The Sirène class consisted of four submarines built for the French Navy during the first decade of the 20th century. They played a minor role in the First World War.

Design and description Improved versions of the designed by Maxime Laubeuf, the Sirènes were double hulled, with the outer hull only covering the sides of the inner hull to make them easier to build and maintain over their predecessor. They were also required to have the ability to conduct a 36-hour raid in the English Channel. The boats displaced on the surface and submerged. They had an overall length of , a beam of , and a draft of . Their crew numbered 2 officers and 12 enlisted men.Roberts, pp. 420–421

On the surface, the Sirènes were powered by a vertical triple-expansion steam engine that used steam from a du Temple boiler to drive the single propeller shaft. A single electric motors powered the boats underwater. The submarines were designed to reach a maximum speed of on the surface and underwater. During her sea trials attained from on the surface and from while submerged. The boats were provided with of fuel oil that gave them a surfaced range of at ; their batteries gave the submarines a range of at under water.Roberts, p. 421

The Sirène class was armed with two external Tissier torpedo launchers and two external 450 mm Drzewiecki drop collar. The Tissier torpedo launchers were replaced by fixed torpedo launchers in 1906.

Ships Ship Laid down Launched Commissioned (Q5) 28 August 1900 4 May 1901 14 December 1901 (Q6) 13 July 19011 June 1902 (Q13)1900 7 September 190121 July 1902 (Q14) 29 October 19011 June 1902

See also List of submarines of France

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Bibliography

External links French Submarines: 1863 - Now Sous-marins Français 1863 -