French Narval-class submarine

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.

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

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

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.