SMS S32 (1886)

SMS S32[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2], was a torpedo boat of the Imperial German Navy. She was built in 1886 by Schichau at Elbing, as one of a large number of small torpedo boats of similar design built for the German navy. S32 was sunk in a collision with the torpedo boat S76 in the Baltic Sea on 17 August 1910.

For other ships with the same name, see SMS S32.
History
German Empire
NameSMS S32
BuilderSchichau-Werke, Elbing
Launched12 November 1886
Completed8 December 1886
FateSunk in collision with SMS S76 on 17 August 1910
General characteristics
Displacement119 t (117 long tons) design
Length39.12 m (128 ft 4 in)
Beam5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
Draught2.52 m (8 ft 3 in)
Installed power900 PS (890 ihp; 660 kW)
Propulsion1 × Triple expansion steam engine
Speed19.9 kn (22.9 mph; 36.9 km/h)
Complement20
Armament3× 35 cm (14 in) torpedo tubes

Design and construction

In 1884, the Imperial German Navy started to build up a force of torpedo boats, ordering a number of prototypes from several shipyards, both at home and abroad. Following delivery of these prototypes, the Schichau-Werke became the principle supplier of torpedo boats to the German Navy, a position it held for many years, with large orders for torpedo boats of similar, but gradually improving design being placed.[2]

S32 was launched from Schichau's shipyard at Elbing, East Prussia (now Elbląg in Poland) on 12 November 1886 and completed on 8 December 1886.[3] The ship was 39.12 metres (128 ft 4 in) long, with a beam of 5.30 metres (17 ft 5 in) and a draught of 2.52 metres (8 ft 3 in).[4] Displacement was 119 tonnes (117 long tons). She was powered by a three-cylinder Triple expansion steam engine, rated at 900 metric horsepower (890 ihp; 660 kW), which drove a single shaft, giving a speed of 19.9 knots (22.9 mph; 36.9 km/h).[5]

S32 carried three 35 cm (14 in) torpedo tubes, with a single spare torpedo carried.[4] The ship's initial gun armament consisted of a single Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon,[5][lower-alpha 3] which was replaced by a 5 cm SK L/40 gun from 1893.[4][5] The ship had a crew of 20.[4]

Service

S32 was serving as a training boat as part of the 1st Torpedo Division at Kiel in 1894,[6] and remained on the same duty in 1899.[7] From 5 June 1910, S32 served as the tender for the light cruiser Danzig, which was attached to the naval artillery inspectorate to train the fleet's gunners.[8] On the night of 16/17 August, she was involved in a collision with the torpedo boat S76 in the Kieler Förde. Danzig came to both boats' aid and took off their crews.[8] Both boats sank, although S76 was later salvaged and returned to service.[9]

Notes
  1. "SMS" stands for "Seiner Majestät Schiff" (transl. His Majesty's Ship)
  2. The "S" in S32 denoted the shipbuilder who constructed her, in this case Schichau.[1]
  3. Two Hotchkiss guns according to Conway's.[4]

Citations
  1. Gardiner & Gray 1985, p. 164
  2. Chesneau & Kolesnik 1979, pp. 262–263
  3. Gröner, Jung & Maass 1983, p. 32
  4. Chesneau & Kolesnik 1979, p. 263
  5. Gröner, Jung & Maass 1983, p. 31
  6. Rangeliste der Kaiserlisch-Deutschen Marine 1894, p. 35
  7. Rangeliste der Kaiserlisch-Deutschen Marine 1899, p. 36
  8. Hildebrand, Röhr, & Steinmetz, p. 218.
  9. Gröner, Jung & Maass 1983, pp. 32, 34

References
  • Chesneau, Roger; Kolesnik, Eugene M., eds. (1979). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-133-5.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1983). Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815–1945: Band 2: Torpedoboote, Zerstörer, Schnellboote, Minensuchboote, Minenräumboote (in German). Koblenz: Bernard & Graef Verlag. ISBN 3-7637-4801-6.
  • Hildebrand, Hans H.; Röhr, Albert & Steinmetz, Hans-Otto (1993). Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe: Biographien: ein Spiegel der Marinegeschichte von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart (Band 2) [The German Warships: Biographies: A Reflection of Naval History from 1815 to the Present (Vol. 2)] (in German). Ratingen: Mundus Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8364-9743-5.
  • Rangeliste der Kaiserlisch-Deutschen Marine für das Jahr 1894 (in German). Berlin: Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn. 1894.
  • Rangeliste der Kaiserlisch-Deutschen Marine für das Jahr 1899 (in German). Berlin: Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn. 1899.
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