Title:Submarine Branch centenary
Date of Issue: 12 June 2009
Country: Norway
Denominations: NOK 14.50 – NOK 15.50

It is a hundred years this year since the launching of Norway’s first submarine at Germaniawerft in Kiel.his submarine, which was christened “Kobben” and later renamed A-1,surpassed all expectations and in 1911 a decision was made to build another three submarines at the same shipyard. A fifth was also started, but it was confiscated by the German navy when the first world war broke out.The history of Norwegian submarines really began in 1808, when a
village genius and blacksmith, Mikkel Hallsteinson Lofthus from
Hardanger, designed the first known Norwegian underwater boat. He
submitted drawings to a society in Bergen that promoted useful
products, but the boat was never built. There was too little interest
and not enough money. However this was put right 101 years later.

“Kobben” was commissioned on 28 November 1909 after its launching
and completion of diving tests in the Great Belt. It arrived in
Horten two weeks later and after a few days it went into full service
with a crew of 12 men. “Kobben” remained in service until 1919. It
was broken up some years later, but its conning tower was preserved
and is mounted as a memorial at the Navy officers’ training school
in Horten.

After the first world war, the Storting granted funds for new
submarines, this time choosing the American Holland class which had
the same diving depth as the A class but carried a larger crew (23
men). Between 1923 and 1930 six Norwegian submarines were built by
the main Navy shipyard in cooperation with the Kaldnes and Thunes yards.

Norway took over three submarines from the British Navy during the
second world war and a further three after the war. The Germans also
left behind fifteen submarines. Four of these were repaired and
incorporated into the Norwegian Navy. They had a crew of 47 men and a
diving depth of 180 metres.

In line with the Navy’s Fleet Plan of 1960, the Storting approved
the building of fifteen new submarines during the period from 1964 to
1967. These were of a German type and called the Kobben class.
Further additions, also German in type, were made to the fleet
between 1989 and 1992. These Ula class submarines are often described
as the world’s most advanced coastal submarines, with an official
diving depth of 250 metres. They can in fact dive much deeper – down
to 500 metres it is claimed.

Related posts:

1. Submarine Reserve of Larvotto
2. The First Malaysian Submarine
3. The bottom of the sea
4. 50 Years of Television in Norway
5. Norwegian Rock Pioneers