HMS L56
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HMS L56 was a late-model L-class submarine built for the Royal Navy during the First World War. The boat was not completed before the end of the war and was sold for scrap in 1938.
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS L56 |
| Builder | Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan |
| Laid down | 16 October 1917 |
| Launched | 29 May 1919 |
| Fate | Sold for scrapping, 25 March 1938 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | L-class submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 235 ft (71.6 m) |
| Beam | 23 ft 6 in (7.2 m) |
| Draught | 13 ft 2 in (4.0 m) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | 4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 8 kn (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) on the surface |
| Test depth | 150 feet (45.7 m) |
| Complement | 44 |
| Armament |
|
Design and description
L52 and its successors were modified to maximise the number of 21-inch (53.3 cm) torpedoes carried in the bow. The submarine had a length of 235 feet (71.6 m) overall, a beam of 23 feet 6 inches (7.2 m) and a mean draft of 13 feet 2 inches (4.0 m).[1] They displaced 960 long tons (980 t) on the surface and 1,150 long tons (1,170 t) submerged. The L-class submarines had a crew of 44 officers and ratings.[2] They had a diving depth of 150 feet (45.7 m).[3]
For surface running, the boats were powered by two 12-cylinder Vickers[4] 1,200-brake-horsepower (895 kW) diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft. When submerged each propeller was driven by a 600-horsepower (447 kW) electric motor. They could reach 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) on the surface and 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) underwater. On the surface, the L class had a range of 4,200 nautical miles (7,800 km; 4,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[1]
The boats were armed with six 21-inch torpedo tubes in the bow. They carried eight reload torpedoes for a grand total of a dozen torpedoes.[5] They were also armed with two 4-inch (102 mm) deck guns.[2]
Construction and career
HMS L56 was laid down on 16 October 1917 by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at their Govan shipyard, launched on 29 May 1919, and completed on 3 September 1919. The boat was sold for scrap on 25 March 1938.