Narval class submarine

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The Narval class were patrol submarines built for the French Navy in the 1950's. They were designed as long range Patrol submarines. They were inlfuenced by the German Type XXI U-boat of World War II.

[edit] General characteristics

From Conway's All the World's Fighting ships 1947-1995

• Displacement: 1635 tons surfaced, 1910 tons submerged
• Length: 78.4 m
• Beam: 7.8 m
• Draught: 5.2 m
• Machinery: 2 shafts -
  • 2 7 cylinder diesels (4400 hp) - re engined with new diesels in 1965-68
  • 2 electric motors (5000 hp)
• Speed:
  • 16 knots surfaced,
  • 18 knots submerged
• Range: 15,000 nm at 8 knots
• Armament; 8 - 550 torpedo tubes (6 bow, 2 stern)
• Crew: 63

[edit] Ships

name	Builder	Completed	Decommissioned
S631 Narval	Arsenal de Cherbourg	1 December 1957	1986
S632 Marsouin	Arsenal de Cherbourg	1 October 1957	1987
S633 Dauphin	Arsenal de Cherbourg	1 August 1958	1992
S634 Requin	Arsenal de Cherbourg	1 August 1958	1985
S637 Espadon	AC Augustin Normand	2 April 1960	decommissioned 1985 - museum ship in Saint Nazaire
S638 Morse	AC de la Seine Maritime	2 May 1960	1986

[edit] Details

During her last years, Dauphin was extensively modified to be used as a test bed for equipment and sensors to be installed on the Triomphant-class SSBN, then under design. When finally decommissionned in 1992, she was the oldest submarine in service. She was later expended as a target ship off Toulon.