British Royal Navy`s C class submarine   As in the `A` and `B` class so was the C class, a progressive development of the Holland type. The A, B and C class followed of entirely Vickers design, with a direct involvement of the Admiralty, and differ in every respect from any other known type of submarine.   Some 38 C class were laid down all of which were very similar in main characteristics to the B class although considerable improvements in details took place over the period. C-1to 18 were very similar to the Bs, C-19 to 38 had ballast keel and greatly improved both surface and submerge speed.   Specifications, HMS C-1, C class: Keel laid down by Vickers Sons & Maxim Ltd in Barrow-in-Furness; launched July 10, 1906   Displacement (srf/sub tons): 287/316              Dimensions (L*B*D feet): 142`2*13`7*8`9 Propulsion: 1*600hp 16-cylinder Vickers petrol engine, 1*300hp electric motors for submergence driving one shafts Speed (srf/sub knots): 12/7 Range (srf/sub n/miles@knots): 740@12 or 1,300@9/24@7 or 36@4.5 Diving depth (feet): 100 Complement: 2 officers 14 enlisted Torpedo: 2*18" bow torpedo tube, containing a total of 4 torpedoes Mines: none Armament: none   Construction A total of 38 boats were built during the years 1905-09, most of them by Vickers Sons & Maxim Ltd in Barrow-in-Furness, C-17 to 20 and C-33, 34 were built by Chatham Royal Dockyard. The class retained the spindle hull form as in former classes. Back to History Index