HMS M1 (M-class)

History of the HMS M1 (M-class)

By World War I (1914-1918), British diesel-electric submarines carried torpedo weapons and small-caliber decks for underwater operations Cannon surface work. The latter were primarily used against poorly defended merchant types and proved to be more cost-effective compared to individual torpedoes.

The same weapon could be used to some extent against land-based coastal targets, making it a dual-purpose threat. British submarine engineers didn't stop there, as they envisioned entirely new offensive weapons for their submarine fleet and planned a class of submersibles designed to attack fortified coastal defences with full-fledged naval artillery.

This led to the creation of the Royal Navy Submarine Group "M-Class", which received the largest submarine-armed artillery ever built. The group consisted of only three ships in total, designated HMS M1, HMS M2 and HMS M3, all carrying primary armament of 1 x 12 in (305 mm)/40 caliber Mark IX guns to complement the more traditional Navy guns. 1st x 3" (76 mm) Mk II HA anti-aircraft gun (AA) and 4 x 18" (450 mm) torpedoes.

The main guns were armed with 50 projectiles, while the four torpedoes carried only one salvo - demonstrating the true battlefield nature (coastal attack) of these ships.

The HMS M1 is 295.8 ft long with a 24.7 ft beam and has a displacement of 1,620 tons when surfaced and nearly 2,000 tons underwater. Power comes from a conventional diesel-electric configuration with 2 Vickers 12-cylinder 2,400 hp diesel units for surface propulsion and 4 3,200 hp electric motors for underwater propulsion.

These are used to drive a pair of 3-blade shafts mounted aft.

Speeds up to 15 knots on the surface and down to 9 knots when launched. The range is 2,000 nautical miles (2,300 mi) at 15 knots on the ground. This can be increased to 4,500 knots (5,200 miles) when cruising at 10 knots. The hull has been tested to a depth of 200 feet.

On board is a typical crew of 62 officers and seamen.

Although the ship is given a traditional submarine-like appearance with a tapered bow and stern to match its sails/conning towers, the ship is undeniable thanks to the large recognizable artillery guns integrated into the hull/sails is instant. The height span of the cannon allowed the submarine to remain underwater, while the muzzle of the barrel protruded above the waterline.

Aiming was done with periscope and forward alignment, which provided fairly good accuracy when the shells were submerged. The weapon fires a massive 850 lb projectile at the target/target area and its reliability is unquestionable.

As an attack submarine, the M1 was never intended to engage enemy submarines or even warships directly, but to engage and destroy German positions and targets of opportunity on the conquered Belgian coast.

One of the main flaws of the concept is the requirement that the vessel must be surfaced for reloading. The reloading process was as quick as reloading land-based artillery - relatively quick - but the entire operation was time-consuming and left the ship vulnerable to counter fire or air strikes.

While a total of three ships were built to M-class standards, only the HMS M1 was launched and operated during the war years. She left her shipyard on July 9, 1917, and began operations in 1918, spending some time in the Mediterranean - but with the armistice of November 1918, the war was quickly over, so she Never fired in anger.

In 1923, its waterway was damaged by a water leak. On November 12, 1925, the Swedish ship SS Vidar collided with the sinking HMS M1, her life ended in the waters of the English Channel. She and all the men on the boat were lost. Her wreck was not discovered until 1999 at a depth of 240 feet.

Specification

Fundamentals

Years of Service

1918

Origins

UK

Status

Lost in action

No longer on duty.

supplement

62

staff

Class information

Class

Class M

Class Size

4

ships

Class

HMS-M1; HMS M2; HMS M3; M4 (unfinished)

Operators

UK

Roles

Underwater Attack

Move subsurface to find, track and/or attack or reconnaissance areas.

Sea Patrol

Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Fleet Support

Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

295. 8 feet

90.16m

Ray

24.7 feet

7.53m

Shift

1,620 t

No. submerged

2,000 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power:

2 x Vickers 12 cylinder 2,400hp diesel engines and 4 x 3,200hp electric motors on 2 x stern shafts.

Surface Velocity

15. 0 nodes

(17.3 km/h)

Underwater speed

9. 0 nodes

(10.4 km/h)

Area

1,999nm

(2,300 miles | 3,701 kilometers)

Weapon

1 x 12" (305mm)/40 caliber Mark IX gun (carries 50 x 305mm projectiles). 4 x 18" (450mm) torpedo tubes in bow (carries four reloads) ). 1 x 3" (76 mm) Mk II HA anti-aircraft (AA) deck gun.

Aircraft

None.