HMS L24 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS L24 |
| Builder | Vickers Limited, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Launched | 19 February 1919 |
| Fate | Sunk after collision, 10 January 1924 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | L-class submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length | 238 ft 7 in (72.7 m) |
| Beam | 23 ft 6 in (7.2 m) |
| Draught | 13 ft 3 in (4.0 m) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | 3,800 nmi (7,000 km; 4,400 mi) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) on the surface |
| Test depth | 150 feet (45.7 m) |
| Complement | 38 |
| Armament |
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HMS L24 was a special type of submarine called an L-class submarine. It was built for the Royal Navy during World War I. Even though it was built during the war, it wasn't finished until after the fighting stopped. Sadly, the submarine was lost in an accident in 1924.
Contents
About the L-Class Submarines
The L-class submarines, like L24, were designed to be bigger and better than earlier submarines. They could carry larger torpedoes and more fuel for longer journeys.
Size and Crew
L24 was about 238 feet 7 inches (72.7 m) long. That's longer than two basketball courts! It was also 23 feet 6 inches (7.2 m) wide. When it was on the surface, it weighed about 914 long tons (929 t). When it was underwater, it weighed even more, around 1,089 long tons (1,106 t). A crew of 38 sailors worked and lived inside the submarine. It could dive to a depth of 150 feet (45.7 m), which is like going down 15 stories.
How it Moved
When L24 was on the surface, it used two powerful diesel engines. These engines helped it move through the water at speeds up to 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph). That's about 20 miles per hour! When it went underwater, it switched to two electric motors. These motors allowed it to travel at about 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph), or 12 miles per hour. The submarine could travel a long way on the surface, about 3,800 nautical miles (7,000 km; 4,400 mi) (over 4,000 miles) without needing to refuel.
Weapons on Board
L24 was armed with several weapons. It had four large torpedo tubes at the front, which fired 21 in (533 mm) torpedoes. It also had two smaller 18 in (457 mm) torpedo tubes on its sides. The submarine carried extra torpedoes, so it had a total of ten. On its deck, it had a 4-inch (102 mm) deck gun. This gun could be used to fire at ships on the surface.
Building and Service
HMS L24 was built by a company called Vickers at their Barrow-in-Furness shipyard. It was officially launched into the water on February 19, 1919.
The Final Voyage
On January 10, 1924, L24 was taking part in a training exercise. It was off the coast of Portland Bill in the English Channel. During this exercise, the submarine accidentally collided with a much larger ship, the battleship Resolution. Sadly, L24 sank, and all the sailors on board were lost. There is a special memorial for the crew of L24 at St Ann's Church in HMNB Portsmouth.
The Wreck Today
The wreck of L24 lies on the seabed at a depth of 52 meters (about 170 feet). It is located at 50°22.50′N 02°37.79′W / 50.37500°N 2.62983°W. When divers have explored the wreck, they found that the submarine's steering fins, called hydroplanes, were set to a "hard dive" position. This suggests that the crew was trying very hard to avoid the collision. There is clear damage where the battleship Resolution cut into the submarine's hull. The wreck of L24 is now a "protected place" under a special law called the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. This means it is protected and cannot be disturbed, honoring those who were lost.
