“C” Class.
(Completed 1906–10.)
C’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38.
This class of submarines is composed of vessels of the improved “B” type. They have a submerged displacement of 320 tons and are 135 feet long and 13 ½ feet broad. The petrol motors develop 600 H.-P. and give to these vessels a speed of 14 knots an hour on the surface. The power of the electric engines was increased to 300 H.-P., giving a submerged speed of just over 9 knots an hour. The surface cruising range is 2,000 knots at the most economical speed, and the submerged endurance 100 knots at 5 knots an hour. Their armament consists of two bow tubes with six 18-inch Whitehead torpedoes; and their complement sixteen officers and men.
In the later vessels of the “C” class heavy oil is used instead of petrol, giving a great increase in power without the comparative additional weight; enabling a wider radius of action. The vessels of both the “B” and “C” classes are fitted with air-traps and safety-helmets, giving the crew a possible means of escape in the event of disaster while submerged.
The distinguishing feature of the “C” class is the sloping bow. The C.11 collided with the steamer Eddystone in the North Sea in 1909 and was irretrievably lost.