HMS R9
| Company type | Submarine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Naval military vessel |
| Founded | 1 December 1917 |
| Defunct | 21 February 1923 |
| Fate | Sold for dismantling |
| Headquarters | Newcastle upon Tyne , United Kingdom |
| Products | R-class submarines |
HMS R9 belonged to a group of ten R-class submarines constructed for the Royal Navy during the First World War. The vessel was not finished before the war concluded and was eventually sold for dismantling in 1923.
Design and description
The R-class submarines were developed to satisfy an Admiralty specification calling for a specialised hunter-killer submarine prioritising underwater capabilities. These submarines measured 163 feet 9 inches (49.9 m) in overall length, with a 15 feet 3 inches (4.6 m) beam and an average draft of 11 feet 6 inches (3.5 m). Their displacement was 410 long tons (420 t) when surfaced and 503 long tons (511 t) while submerged. The crew complement consisted of 2 officers and 20 ratings. They were rated for a maximum diving depth of 150 feet (45.7 m).
For propulsion on the surface, the submarines utilised a single eight-cylinder diesel engine producing 240-brake-horsepower (179 kW), which powered one propeller shaft. When submerged, propulsion was provided by a 1,200-horsepower (895 kW) electric motor. The vessels could achieve speeds of up to 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h; 10.9 mph) on the surface and 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) when underwater. Their operational range extended to 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 km; 2,800 mi) at a cruising speed of 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph), and while submerged, they could cover 60 nautical miles (110 km; 69 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph).
Armament consisted of six bow-mounted 18-inch (45 cm) torpedo tubes, with an additional six torpedoes stored as reloads, totaling twelve torpedoes onboard. For target detection while submerged, they were fitted with a bow array comprising five hydrophone sensors.
Construction and service history
The keel of HMS R9 was laid on 1 December 1917 by Armstrong Whitworth. She was subsequently launched on 12 August 1918 and officially entered service on 26 July 1919. Similar to the majority of the R class submarines, she arrived too late to participate in any engagements during World War I. On 21 February 1923, she was sold to E. Suren.
Notes
References
- Akermann, Paul (2002). Encyclopaedia of British Submarines 1901–1955 (reprint of the 1989 ed.). Penzance, Cornwall: Periscope Publishing. ISBN 1-904381-05-7.
- Template:Cite Colledge2006
- Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
- Harrison, A. N. (January 1979). "The Development of HM Submarines From Holland No. 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930) (BR3043)". RN Subs. Retrieved 27 September 2022.