The British V-class submarine (officially "U-Class Long hull 1941–42 programme") was a class of submarines built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

History

Forty-two vessels were ordered to this design, all to be built by Vickers-Armstrong at either Barrow-in-Furness or at Walker-on-Tyne, but only 22 were completed. Note that seven of these vessels received 'U' names (conversely, four of the U class had received names beginning with 'V'). The V-class submarines were very similar to the preceding U-class (short-hull) boats, of which they constituted a linear development, but had 3/4 in pressure hull plating instead of 1/2 in for deeper diving, also a lengthened stern and fining at the bow to reduce noise and improve underwater handling. They were sometimes referred to as Vampire-class submarines after HMS Vampire (P72). It was one of this class, HMS Venturer (P68), that is the only submarine to sink another submarine while submerged - that submarine was the German GS U-864.

Ships

The vessels which were ordered are shown below in their programme order (not all completed construction): The first eight vessels were ordered on 5 December 1941 under that year's programme. The next eighteen vessels were ordered on 21 May 1942 under that year's programme, but six of these were cancelled in early 1944. A further six vessels were ordered on 17 November 1942 under the same year's programme, but four of these were cancelled on 23 January 1944. Finally, a further ten vessels were ordered under the 1943 Programme, but all of these were cancelled on 20 November 1943; eight of these were never given names.