The Submarine Heritage Centre - Valiant Class

Sponsorship Comments

This painting was sponsored by Mr. Tom Homewood.

Valiant Technical Facts:

- Pennant No : SSN 02
- Yard Number : 1066
- Dimensions (in feet): Length: 285, Beam: 33.25, Draught: 27
- Displacement: Surfaced 3,500 tons, Submerged 4,500 tons.
- Propulsion: 1 x Rolls Royce Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR-1) supplying Steam to geared turbines delivering 1,500 bhp 1 x motor for emergency drive. 1 x auxiliary retractable propeller.
- Endurance: Unknown
- Armaments: 6 x 21 inch torpedo tubes in the bow (for Mk 24 Tigerfish dual-role wire guided torpedoes) alternatively up to 64 mark 5 Stonefish Or mark 6 Sea Urchin mines.
- Complement: 103 Officers and ratings.

Historical Facts:

Valiant and her sister submarine Warspite truly moved the Royal Navy into a new era where the submarine became the capital ship of the fleet. The nuclear propulsion capability meant that these submarines could remain at sea for extended periods of time. The only limitation on these unique vessels being the twin requirements of the amount of food they could carry and the psychological effects on the ships company of long periods at sea.

These "Fleet Submarines" became the striking power of the fleet in which they served and at the same time they became the single most effective anti-submarine weapon of the day. As early as April 1967, Valiant set a new submerged record for a British submarine when she completed the 12,000 mile dived passage home from Singapore in 28 days. The Valiant class were the first all-British nuclear submarine.

After 30 years service Valiant was laid up at Devonport dockyard awaiting disposal.

Back to Valiant page...
Back to Home page...