.0 m)

Ship power = *2,400 bhp (1,800 kW) (diesel) 1,600 hp (1,200 kW) (electric)

Ship propulsion = *2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors

Ship speed = *17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph) surfaced 10.5 kn (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) submerged

Ship range = 4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 8 kn (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) on the surface

Ship test depth = 150 feet (45.7 m)

Ship complement = 44

Ship armament = *6 × bow 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes 2 × 4-inch deck guns

HMS L52 was among the later models of the British L class submarine series constructed for the Royal Navy during the First World War. The vessel remained unfinished by the war's conclusion and was ultimately dismantled for scrap in 1935.

Design and description

The design of L52 and subsequent vessels was altered to enhance the number of British 21 inch torpedos, specifically 21-inch (53.3 cm), that could be accommodated in the bow section. This submarine measured an overall length of 235 feet (71.6 m), featured a beam width of 23 feet 6 inches (7.2 m), and had an average draught of 13 feet 2 inches (4.0 m). Its displacement was 960 long tons (980 t) when surfaced and increased to 1,150 long tons (1,170 t) while submerged. The L-class submarines operated with a crew complement of 44 personnel, including officers and ratings. They were capable of diving to depths around 150 feet (45.7 m).

For propulsion on the surface, two 12-cylinder Vickers diesel engines each produced approximately 1,200-brake-horsepower (895 kW), driving individual propeller shafts. When submerged, each shaft was powered by a 600-horsepower (447 kW) electric motor. The submarine could achieve speeds up to 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) above water and approximately 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) beneath the surface. Surface range extended to about 4,200 nautical miles (7,800 km; 4,800 mi) cruising at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

Armament included six bow-mounted 21-inch torpedo tubes with a total inventory of twelve torpedoes, consisting of six loaded tubes plus six reloads. Additionally, the vessel was equipped with two deck guns measuring 4-inch (102 mm) caliber.

Construction and Service

The keel of HMS L52 was laid on 16 May 1917 at the Armstrong Whitworth shipyard located in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. She was subsequently launched on 18 December 1918 and reached completion by 18 January 1921. The submarine was eventually sold for dismantling in September 1935; however, it met its fate when it was wrecked near Barry, South Wales.

References

• Akermann, Paul. Encyclopaedia of British Submarines 1901–1955. Reprint of the 1989 edition. Penzance, Cornwall: Periscope Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-904381-05-7.
• Colledge, J.J. (2006).
• Gardiner, Robert and Randal Gray, eds. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
• Harrison, A. N. "The Development of HM Submarines From Holland No. 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930) (BR3043)." RN Subs, January 1979. Accessed 27 September 2022.