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HMS Acheron (P411)

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History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Acheron
BuilderHM Dockyard, Chatham
Laid down26 August 1944
Launched25 March 1947
Commissioned17 April 1948
DecommissionedFebruary 1971
IdentificationP411
FateSold for scrap, 1972
General characteristics
Class and typeAmphion-class submarine
Displacement1,360/1,590 tons (surface/submerged)
Length293 ft 6 in (89.46 m)
Beam22 ft 4 in (6.81 m)
Draught18 ft 1 in (5.51 m)
Propulsion2 × 2,150 hp (1,600 kW) Admiralty ML 8-cylinder diesel engine, 2 × 625 hp (466 kW) electric motors for submergence driving two shafts
Speed
  • 18.5 kn (34.3 km/h) surface, 8 kn (15 km/h) submerged
  • 10,500 nmi (19,400 km) at 11 kn (20 km/h) surfaced
  • 16 nmi (30 km) at 8 kn (15 km/h) or 90 nmi (170 km) at 3 kn (5.6 km/h) submerged
Test depth350 ft (110 m)
Complement60
Armament
The Royal Navy Amphion-class submarine operating on the surface in the South China Sea during exercise "Oceanlink" in May 1958.
Amphion-class submarine

HMS Acheron (P411) was an Amphion-class submarine of the Royal Navy, laid down 26 August 1944, launched 25 March 1947 and completed in 1948.

Design

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Like all Amphion-class submarines, Acheron had a displacement of 1,360 tonnes (1,500 short tons) when at the surface and 1,590 tonnes (1,750 short tons) while submerged. It had a total length of 293 feet 6 inches (89.46 m), a beam of 22 feet 4 inches (6.81 m), and a draught of 18 feet 1 inch (5.51 m). The submarine was powered by two Admiralty ML eight-cylinder diesel engines generating a power of 2,150 horsepower (1,600 kW) each. It also contained four electric motors each producing 625 horsepower (466 kW) that drove two shafts.[1] It could carry a maximum of 219 tonnes (241 short tons) of diesel, although it usually carried between 159 and 165 tonnes (175 and 182 short tons).[1]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph) and a submerged speed of 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).[2] When submerged, it could operate at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) for 90 nautical miles (170 km; 100 mi) or at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) for 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi). When surfaced, it was able to travel 15,200 nautical miles (28,200 km; 17,500 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) or 10,500 nautical miles (19,400 km; 12,100 mi) at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).[1] Acheron was fitted with ten 21 inches (530 mm) torpedo tubes, one QF 4 inch naval gun Mk XXIII, one Oerlikon 20 mm cannon, and a .303 British Vickers machine gun. Its torpedo tubes were fitted to the bow and stern, and it could carry twenty torpedoes. Its complement was sixty-one crew members.[1]

Service history

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Acheron took part in the Coronation Review of the Fleet to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.[3] It carried out 'General Naval Service' around the UK until the end of 1964. A geomagnetic storm in February 1956, during solar cycle 19, interfered with radio communications and prompted a search for the submarine after it lost radio contact.[4] From August to December 1959, It took part in a cruise to South Africa and Pakistan.[5]

It was decommissioned and broken up in 1972 at the yard of J Cashmore of Newport.[6]

Commanding officers

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From To Captain
1949 1949 Lieutenant-Commander F D G Challis DSC RN
1953 1953 Lieutenant S H Kempster RN
1956 1956 Lieutenant J Fieldhouse RN
1965 1966 Lieutenant D C Elliot RN

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Paul Akermann (1 November 2002). Encyclopedia of British Submarines 1901–1955. Periscope Publishing Ltd. p. 422. ISBN 978-1-904381-05-1.
  2. ^ "Acheron class". World Naval Ships, Cranston Fine Arts. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  3. ^ Souvenir Programme, Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15 June 1953, HMSO, Gale and Polden
  4. ^ "Missing British Sub Feared Lost, Safe; Search Called Off" (PDF). Amsterdam Evening Recorder. Vol. LXXVII, no. 158. Amsterdam, New York. 24 February 1956. p. 1. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Acheron Pays Visit to Africa and Karachi: Splendid Christmas at sea". Navy News. February 1960. p. 5. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Acheron". Uboat.net. Retrieved 20 August 2015.

Publications

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