Like all post-E8 British E-class submarines, E22 had a displacement of 662LT at the surface and 807LT while submerged. She had a total length of 180feet[1] and a beam of 22feet. She was powered by two Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines and two electric motors.[2] [3] The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 16kn and a submerged speed of 10kn. British E-class submarines had fuel capacities of 50LT of diesel and ranges of 3255miles when travelling at 10kn.[1] E21 was capable of operating submerged for five hours when travelling at 5kn.
E22 was armed with five 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes, two in the bow, one either side amidships, and one in the stern; a total of 10 torpedoes were carried.[2]
E-Class submarines had wireless systems with power ratings; in some submarines, these were later upgraded to systems by removing a midship torpedo tube. Their maximum design depth was although in service some reached depths of below . Some submarines contained Fessenden oscillator systems.[1]
Her complement was three officers and 28 men.[1]
E22 was involved in experiments in the North Sea to intercept Zeppelins on 24 April 1916. E22 carried two Sopwith Schneider seaplane scouts on her casing. The boat would then submerge in calm waters and the planes would float on the surface. They would then take off and then return to the East coast of England at Felixstowe. The trials were not repeated.
E22 was torpedoed by the German U-boat off Great Yarmouth in the North Sea on 25 April 1916.[4] There were two survivors, ERA F.S. Buckingham and Signalman William Harrod, taken prisoner by the U-boat.