Stranded 29 September 1909
SUBMARINES HM C32 (FAR LEFT) AND HM C31 ALONGSIDE
These submarines, designed for Coastal duties, were the first major production (38 submarines in all) for the Royal Navy. These submarines were considered for harbour defence and a alternative to minefields. This was the idea of Admiral Fisher. This design was slightly larger than the B class, and a major difference was that it had two periscopes one for a continues look out and one for the commanding officer.
HMS 'C32',commissioned on 19 November 1909, was involved in the North Sea operations from 1914 to 1916.She was also involved in the Baltic operations from 1916 to 1917. During HMS C32's patrol in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic, she sank a merchant ship.
Based at Rogekul to operate in the Gulf of Riga, the submarine was seriously damaged during attack on German naval forces in October 1917. Deliberately ran aground and destroyed by her crew near Pernau, Gulf of Riga, on 22nd October 1917.
The British C class submarines were the last class of petrol engine submarines of the Royal Navy and marked the end of the development of the Holland-class in the Royal Navy. Thirty eight were constructed between 1905 and 1910 and they served through World War I.
Displacement: 288 tons surfaced and 318 tons submerged. Speed: 13 knots on the surface and 7.5 knots submerged. Range: 1000 nautical miles on the surface at 8.75 knots.
Powered by a Vickers Petrol engine giving 600hp on surface and 300 Hp submerged.
Compliment: 16 Armament: two 18-inch Torpedo Tubes and carried four torpedoes.
