French submarine Z

The French submarine Z was an experimental submarine built for the French Navy between 1902 and 1905. It was laid down in April 1902, launched in March 1904 and completed in 1905. Designed by Gabriel Maugas, Z was essentially an experimental submarine and it was the first French submarine to be commissioned with a diesel engine although Aigrette was the first to be launched.

Z
Z, date unknown
History
France
Name: Z
Namesake: Z
Operator: French Navy
Ordered: 10 June 1901
Builder: Arsenal de Rochefort
Cost: 779,300 Francs
Laid down: 1 April 1902
Launched: 28 March 1904
Commissioned: 3 June 1904
Identification: Q 36
Fate: Stricken in March 1910
General characteristics
Type: Submarine
Displacement:
Length: 41.3 m (135 ft 6 in)
Beam: 3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Draught: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
Propulsion:
  • 1 × diesel engine, 190 hp (142 kW)
  • 1 × electric motor, 180 hp (134 kW)
Speed:
  • 9 knots (17 km/h) (surfaced)
  • 7 knots (13 km/h) (submerged)
Range:
  • 500 nautical miles (930 km) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h)
  • 45 nautical miles (83 km) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h) (submerged)
Test depth: 30 m (98 ft)
Complement: 16 men
Armament: 2 × 450 mm (17.7 in) bow torpedo tubes

Design

The submarine had a surfaced displacement of 202 long tons (205 tonnes) and a submerged displacement of 222 long tons (226 t). Her dimensions were 41 metres (134 feet 6 inches) long, with a beam of 3 m (9 ft 10 in) and a draught of 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in). Z had a single shaft powered by one diesel engine for surface running of 190 horsepower (142 kilowatts) and an electric motor which produced 180 hp (134 kW) for submerged propulsion. She was the first French submarine ordered to have a diesel engine for surface running. Her maximum speed was 9 knots (17 kilometres per hour; 10 miles per hour) on the surface and 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) while submerged with a surfaced range of 500 nautical miles (930 kilometres; 580 miles) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h) and a submerged range of 45 nautical miles (83 km) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h). Her complement was 16 men. [1][2]

Her armament comprised two 450 mm (17.7 in) bow torpedo tubes.[1][2]

Construction and career

Z was a single hull design by Gabriel Maugas as an improved Farfadet-class submarine. The French admiralty has not yet chosen the type to be built, and both Z and Aigrette appeared on 18 July 1904 at Cherbourg for comparison tests before a special commission. Aigrette was chosen and Z was not adopted for a class order.[3]

Z was ordered on 10 June 1901 and laid down in the Arsenal de Rochefort on 1 April 1902. It was launched on 28 March 1904 and commissioned on 3 June 1904.[4] It was the first submarine to be ordered and commissioned with a diesel engine for surface running, although Aigrette was the first to be launched.[1] Z received the pennant number Q 36 at its commissioning and cost 779,300 Francs.[1]

Z operated in the Mediterranean Sea until 9 March 1910, when she was struck from the Navy list.[1][2]

See also

References
  1. Gardiner & Gray, p. 207
  2. Fontenoy, p. 79
  3. "French Submersibles of WW1". www.naval-encyclopedia.com.
  4. "Q 036". 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013.

Citations
  • Robert Gardiner; Randal Gray (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906-1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 978-0-85177-245-5.
  • Paul E. Fontenoy (2007). Submarines: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85109-563-6.
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