French submarine Narval (1925) explained
The
French submarine Narval was a
Requin-class submarine built for the
French Navy in the mid-1920s. Laid down in March 1923, it was launched in May 1925 and commissioned in July 1926. It joined the Free French naval forces at Malta at the time of the
French surrender during World War II. On or around 15 December 1940,
Narval sank after striking a mine in the same minefield off the
Kerkennah Islands that sank her sister ship
Morse six months prior.
Design
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]
Career
From 1935 to 1937, Narval underwent a thorough overhaul. At the outbreak of World War II, Narval served in the Mediterranean Sea, joining the 4th Submarine Flotilla in Bizerte, then being transferred to Beirut. Narvals commander was Captain Cloarec.[2] On 11 June 1940, Narval returned to Bizerte. At the time of signing the French surrender, the ship was on patrol, and its commander ignored the order on 17 June to stop visiting the British ports, and sailed to Malta. She entered the Free French Naval Forces. On 15 December 1940, Narval blew up on a mine in the same minefield off the Kerkennah Islands that sank her sister ship Morse six months earlier.[3] [4] [5]
References
Books
- Book: Fontenoy, Paul E. . Submarines: An Illustrated History of Their Impact (Weapons and Warfare) . Santa Barbara . ABC-CLIO Publishing. 2007 . 978-1-85109-563-6.
Notes and References
- Web site: Requin Class French Submarines . battleships-cruisers.co . 22 October 2018.
- Web site: French, Polish, German, United States Navy Ship Dispositions, September 1939. www.naval-history.net.
- Web site: FR Narval of the French Navy – French submarine of the Requin class – Allied Warships of WWII. uboat.net. 22 October 2018.
- Web site: Batiments ayant porté le nom de Narval. www.netmarine.net.
- Web site: Q 118. https://web.archive.org/web/20131104150851/http://sous-marin.france.pagesperso-orange.fr/Q118.htm. dead. 4 November 2013. 4 November 2013.
