British Submarine HMS X1

HMS X1 was designed as a commerce raider for the British Royal Navy. The concept was to engage a convoys escorts with her gun armament, which would then enable her and other submarines to sink the merchant vessels.

X1’s gun armament consisted of four 5.2 inch guns in twin turrets, one fore and the other aft. In addition she carried six 21-inch torpedo tubes, each armed with one reload.

Launched on 16 June 1923, she was commissioned in December 1925. In operation, she suffered continual engine problems, resulting in the majority of her time undergoing repairs. It was found that conditions were cramped because of the large crew needed to operate the guns (58 men) and associated auxiliary equipment.

HMS X1 was laid up in 1930 and scrapped in 1936.