French submarine X
X was a steel single hull submarine built for the French Navy between 1904 and 1905. She was launched in November 1904 and commissioned in 1905. Gaston Romazzotti modified the design of Farfadet to create an experimental submarine which was the first with twin shafts.
 X, date unknown | |
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Name: | X |
| Namesake: | X |
| Operator: | French Navy |
| Builder: | Arsenal de Cherbourg |
| Cost: | 499,400 Francs |
| Launched: | 15 November 1904 |
| Completed: | 1905 |
| Renamed: | Dauphin on 13 February 1911 |
| Identification: | Q 35 |
| Fate: | Stricken in May 1914 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Submarine |
| Displacement: | |
| Length: | 37.6 m (123 ft 4 in) |
| Beam: | 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Draught: | 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: |
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| Range: |
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| Complement: | 15 men |
| Armament: |
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Design
X was an experimental submarine designed by Gaston Romazzotti based on the previous Farfadet. Steel was used to construct the single hull and she was the first submarine to have twin shafts.[1][2] The submarine had a surfaced displacement of 168 long tons (171 t) and a submerged displacement of 179 long tons (182 tonnes). Her dimensions were 37.6 metres (123 feet 4 inches) long, with a beam of 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) and a draught of 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in). X had two shafts powered by two gasoline engines for surface running with a combined total of 260 hp (194 kW) and two electric motors which together produced 230 horsepower (170 kilowatts) for submerged propulsion. Her maximum speed was 8.25 knots (15.28 kilometres per hour; 9.49 miles per hour) on the surface and 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph) while submerged with a surfaced range of 170 nautical miles (310 kilometres; 200 miles) at 8.25 knots (15.28 km/h) and a submerged range of 60 nautical miles (110 km) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h). Her complement was 15 men.[1][2]
Her armament comprised one 450 mm (17.7 in) bow torpedo tube, two 450 mm (17.7 in) Drzewiecki drop collar torpedo launchers and a 450 mm (17.7 in) external cradle for one torpedo. In total six torpedoes were carried.[1][2]
Construction and career
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X was laid down in the Arsenal de Cherbourg, launched on 15 November 1904 and completed in 1905. The submarine received the pennant number Q 35 at her commissioning and cost just under half a million Francs.[2]
On 13 February 1911, X was renamed Dauphin.[1][2] Dauphin served in the English Channel until 21 May 1914, when she was struck from the Navy List.[1]
See also
References
- Fontenoy, p. 78
- Gardiner, p. 207
Citations
- Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 978-0-85177-245-5.
- Fontenoy, Paul E. (2007). Submarines: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85109-563-6.