Explorer class submarine
Encyclopedia
The two Explorer class submarines were experimental vessels built for the Royal Navy
to test a propulsion system based on the use of highly concentrated Hydrogen peroxide
(HTP) and diesel fuel to achieve high underwater endurance and speeds.
Germany had started experimenting with this technology early in the Second World War and developed it into the Walter
cycle. They had built some experimental boats. One of these, the U-Boat 1407, which had been scuttled at the end of the war was salvaged and eventually recommissioned into the Royal Navy
as .
This eventually led to the construction of the two Explorer class experimental vessels, which used steam turbines, the steam being generated using heat from the interaction of high-test hydrogen peroxide (HTP), a catalyst and diesel oil. They used the Porpoise class
hull, modified with retractable superstructure fittings to help streamlining. Being purely experimental craft they had no torpedo tubes or radar fitted, only one periscope and were equipped with backup diesel engines to recharge the batteries and propel them on the surface.
The first, Excalibur, was commissioned in March 1958. They were very fast boats, with a top underwater speed of around 26.5 knots for period up to 3 hours and 12 knots for 15 hours on one turbine. Because of the use of hydrogen peroxide as a hair bleach, the submarines were nicknamed the Blonde-class. As well as providing experience with this type of technology, they also allowed the Royal Navy to practice against fast moving underwater targets. However the use of HTP was not successful, and there were several explosions, which resulted in the second nickname of Exploder being applied to the class and Explorer in particular, while Excalibur had the nickname "Excruciater'. The subsequent use of HTP to power torpedoes led to the loss of and the loss of the Russian submarine Kursk.
When the United States developed a nuclear reactor
which could be installed in a submarine, the HTP project was abandoned. It was decided that it was not worth converting the class into normal diesel submarines. As a result Explorer was sold for £13,500 to T.W. Ward for breaking up. and Excalibur in turn was also subsequently sold to T.W. Ward.
Other countries have since developed the concept of the non-nuclear air-independent propulsion
submarine to the point where it is a safe technology albeit as an auxiliary power source to a conventional diesel-electric drive, although hydrogen peroxide has long been abandoned and liquid oxygen is generally now preferred.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
to test a propulsion system based on the use of highly concentrated Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
(HTP) and diesel fuel to achieve high underwater endurance and speeds.
Germany had started experimenting with this technology early in the Second World War and developed it into the Walter
Hellmuth Walter
Hellmuth Walter was a German engineer who pioneered research into rocket engines and gas turbines...
cycle. They had built some experimental boats. One of these, the U-Boat 1407, which had been scuttled at the end of the war was salvaged and eventually recommissioned into the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
as .
This eventually led to the construction of the two Explorer class experimental vessels, which used steam turbines, the steam being generated using heat from the interaction of high-test hydrogen peroxide (HTP), a catalyst and diesel oil. They used the Porpoise class
British Porpoise class submarine
The Porpoise class was an eight-boat class of diesel-electric submarines operated by the Royal Navy. This class was originally designated patrol submarines, then attack. They were the first conventional British submarines to be built after the end of World War II...
hull, modified with retractable superstructure fittings to help streamlining. Being purely experimental craft they had no torpedo tubes or radar fitted, only one periscope and were equipped with backup diesel engines to recharge the batteries and propel them on the surface.
The first, Excalibur, was commissioned in March 1958. They were very fast boats, with a top underwater speed of around 26.5 knots for period up to 3 hours and 12 knots for 15 hours on one turbine. Because of the use of hydrogen peroxide as a hair bleach, the submarines were nicknamed the Blonde-class. As well as providing experience with this type of technology, they also allowed the Royal Navy to practice against fast moving underwater targets. However the use of HTP was not successful, and there were several explosions, which resulted in the second nickname of Exploder being applied to the class and Explorer in particular, while Excalibur had the nickname "Excruciater'. The subsequent use of HTP to power torpedoes led to the loss of and the loss of the Russian submarine Kursk.
When the United States developed a nuclear reactor
Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Most commonly they are used for generating electricity and for the propulsion of ships. Usually heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid , which runs through turbines that power either ship's...
which could be installed in a submarine, the HTP project was abandoned. It was decided that it was not worth converting the class into normal diesel submarines. As a result Explorer was sold for £13,500 to T.W. Ward for breaking up. and Excalibur in turn was also subsequently sold to T.W. Ward.
Other countries have since developed the concept of the non-nuclear air-independent propulsion
Air-independent propulsion
Air-independent propulsion is a term that encompasses technologies which allow a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen. The term usually excludes the use of nuclear power, and describes augmenting or replacing the diesel-electric propulsion...
submarine to the point where it is a safe technology albeit as an auxiliary power source to a conventional diesel-electric drive, although hydrogen peroxide has long been abandoned and liquid oxygen is generally now preferred.