Submarine histories. Royal Navy L class submarines. Submarine website dedicated to the history of L23, L26, L27 and other L Class submarines from their launch to their participation in major wars also notice board for families of ex-crew of L Class submarines.

L Class Submarines.

Displacement: 891 tons on the surface, 1074 tons submerged.  Speed: on the surface 10 knots, Range 3,800 miles. Compliment: 35   Armament: Six  18-inch Torpedo Tubes, 4 of which were in the bow and 2 Beam.  carried 10 Torpedo's.  One 4 -inch Gun

L9 to L49.  Armament varied slightly. Four 21 - inch Torpedo Tubes all in the bow. and carried 8 torpedo's and Two 18-inch Tubes in the beam and carried two torpedo's/ Submarines used for mine laying. had 4Four 21-inch Torpedo Tubes all in the bow and carried 14 to 16 mines. compliment increased to 38.

L50 onwards.  changed with the following: Displacement: 960 tons surfaced. 1150 tons submerged. Range 4,800 miles, surface speed 8 knots.  CREW: 44   Armament:  Six   21-inch Torpedo Tubes in Bow carrying 12 torpedoes,  and two 4-inch QF guns each end of conning tower

L1 passing HMS Hawkins, 1919.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2318

Submarine L1, pictured c.1920. 

L2, 1923.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2319

L2, 1923.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2320

Submarine L2, pictured c.1920. 

L3, 1923.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2321

L3, 1923.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2322

Submarine L3, pictured c.1923.

L 4, 1923.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2323

L5, 1923.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2324

Submarine L5, pictured c.1920. 

Aerial view of submarine L5, c.1920. 

Submarine L6, pictured c.1920. 

Submarine L6, c.1920.

Submarine L6.

A photo of the crew of L-7 taken on China Station 1927-1929 on which my great uncle served. He subsequently lost his life with submarine H-47 sank off the Welsh Coast. Sent in by Sarah Chapman.

Submarine L7, pictured c.1920 

Submarine L8, pictured c.1920. 

L11 pictured c.1920 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHS127

Royal Navy submarine L12.

L12 pictured c.1929 after sinking H49. 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHS129

L12.

Royal Navy submarine L14.

Submarine L14.

L 15, 1923.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2325

L 15

L 16.

L17 alongside L56, 1921.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2326

L17, 1921.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2327

L17

Submarine L18, pictured c.1920 

L18.

L19, 1923.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2328

L19.

HM Submarine L19 pictured c.1930.

L20, 1930s.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2329

Submarine L20, pictured c.1920s 

L21.

L21

L21.

L22

ORIGINAL POSTCARD FOR SALE.  DONATED TOWARDS THE UPKEEP OF THIS SITE.

L22

L23, November 1938.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2330

L23.

L23 in the Solent c.1929. 

L23

L 24.

Submarine L25, pictured c.1920 

L26, November 1937.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2331

Submarine L26, pictured c.1920 

L27, 1937.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2332

L 27.

L 27.

Submarine L27, pictured c.1930s 

Royal Navy Submarine L. 52 pictured in 1925

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHS143

Submarine L52.

ORIGINAL POSTCARD FOR SALE.  DONATED TOWARDS THE UPKEEP OF THIS SITE.

L52

L53 c.1925 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHS144

L53 with a depot ship.

L54, 1937.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2333

Submarine L54.

Submarine L54, pictured August 8th 1931. 

L54.

Royal Navy L Class submarine L56 while at Malta.

Submarine L56.

L56, 1935.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2334

L56.

L56.

L69, July 1935.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2335

Submarine L69.

L 69.

L71 laid up with L56, 1938.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2337

L71, 1929.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP2336

Submarine L71.

Submarine L71, pictured c.1920. 

L71.

L25 with L11 pictured c.1923. 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHS151

  L22 and L52 pictured with submarine depot ship HMS Lucia 1925  

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  

L class Submarines L23 and L26 with H49 in the background.

Submarine supply ship HMS Titania on the China Station. 

Naval Historians, Crew & Family Noticeboard

L Class submarines, Message Board for naval enthusiasts, crew & descendents of L Class Submarines. This website is not part of any governmental body or official websites of L Class Submarines.

MESSAGES

L19

AB JAMES M BASHFORD..   My late father joined submarines, from HMS London, in the mid 20's. He participated in early 'Davis' escape tests and simulated oxygen deprivation tests. He travelled to China and joined L19 as a leading torpedo man. As an oarsman, runner, water polo player and boxer, he enjoyed a hectic social life.  I have his dairy for Jan 1929 to Jan 1930 when they returned home. The diary is complete, 366 days, It has been copied by the Submarine museum , Haslar together with copios photographs. I also have a large album (4" thick) of photos and chinese postcards etc which he collected. I also, naturally have many stories which he imparted . He was a member of the ex-submariners club in Bristol and died in 1995 aged 89.     

... My name is David Thomas and I live in Seoul, Korea. I have been researching my family roots in the UK and I have just discovered that a direct descendent of my great great grandfather's brother (Alexander McVicker) a Mr Evelyn Roberts Churchill MacVicker commanded the L19 and served on the Titania. If you have any information about E R MacVicker and his sons John and Peter, 

L53