HMS Sentinel was an S-class submarine of the third batch built for the Royal Navy during World War II. Although constructed during the war, she was not completed until after the conflict had ended, entering service in the post-war period. She was constructed by Scotts of Greenock and launched on 27 July 1945. The third batch of S-class submarines, including Sentinel, featured significant modifications from earlier versions, including a stronger hull, increased fuel capacity, and revised armament. She measured 217 feet (66.1 meters) in overall length, with a beam of 23 feet 9 inches (7.2 meters) and a draft of 14 feet 1 inch (4.3 meters). Displacing 814 long tons (827 tons) on the surface and 990 long tons (1,010 tons) submerged, Sentinel was crewed by 48 officers and ratings. Her design enabled a maximum diving depth of 350 feet (106.7 meters). Powered for surface operations by two 950-brake-horsepower (708 kW) diesel engines—each driving a propeller shaft—Sentinel could reach speeds of 14.75 knots (27.3 km/h) on the surface. When submerged, she relied on electric motors producing 650 horsepower (485 kW) per shaft, allowing her to attain speeds of 9 knots (17 km/h). Her operational range was impressive for her class, allowing approximately 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km) at 10 knots on the surface and 120 nautical miles (220 km) at 3 knots submerged. Armament comprised six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes located at the bow, carrying six reload torpedoes for a total of twelve, or alternatively, twelve mines could be carried instead of torpedoes. She was also equipped with a 4-inch (102 mm) deck gun for surface combat. After her commissioning, Sentinel had a peaceful career, notably participating in the 1953 Fleet Review celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation. She was decommissioned and sold for scrap on 28 February 1962, being broken up at Gillingham. Her service reflects the transition of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet from wartime to peacetime operations.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.