HMS Opossum (S19)
HMS Opossum (s19)
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| History | |
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 United Kingdom
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| Name: | HMS Opossum |
| Builder: | Cammell Laird, Birkenhead |
| Laid down: | 21 December 1961 |
| Launched: | 23 May 1963 |
| Commissioned: | 5 June 1964 |
| Decommissioned: | August 1993 |
| Fate: | Paid off for disposal |
| General characteristics as designed | |
| Class and type: | Oberon class |
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| Length: |
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| Beam: | 26.5 feet (8.1 m) |
| Draught: | 18 feet (5.5 m) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: |
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| Complement: | 68 (6 officers, 62 enlisted) |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Armament: |
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HMS Opossum (S19) was an Oberon-class submarine in service with the Royal Navy from 1964 to 1993.
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.
Opossum was laid down by Cammel Laird on 21 December 1961, and launched on 23 May 1963. The boat was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 5 June 1964.
In 1990, Opossum took part in the celebrations at Pitcairn Island, marking the occasion with a two-day visit in September.
Opossum was deployed to the Persian Gulf during the 1991 Gulf War under Operation Granby. On her return to Gosport, she was flying a Jolly Roger; the only indication that the submarine had been involved in deploying and recovering Special Air Service and Special Boat Service personnel.
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