Name HMS Opportune Laid down 26 October 1962 Decommissioned 2 June 1993 Construction started 26 October 1962 Draft 5.5 m | Yard number 693 Commissioned 29 December 1964 Fate Paid off Launched 14 February 1964 Beam 8.08 m | |
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Builder Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company | ||
HMS Opportune (S20) was an Oberon-class submarine of the Royal Navy.
Contents
Design and construction
The Oberon class was a direct follow on of the Porpoise-class, with the same dimensions and external design, but updates to equipment and internal fittings, and a higher grade of steel used for fabrication of the pressure hull.
As designed for British service, the Oberon-class submarines were 241 feet (73 m) in length between perpendiculars and 295.2 feet (90.0 m) in length overall, with a beam of 26.5 feet (8.1 m), and a draught of 18 feet (5.5 m). Displacement was 1,610 tons standard, 2,030 tons full load when surfaced, and 2,410 tons full load when submerged. Propulsion machinery consisted of 2 Admiralty Standard Range 16 VMS diesel generators, and two 3,000 shaft horsepower (2,200 kW) electric motors, each driving a 7 feet (2.1 m) 3-bladed propeller at up to 400 rpm. Top speed was 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) when submerged, and 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) on the surface. Eight 21-inch (530 mm) diameter torpedo tubes were fitted (six facing forward, two aft), with a total payload of 24 torpedoes. The boats were fitted with Type 186 and Type 187 sonars, and an I-band surface search radar. The standard complement was 68: 6 officers, 62 sailors.
Opportune was laid down by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company on 26 October 1962, and launched on 14 February 1964. The boat was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 29 December 1964.
Operational history
Opportune attended the 1977 Silver Jubilee Fleet Review off Spithead when she was part of the Submarine Flotilla.
Decommissioning and fate
Opportune was paid off on 2 June 1993. For several years the vessel resided at Pounds scrapyard in Portsmouth.