Jump to content

HMS Onslaught (S14)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HMS Onslaught
History
United Kingdom
NameOnslaught
BuilderChatham Dockyard
Laid down8 April 1959
Launched24 September 1960
Commissioned14 August 1962
Decommissioned1990
IdentificationPennant number: S14
General characteristics as designed
Class and typeOberon-class submarine
Displacement
  • 1,610 tons standard
  • 2,030 tons full load surfaced
  • 2,410 tons full load submerged
Length
Beam26.5 feet (8.1 m)
Draught18 feet (5.5 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Admiralty Standard Range 16 VMS diesel generators
  • 2 × 3,000 shaft horsepower (2,200 kW) electric motors
  • 2 shafts
Speed
  • 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) submerged
  • 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced
Complement68
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Type 186 and Type 187 sonars
  • I-band surface search radar
Armament
  • 8 × 21-inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes (6 forward, 2 aft)
  • 24 torpedoes

HMS Onslaught was a British Oberon-class attack submarine operated by the Royal Navy.

Design and construction

[edit]

The Oberon class was a direct follow on of the Porpoise-class, with the same dimensions and external design, but updates to equipment and internal fittings, and a higher grade of steel used for fabrication of the pressure hull.[1]

As designed for British service, the Oberon-class submarines were 241 feet (73 m) in length between perpendiculars and 295.2 feet (90.0 m) in length overall, with a beam of 26.5 feet (8.1 m), and a draught of 18 feet (5.5 m).[2] Displacement was 1,610 tons standard, 2,030 tons full load when surfaced, and 2,410 tons full load when submerged.[2] Propulsion machinery consisted of 2 Admiralty Standard Range 16 VMS diesel generators, and two 3,000 shaft horsepower (2,200 kW) electric motors, each driving a 7-foot-diameter (2.1 m), 3-bladed propeller at up to 400 rpm.[2] Top speed was 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) when submerged, and 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) on the surface.[2] Eight 21-inch (530 mm) diameter torpedo tubes were fitted (six facing forward, two aft), with a total payload of 24 torpedoes.[2] The boats were fitted with Type 186 and Type 187 sonars, and an I-band surface search radar.[2] The standard complement was 68: 6 officers, 62 sailors.[2]

Onslaught was laid down by Chatham Dockyard on 8 April 1959, and launched on 24 September 1960.[2] The boat was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 14 August 1962.[2]

Operational history

[edit]

Onslaught was first assigned to the 2nd Submarine Squadron, based in Devonport. She was reassigned to the Singapore-based 7th Squadron in 1966, and received a refit in Devonport from 1970 to 1972. She was then assigned to the 1st Squadron in 1972.[3] Her squadron assignemnt after 1983 is unknown.

Her patrols in the Mediterranean and Baltic from 1986 to 1988 are classified.[4]

Decommissioning and fate

[edit]

Onslaught was paid off in 1990, and broken up in Aliaga, Turkey in 1991.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Chant, Christopher (2005). Submarine Warfare Today: The World's Deadliest Underwater Weapons Systems. Wigston: Silverdale Books. p. [page needed]. ISBN 1-84509-158-2. OCLC 156749009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Moore, John, ed. (1977). Jane's Fighting Ships 1977-78. Jane's Fighting Ships (80th ed.). London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 490. ISBN 0531032779. OCLC 18207174.
  3. ^ "H.M. Submarine Onslaught Large Patrol Submarine". britsub.x10.mx. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Rear-Admiral David Cooke - obituary". Daily Telegraph. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  5. ^ "HM Submarine Onslaught (1960 - 1991)". kenthistoryforum.com. Retrieved 6 May 2024.

Publications

[edit]