Measuring 78m (256feet) long, with a beam of 6.8m (22.3feet) and a draught of 5.1m (16.7feet), Requin-class submarines could dive up to 80m (260feet). The submarine had a surfaced displacement of 11500NaN0 and a submerged displacement of 14410NaN0.
Propulsion while surfaced was provided by two 2900hp diesel motors and two 1800hp electric motors. The submarines' electrical propulsion allowed it to attain speeds of while submerged and on the surface. Their surfaced range was 7700nmi at 9kn, and 4000nmi at 12kn, with a submerged range of 70nmi at 5kn.[1]
From 1935 to 1937, Morse underwent a thorough overhaul. At the outbreak of World War II, she served in the Mediterranean Sea and was part of the 4th Submarine Flotilla in Bizerte. Morses commander at the time was Captain J.G.C. Paris. In June 1940, Morse was still based in Bizerte. Morse blew up on a mine in the same minefield off the Kerkennah Islands that sank her sister ship Narval six months later.[2] [3] [4] [5]