The Submarine Heritage Centre - HMS/M Sovereign

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This painting was commissioned by Captain Richard. E. Crawford Royal Navy. Captain Crawford (at the time Lieutenant Crawford Royal Navy) stood by HMS/M Sovereign during build in the shipyard here in Barrow and served onboard for the first commission.

Sovereign Technical Facts:

- Pennant Number: S.108
- Yard No: 1086
- Dimensions (in feet): Length: 272 feet, Beam: 32 feet 4 inches, Draught 27 feet.
- Displacement: Surface: 4,400 tons, Submerged: 4,900 tons.
- Propulsion: Single Pressurised Water Cooled Nuclear Reactor. Two General Electric Steam Turbines geared to a single shaft Equalling 15,000shp.
- Speed: 30 knots.
- Endurance: Unlimited.
- Armaments: Five 21 inch Torpedo tubes Forward, 20 reload torpedoes. Sub-harpoon missiles.
- Complement: Total 97 Officers and Ratings.
- Others in Class: Swiftsure, Superb, Sceptre, Spartan and Splendid.

Historical Facts:

HMS/M Sovereign was the second of six Swiftsure class nuclear propelled submarines, all of which were built in the Barrow shipyard. Classified as Fleet Submarines, or more commonly known as Hunter Killers. Their role to protect the Royal Navy's squadron of nuclear armed (Polaris) submarines, to undertake surveillance and monitoring of manoeuvres of hostile nations, but specifically tracking the submarines and shipping of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and to participate in both anti-submarine warfare and attacks on ships and terrain should the need arise.

On the 20th of October 1976, HMS/M Sovereign surfaced at the geographical North Pole, as part of operation Brisk.

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