NRP Espadarte

NRP Espadarte was the first modern submarine of the Portuguese Navy. Preceded by PORTUGUESE SUBMARINE Plongeur which was discarded in 1910, Espadarte was constructed at La Spezia Naval Base, Italy beginning in 1910 and was launched in 1912. The submarine was the basis for the establishment of the 1st Submarine Squadron of the Portuguese Navy. Espadarte was discarded in 1931.

Design and description
Espadarte was 148 ft long with a beam of 13 ft and a mean draught of 9 ft and a maximum of draught of 10 ft. The boat had a standard displacement of 245 LT and 300 LT submerged. The submarine was powered by two Fiat-Diesel 6-cylinder motors driving two shafts, rated at 550 bhp for travel on the surface and two electric motors rated at 300 shp when submerged. The submarine had a maximum speed of 13.8 kn and a maximum range of.

The submarine was armed with two torpedo tubes located in the bow for 457 mm torpedoes. Four torpedoes were carried. Espadarte had a ship's company of 21 officers and ratings.

Construction and career
The submarine was built at La Spezia Naval Base, Italy from 1910 to 1913. Espadarte was launched on 5 October 1912 and commissioned during the reign of Manuel II. The submersible first entered Lisbon on 5 August 1913. NRP Espadarte gave rise to the 1st squadron of submarines of the Portuguese Navy, which served during World War I. Espadarte was discarded in 1931.