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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | |
| Operators | |
| Preceded by | D class |
| Succeeded by | L class |
| Completed | 58 |
| Preserved | 0 (The conning towers of HMSE17,E50 andE24 are preserved at three separate locations.) |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam | All groups: 15.05 ft (4.59 m) |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Complement | All groups: 30 |
| Armament |
|



TheBritish E-class submarines started out as improved versions of theBritish D-class submarine. The E class served with theRoyal Navy throughoutWorld War I as the backbone of the submarine fleet. The last surviving E class submarines were withdrawn from service by 1922.
All of the first group and some of the second group of the class were completed before the outbreak ofWorld War I. The group 1 boats cost £101,900 per hull. As submarine technology improved, the E class went through several design modifications. The group 2 boats cost £105,700 per hull. The group 3 boats, the last group, incorporated all improvements.
The class primarily served in theNorth Sea and theBaltic, while some served with Russian ships in Russian coastal waters before their crews scuttled the submarines to avoid them falling into the hands of the Germans after theTreaty of Brest-Litovsk ended fighting between Germany and Russia. Additionally, some of the submarines operated against the Turks.
TheBritish L-class submarine eventually replaced the E class.