B-class (USA) Submarine (1907)
The B class of submarines consisted of three boats - the Viper, Cuttlefish and Tarantula.
The B-class was made up of the three submarines, each designated "USS Viper", "USS Cuttlefish" and "USS Tarantula". All three set about to open sea as a crew trainers and patrol craft in both local and international waters, eventually being put to rest as target vessels by the end of their useful operational lives. Power for the class was derived from a single gasoline engine developing 250 horsepower. An electric motor of 50 horsepower serviced the vessel when submerged, requiring surface air to charge. Surfaced and submarged speeds were quite similar across all three vessels and primary armament consisted of 2 x 457mm forward-facing torpedo tubes with four reloads. Crew accommodation for the series amounted to 10 personnel (the A-class fitted nine). As can be expected on these ealry submarines, conditions aboard the B-class were decidedly cramped though relatively improved over that as on the smaller Holland and A-class submarines. To go along with its identifiable shape, the B-class also sported a periscope in its conning tower. A second one was to be added later in its life but the stage was set for submarine design in the United States for years to come.
The definitive B-class designs went on to offer much of what was to come in terms of USN submarine design for the next few decades. By this time, the submarine would now come into its own in the inventory of the USN and other navies worldwide. The USN eventually set the vessel class apart from its "Torpedo Fleet" and formed its submarines into a new "Submarine Flotilla" group. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
B-class (USA)
Submarine
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1907
Operators: United States
Crew: 10
Length: 25ft (7.62m)
Beam: 4ft (1.22m)
Draught: 0ft (0.00m)
Displacement: 140tons
Machinery: 1 x petrol engine delivering 250hp; 1 x electric engine delivering 50hp.
Surface Speed: 9kts (10mph)
Submerged Speed: 8kts (9mph)
Range: 0miles (0km)
Armament:
2 x 457mm Torpedo Tubes with four torpedo reloads.
Ship Class: B-class
Number-in-Class: 3
Ships-in-Class: USS Viper (B-1 / SS-10); USS Cuttlefish (B-2 / SS-11); USS Tarantula (B-3 / SS-12)
BY TYPE:
• Age of Sail
• Aircraft Carriers
• Escort Carriers
• Amphibious
• Amphibious Assault
• Battlecruisers
• Battleships
• Cargo Ships
• Corvettes
• Cruisers
• Destroyers
• Destroyer Escorts
• Dreadnoughts
• Pre-Dreadnoughts
• Personal Watercraft
• Frigates
• Helicopter Carriers
• Ironclads
• Mine Warfare
• Patrol Craft
• Special Forces Watercraft
• Special Purpose
• Submarines
• Steam and Sail Warships
• Torpedo Boats
• VIEW ALL
BATTLESHIPS:
• Battleships
• 2nd Class Battleships
• Pocket Battleships
SUBMARINES:
• Diesel-Electric Submarines
• Ballistic Missile Submarines
• Midget Submarines
• Nuclear Attack Submarines
• VIEW ALL
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 2:
• Aircraft Carriers
• Battleships
• British Warships
• Destroyers
• French Warships
• German Warships
• German U-Boat Submarines
• Italian Warships
• Japanese Warships
• American Warships
• Submarines
• WW2 Warships (ALL)
VIETNAM WAR:
• VIEW ALL
MISCELLANEOUS:
• Battle of Trafalgar
• Civil War Ships
• How Submarines Work
• Modern Aircraft Carriers
• Modern Warships
• United States Navy Carriers
• United States Navy Classification
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
