 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2017) |
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | K class |
| Builders | |
| Operators |  Royal Navy |
| In commission | 1917–1931 |
| Planned | 21 |
| Completed | 17 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 339 ft (103 m) |
| Beam | 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m) |
| Draught | 20 ft 11 in (6.38 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Complement | 59 (6 officers and 53 ratings) |
| Armament |
|
The K-class submarines were a class of steam-propelled submarines of the Royal Navy designed in 1913. Intended as large, fast vessels with the endurance and speed to operate with the battle fleet, they gained notoriety and the nickname of "Kalamity class" for being involved in many accidents. Of the 18 built, none were lost through enemy action, but six sank, with significant loss of life, in accidents. Only one ever engaged an enemy vessel, K-7 hitting a U-boat amidships, though the torpedo failed to explode with what has been described as typical "K" luck; K-7 escaped retaliation by steaming away at speed.[2]
The class found favour with Commodore Roger Keyes, then Inspector Captain of Submarines, and with admirals Sir John Jellicoe, Commander-in-Chief British Grand Fleet, and Sir David Beatty, Commander-in-Chief Battlecruiser Squadrons. An opponent of the class was Admiral Jacky Fisher, later First Sea Lord, who on the class' suggestion in 1913 had responded 'The most fatal error imaginable would be to put steam engines in submarines.'[citation needed]
Submarines and their use at the time were still in its infancy. Submarines, which later acted only by stealth, are no longer expected to be within a surface warship formation.
- ^ Cocker, M. P.; Warne, Frederick (1982). Observer's Directory of Royal Naval Submarines 1901–1982. London. p. 42. ISBN 0723229643.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Edwyn Gray (31 January 2016). British Submarines at War: 1914–1918. Pen and Sword. pp. 220–221. ISBN 978-1-4738-5348-5.