VIII. (b) Leichters (Lighters)

[Sachmle]

SMS L-1
SMS L-2
SMS L-3
SMS L-4

[Sachmle]

L-1 class

A lighter for transport of troops and cargo by sea or, if the area is relatively secure, for amphibious attacks.  Although it does have limited ocean-going capability, in practical terms this is for coastal use only.  The payload area is an unfurnished area forwards, and any embarked troops would essentially be "camping" in it until deposited ashore again.

The type has two small, raised gangways on either side of the bow, as seen in Gran Colombia's Condor class riverboats.  Indeed, DKB had acquired the licence for that design a few years back and was wondering what to do about it.

These boats will also be built to civiilan standards.

SMS L-1, laid down 1912
SMS L-2, laid down 1912
SMS L-3, laid down 1912
SMS L-4, laid down 1912

Lighter, laid down 1912

Displacement:
   615 t light; 629 t standard; 680 t normal; 721 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   229.66 ft / 229.66 ft x 32.81 ft x 5.64 ft (normal load)
   70.00 m / 70.00 m x 10.00 m  x 1.72 m

Armament:
      1 - 1.97" / 50.0 mm guns in single mounts, 3.81lbs / 1.73kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading gun in deck mount
     on centreline forward, 1 raised gun
      1 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns in single mounts, 1.55lbs / 0.70kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading gun in deck mount
     on centreline aft
      2 - 0.31" / 8.0 mm guns in single mounts, 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 5 lbs / 2 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 250

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   0.98" / 25 mm         -               -
   2nd:   0.98" / 25 mm         -               -
   3rd:   0.39" / 10 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 1 shaft, 1,600 ihp / 1,193 Kw = 15.88 kts
   Range 2,000nm at 10.00 kts (Bunkerage = 92 tons)

Complement:
   66 - 86

Cost:
   £0.037 million / $0.148 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1 tons, 0.1 %
   Armour: 2 tons, 0.2 %
      - Belts: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 2 tons, 0.2 %
      - Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
   Machinery: 106 tons, 15.6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 276 tons, 40.5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 65 tons, 9.6 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 231 tons, 34.0 %
   -200 t:  Troops and/or/cargo
   -20 t:  Gangways
   -5 t:  Short-range wireless
   -6 t:  Weight reserve

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     1,402 lbs / 636 Kg = 367.7 x 2.0 " / 50 mm shells or 0.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.26
   Metacentric height 1.4 ft / 0.4 m
   Roll period: 11.5 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.01
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.76

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has raised forecastle
   Block coefficient: 0.560
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 15.15 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 45 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 34
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      14.44 ft / 4.40 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   14.44 ft / 4.40 m (10.50 ft / 3.20 m aft of break)
      - Mid (50 %):      10.50 ft / 3.20 m
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   10.50 ft / 3.20 m
      - Stern:      10.50 ft / 3.20 m
      - Average freeboard:   11.29 ft / 3.44 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88.8 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 156.3 %
   Waterplane Area: 5,157 Square feet or 479 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 151 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 36 lbs/sq ft or 178 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.92
      - Longitudinal: 1.95
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather