HMS Artemis (P449)

HMS Artemis (P449) was an Amphion-class submarine of the Royal Navy, built by Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. of Greenock and launched 28 August 1946.[1] The submarine sank while refueling in 1971, was raised and sold for breaking up in 1972.

"HMS Artemis" redirects here. For the fictional ship, see The Ship (novel).

History
United Kingdom
NameArtemis
BuilderScotts of Greenock
Laid down28 February 1944
Launched26 August 1946
Commissioned15 August 1947
IdentificationPennant number P449
FateSank 1 July 1971. Sold to Pounds of Portsmouth for scrap in 1972
General characteristics
Class and typeAmphion-class submarine
Displacement1,360/1,590 tons (surface/submerged)
Length293 ft 6 in (89.46 m)
Beam22 ft 4 in (6.81 m)
Draught18 ft 1 in (5.51 m)
Propulsion2 × 2,150 hp (1,600 kW) Admiralty ML 8-cylinder diesel engine, 2 × 625 hp (466 kW) electric motors for submergence driving two shafts
Speed
  • 18.5 kn (34.3 km/h) surface, 8 kn (15 km/h) submerged
  • 10,500 nmi (19,400 km) at 11 kn (20 km/h) surfaced
  • 16 nmi (30 km) at 8 kn (15 km/h) or 90 nmi (170 km) at 3 kn (5.6 km/h) submerged
Test depth350 ft (110 m)
Complement60
Armament

Design

Like all Amphion-class submarines, Artemis had a displacement of 1,360 tonnes (1,500 short tons) when at the surface and 1,590 tonnes (1,750 short tons) while submerged. It had a total length of 293 feet 6 inches (89.46 m), a beam of 22 feet 4 inches (6.81 m), and a draught of 18 feet 1 inch (5.51 m). The submarine was powered by two Admiralty ML eight-cylinder diesel engines generating 2,150 horsepower (1,600 kW) each. It also contained four electric motors, each producing 625 horsepower (466 kW), that drove two shafts.[2] It could carry a maximum of 219 tonnes (241 short tons) of diesel, although it usually carried between 159 and 165 tonnes (175 and 182 short tons).[2]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph) and a submerged speed of 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).[3] When submerged, it could operate at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) for 90 nautical miles (170 km; 100 mi) or at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) for 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi). When surfaced, it was able to travel 15,200 nautical miles (28,200 km; 17,500 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) or 10,500 nautical miles (19,400 km; 12,100 mi) at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).[2] Artemis was fitted with ten 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, one QF 4 inch naval gun Mk XXIII, one Oerlikon 20 mm cannon, and a .303 British Vickers machine gun. Its torpedo tubes were fitted to the bow and stern, and it could carry twenty torpedoes. Its complement was sixty-one crew members.[2]

Service history

In September 1952 Artemis deployed to Canada a second time for anti-submarine training with the Royal Canadian Navy. Artemis replaced the damaged Alderney, which had developed issues while training with vessels of the Royal Canadian Navy off Bermuda.[4] In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[5]

On 1 July 1971 Artemis sank in 18 feet (5.5 m) of water while moored at the shore establishment HMS Dolphin at Gosport during refuelling. The sub dipped by the stern (she was being prepared for fuelling using the aft externals) which filled and the sub sank.[6] All aboard escaped, with decisive action by four crew members resulting in bravery awards.[7] She was raised on 6 July and decommissioned, sold to be broken up for scrap on 12 December 1971.[1]

References
  1. "Artemis". Uboat.net. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  2. Paul Akermann (1 November 2002). Encyclopedia of British Submarines 1901-1955. Periscope Publishing Ltd. p. 422. ISBN 978-1-904381-05-1.
  3. "Acheron class". World Naval Ships, Cranston Fine Arts. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  4. "Submarine Artemis Back for Second Time". The Crowsnest. Vol. 4, no. 12. Queen's Printer. October 1952. p. 3.
  5. Souvenir Programme, Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15th June 1953, HMSO, Gale and Polden
  6. "Making History: The sinking of HMS Artemis, 1971". BBC. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  7. "Page 11631 | Supplement 45793, 3 October 1972 | London Gazette | the Gazette".

Publications
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