SUBMARINES: CHATHAM BUILT
Oberon: Prototype Patrol Submarine
Oberon was a development of the L Class submarines and the prototype for the
Odin Class.
Designed for operations in the Far East, she was of the saddle tank build and
with a thicker pressure hull than previous boats.
Diesel oil was stored in riveted tanks external to the pressure hull. Leakage of
oil leaving traces on the surface was common place and the tanks were later
welded to correct the problem.
The pressure hull was divided by 6 watertight bulkheads. the galley and the
heads, were enclosed by the casing and on top of the pressure hull. Also carried
under the casing was a 13½ foot motor dinghy.
Oberon was the first submarine designed and fitted with Asdic, passive detection
was provided for by the installation of type 709 hydrophones.
Designed for quick diving, she was fitted with a Q tank and reached periscope
depth in a little over 1 minute.
Although designed for Far East operations, Oberon spent most of her life
operating in Home Waters, the exception being three years in the Mediterranean.
From 1941 to the end of the war Oberon was used for training duties,
Oberon was scrapped in August 1945, eighteen years to the day, after her
commissioning.
For more information and pictures, select Oberon from side menu.
 |
| Oberon: Information | |||
| Commissioned | 1927 | ||
| Length (feet): | 269ft 8" |
||
| Beam (feet): | 27ft 11½" | ||
| Surface Displacement (tons): | 1510 |
||
| Submerged Displacement (tons): | 1892 |
||
| Speed (knots): | Surface: 13.75 Dived: 7.5 |
||
| Armament: | 6 x 21" Bow Tubes 2 x 21" Stern tubes 1 x 4" Gun 2 x .303 Lewis Guns |
||
| Propulsion: | 2 x 2950 bhp Diesel Engines 2 x 1350 bhp Electric Motors 2 Shafts |
||
| Range | 6,500 nm |
||
| Complement | 56 |
||