This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2008) |
![]() HMS Excalibur (S40)
| |
History | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Name | Excalibur |
Ordered | 26 August 1947 |
Builder | Vickers Armstrong [2] |
Launched | 25 February 1955 |
Completed | 22 February 1958 |
Identification | Pennant number: S40 |
Nickname(s) | The Excruciator [1] |
Fate | Scrapped, 1968 |
Notes | Built at a cost of £1,142,000 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Explorer-class submarine |
Displacement | |
Length | 178 ft (54 m) |
Beam | 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m) |
Draught | 11 ft (3.4 m) |
Propulsion |
|
Speed | 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) (submerged) |
Complement | 41 |
Armament | None |
HMS Excalibur was the sister ship of HMS Explorer, the two submarines being the only high-test peroxide (HTP) powered submarines to be constructed for the Royal Navy. She is the only ship to be named as such, in honour of the sword of Arthurian legend.
Both Excalibur and Explorer were assigned to the 3rd Submarine Squadron although due to their experimental nature, they tended to operate independently, accompanied by their depot ship HMS Kingfisher and a fuel carrier, RFA Spabeck. They later acted as high-speed underwater targets for the Royal Navy's prototype nuclear-powered submarine HMS Dreadnought.
The submarine's periscope survives. It was installed in the starter's hut at the Golf House Club, the golf club at Elie and Earlsferry, Scotland; players and visitors may use it to view the golf course. [3]