HMS Spearhead (P263)

HMS Spearhead
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Spearhead
Builder: Cammell Laird & Co Limited, Birkenhead
Laid down: 18 August 1943
Launched: 2 October 1944
Commissioned: 21 December 1944
Fate: Sold to the Portuguese Navy in 1948 and renamed NRP Neptuno
Badge:
Portugal
Name: NRP Neptuno
Acquired: August 1948
Fate: Scrapped, 1967
General characteristics
Class & type: S-class submarine
Displacement:
  • 814 long tons (827 t) surfaced
  • 990 long tons (1,010 t) submerged
Length: 217 ft (66.1 m)
Beam: 23 ft 9 in (7.2 m)
Draught: 14 ft 1 in (4.3 m)
Installed power:
  • 1,900 bhp (1,400 kW) (diesel)
  • 1,300 hp (970 kW) (electric)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • 14.75 knots (27.32 km/h; 16.97 mph) surfaced
  • 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) submerged
Range: 7,500 nmi (13,900 km; 8,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surface; 120 nmi (220 km; 140 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged
Test depth: 350 feet (106.7 m)
Complement: 48
Armament:

HMS Spearhead was a S-class submarine of the third batch built for the Royal Navy during World War II. She survived the war and was sold to Portugal.

Design and description

The last 17 boats of the third batch were significantly modified from the earlier boats. They had a stronger hull, carried more fuel and their armament was revised. The submarines had a length of 217 feet (66.1 m) overall, a beam of 23 feet 9 inches (7.2 m) and a draft of 14 feet 1 inch (4.3 m). They displaced 814 long tons (827 t) on the surface and 990 long tons (1,010 t) submerged.[1] The S-class submarines had a crew of 48 officers and ratings. They had a diving depth of 350 feet (106.7 m).[2]

For surface running, the boats were powered by two 950-brake-horsepower (708 kW) diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft. When submerged each propeller was driven by a 650-horsepower (485 kW) electric motor.[3] They could reach 14.75 knots (27.32 km/h; 16.97 mph) on the surface and 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) underwater.[1] On the surface, the third batch boats had a range of 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km; 8,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) and 120 nmi (220 km; 140 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged.[2]

Spearhead was armed with six 21-inch torpedo tubes in the bow. She carried six reload torpedoes for a grand total of a dozen torpedoes. Twelve mines could be carried in lieu of the torpedoes. The boat was also equipped with a 4-inch (102 mm) deck gun.[1]

Construction and career

HMS Spearhead was built by Cammell Laird and launched on 6 July 1944. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Spearhead.[4] Spearhead survived the Second World War and was sold to the Portuguese in August 1948 and renamed NRP Neptuno.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Chesneau, p. 52
  2. 1 2 McCartney, p. 7
  3. Bagnasco, p. 110
  4. HMS Spearhead, Uboat.net

References


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