HMS H32


HMS H32 was a H-class submarine constructed for the Royal Navy. The submarine entered service in 1919 and served in the Second World War, one of only seven of the class to do so. The submarine was sold for scrap in 1944.

Design

Like all post-H20 H-class submarines, H32 had a displacement of at the surface and while submerged. The submarine had a length overall of, a beam of, and a draught of. The submarine was driven by a two-shaft diesel engine providing a total power of and two electric motors each providing power. The use of its electric motors made the submarine travel at. The submarine would normally carry of fuel and had a maximum capacity of.
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a submerged speed of. Post-H20 H-class submarines had ranges of at speeds of when surfaced. H32 was fitted with an anti-aircraft gun and four torpedo tubes. Its torpedo tubes were fitted to the bows and the submarine was loaded with eight 21-inch torpedoes. The design is based on the Holland 602 type submarine but altered to meet Royal Navy specifications. The submarine had a complement of twenty-two crew members.

Construction and career

H32 was built by Vickers Limited, Barrow-in-Furness. She was laid down on 20 April 1917 and was launched on 19 November 1918. The boat was commissioned on 14 May 1919.
Upon commissioning, HMS H32 was assigned to be a tender to the submarine depot ship. The submarine was also the first Royal Navy boat to be fitted with the ASDIC underwater sensor system. At the onset of the Second World War, H32 was a member of the 6th Submarine Flotilla. From 26–29 August 1939, the flotilla deployed to its war bases at Dundee and Blyth. Beginning on 22 March 1941, the Royal Navy and Allies began deploying submarines off Brest, France to prevent the German battleships and from leaving port. H32 was among the submarines assigned to the patrol.
HMS H32 was sold for scrap at Troon on 18 October 1944.