# HMS Spark

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**HMS *Spark*** (pennant number P236) was a [S-class submarine](/source/British_S-class_submarine_(1931)) of the third batch built for the [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) during World War II. She survived the war and was scrapped in 1950.

## Design and description

The third batch was slightly enlarged and improved over the preceding second batch of the S-class. The submarines had a length of 217 feet (66.1 m) [overall](/source/Length_overall), a [beam](/source/Beam_(nautical)) of 23 feet 9 inches (7.2 m) and a [draft](/source/Draft_(ship)) of 14 feet 8 inches (4.5 m). They [displaced](/source/Displacement_(ship)) 842 long tons (856 t) on the surface and 990 long tons (1,010 t) submerged.[1] The S-class submarines had a crew of 48 officers and [ratings](/source/Naval_rating). They had a diving depth of 300 feet (91.4 m).[2]

For surface running, the boats were powered by two 950-horsepower (708-kilowatt) [diesel engines](/source/Diesel_engine), each driving one [propeller shaft](/source/Propeller_shaft). When submerged each propeller was driven by a 650-horsepower (485-kilowatt) [electric motor](/source/Electric_motor). They could reach 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) on the surface and 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) underwater.[3] On the surface, the third batch boats had a range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) and 120 nmi (220 km; 140 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged.[2]

The boats were armed with seven [21 inch (533 mm)](/source/British_21_inch_torpedo) [torpedo tubes](/source/Torpedo_tube). A half-dozen of these were in the bow and there was one external tube in the stern. They carried six reload torpedoes for the bow tubes for a grand total of thirteen torpedoes. Twelve [mines](/source/Naval_mine) could be carried in lieu of the internally stowed torpedoes. They were also armed with a [3-inch (76 mm)](/source/QF_3-inch_20_cwt) [deck gun](/source/Deck_gun).[4]

## Construction and career

HMS *Spark* was built by [Scotts](/source/Scotts_Shipbuilding_and_Engineering_Company), of [Greenock](/source/Greenock) and launched on 28 December 1943. Thus far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name *Spark*. She survived the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War), spending between December 1944 and July 1945 with the [Eastern Fleet](/source/Eastern_Fleet), arriving at Trincomalee on 21 October 1944. She went on to sink two Japanese sailing vessels, three Japanese coasters, a barge and a tug. Another coaster was forced ashore on Panjang Island. *Spark* was attacked by an enemy escort which dropped sixteen depth charges, but managed to escape damage. She returned to the UK in October 1945.[5] She was sold on 28 October 1949. *Spark* was broken up at Faslane in October 1950.

*Spark* acted as tow for the midget submarine [*XE-1*](/source/XE-class_submarine), which was assigned to attack the Japanese [heavy cruiser](/source/Heavy_cruiser) [Japanese cruiser *Myōkō*](/source/Japanese_cruiser_My%C5%8Dk%C5%8D) in [Singapore](/source/Singapore) Harbour as part of [Operation Struggle](/source/XE-class_submarine#Operation_Struggle).[5]

## Notes

1. Chesneau, p. 51

1. McCartney, p. 7

1. Bagnasco, p. 110

1. Chesneau, pp. 51–52

1. [HMS Spark](http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3453.html), Uboat.net

## References

- Akermann, Paul (2002). *Encyclopaedia of British Submarines 1901–1955*. reprint of the 1989 ed. Penzance, Cornwall: Periscope Publishing. ISBN 1-904381-05-7.
- Bagnasco, Erminio (1977). *Submarines of World War Two*. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-962-6.
- *Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946*. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. 1980. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
- McCartney, Innes (2006). *British Submarines 1939–1945*. Vol. 129. New Vanguard. Oxford, UK: Osprey. ISBN 1-84603-007-2.

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