HMS Saga was a S-class submarine of the third batch built for the Royal Navy during World War II. She survived the war and was sold to Portugal.

HMS Saga
History
Royal Navy EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameHMS Saga
Ordered7 April 1943
BuilderCammell Laird & Co Limited, Birkenhead
Laid down5 April 1944
Launched14 March 1945
Commissioned14 June 1945
FateSold to the Portuguese Navy in 11 October 1948, and renamed NRP Náutilo
Badge
Portugal
NameNRP Náutilo
Acquired11 October 1948
FatePlaced on disposal list in 1969
General characteristics
Class and typeS-class submarine
Displacement
  • 814 long tons (827 t) surfaced
  • 990 long tons (1,006 t) submerged
Length217 ft (66.1 m)
Beam23 ft 9 in (7.2 m)
Draught14 ft 1 in (4.3 m)
Installed power
  • 1,900 bhp (1,400 kW) (diesel)
  • 1,300 hp (970 kW) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 14.75 knots (27.32 km/h; 16.97 mph) surfaced
  • 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) submerged
Range7,500 nmi (13,900 km; 8,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surface; 120 nmi (220 km; 140 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged
Test depth350 feet (106.7 m)
Complement48
Armament

Design and description

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The last 17 boats of the third batch were significantly modified from the earlier boats. They had a stronger hull, carried more fuel and their armament was revised. The submarines had a length of 217 feet (66.1 m) overall, a beam of 23 feet 9 inches (7.2 m) and a draught of 14 feet 1 inch (4.3 m). They displaced 814 long tons (827 t) on the surface and 990 long tons (1,006 t) submerged.[1] The S-class submarines had a crew of 48 officers and ratings. They had a diving depth of 350 feet (106.7 m).[2]

For surface running, the boats were powered by two 950-brake-horsepower (708 kW) diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft. When submerged each propeller was driven by a 650-horsepower (485 kW) electric motor.[3] They could reach 14.75 knots (27.32 km/h; 16.97 mph) on the surface and 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) underwater.[1] On the surface, the third batch boats had a range of 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km; 8,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) and 120 nmi (220 km; 140 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged.[2]

Saga was armed with six 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes in the bow. She carried six reload torpedoes for a grand total of a dozen torpedoes. Twelve mines could be carried in lieu of the torpedoes. The boat was also equipped with a 4-inch (102 mm) deck gun.[1]

Construction and career

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HMS Saga built by Cammell Laird and launched on 14 March 1945. Thus far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Saga, after the Norse Sagas. Built as the Second World War was drawing to a close, she did not see much action. On 10 February 1946 Saga collided with, and sank, the trawler Girl Lena in the English Channel. Saga was sold to the Portuguese Navy in 1948 and renamed NRP Náutilo.[4]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Chesneau, p. 52
  2. ^ a b McCartney, p. 7
  3. ^ Bagnasco, p. 110
  4. ^ HMS Saga, Uboat.net

References

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  • Akermann, Paul (2002). Encyclopaedia of British Submarines 1901–1955 (reprint of the 1989 ed.). Penzance, Cornwall: Periscope Publishing. ISBN 1-904381-05-7.
  • Bagnasco, Erminio (1977). Submarines of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-962-6.
  • Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • McCartney, Innes (2006). British Submarines 1939–1945. New Vanguard. Vol. 129. Oxford, UK: Osprey. ISBN 1-84603-007-2.