The D-class diesel-electric submarines were the first British deep water patrol boats taken into the Royal Navy inventory. This addition now provided warplanners with considerable tactical flexibility as the underwater force was no longer confined to coastal areas and could venture much further out in meeting the enemy. Compared to previous Royal Navy boats, the D-class offered up much more in the way of displacement, more powerful diesel engines and were outfitted with wireless sets for sending / receiving communications in-the-field. Eight such boats were laid down from the period of 1907 and 1910 (two more were planned but launched as E-class boats) and named rather appropriately as HMS D1 through HMS D8. Vickers Limited was involved in their construction.
The group superseded the earlier C-class and was itself succeeded by the E-class.
The boats were in active service when World War 1 (1914-1918) broke out in August of 1914. The force was assigned to convoy protection duty in Channel Waters as British ground forces made their way to France by ship for the fighting that lay ahead. There were also general patrols involving these boats in North Sea waters and around the Heligoland Bight (the bay located between Norway and Britain) in an effort to keep German forces contained. Before the cessation of hostilities, the boats were arranged as training platforms at Portsmouth for future submariners.
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HMS D1; HMS D2; HMS D3; HMS D4; HMS D5; HMS D6; HMS D7; HMS D8; HMS D9 (planned, finished as E-class boat); HMS D10 (planned, finished as E-class boat) Ships-in-Class
Submerged Attack
Traveling under the surface to search, track, and / or engage or reconnoiter areas.
Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.
163.0 feet (49.68 meters) Length
13.6 feet (4.15 meters) Beam
10.4 feet (3.17 meters) Draught
483 tons Displacement
600 tons Displacement (Submerged)
2 x Diesel engines with Electric motors driving 1,750 horsepower to 2 x shafts. Propulsion
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