HMS Safari

HMS Safari was a third-batch S-class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on 18 April 1942. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Safari.

Design and description

The S-class submarines were designed to patrol the restricted waters of the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The third batch was slightly enlarged and improved over the preceding second batch of the S-class. The submarines had a length of 217 feet (66.1 m) overall, a beam of 23 feet 6 inches (7.2 m) and a draught of 14 feet 8 inches (4.5 m). They displaced 842 tons on the surface and 990 tons submerged. The S-class submarines had a crew of 48 officers and ratings. They had a diving depth of 300 feet (91 m).

Service history

During her service in World War II, HMS Safari sank twenty-three ships, making her one of the most successful British submarines of the war. She was commanded by Lieutenant R.B. Lakin, DSO, DSC, RN, Lieutenant M.R.G. Wingfield, DSC, RN, Lieutenant R.H. Bull, DSC, RN, and Lieutenant J.R. Drummond, RN.

Post-war service

After the war, HMS Safari was sold for scrap on 7 February 1946 and broken up at Troon.

See also

• List of submarine classes of the Royal Navy
• List of submarines of the Second World War

References

• Akermann, Paul (2002). Encyclopedia of British Submarines 1901–1955. Periscope Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-904381-05-7.
• Bagnasco, Erminio (1977). Submarines of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-962-6.