HMS Nautilus (1914)

HMS Nautilus was the largest submarine built for the Royal Navy at the time and the first to be given a name.

Nautilus was designed in response to recommendations for an overseas submarine displacing 1,000 tons and capable of 20 kn. The resulting design changed from the saddle tanks common at the time to a double hull.

The order was given to Vickers in 1912 and her keel was laid down in March 1913. Although launched in 1914 it took until 1917 to complete the vessel. Nautilus spent most of her life with the 1st Submarine Flotilla at Portsmouth as a depot ship and later as a battery charging vessel. She was renamed N1 in June 1917.