SMS S32 (1886)

For other ships with the same name, see SMS S32.

SMS S32^[a][b], was a torpedo boat of the Imperial German Navy. She was built in 1886 by Schichau at Elbing, as one of a large number of small torpedo boats of similar design built for the German navy. S32 was sunk in a collision with the torpedo boat S76 in the Baltic Sea on 17 August 1910.

History
German Empire
Name	SMS S32
Builder	Schichau-Werke, Elbing
Launched	12 November 1886
Completed	8 December 1886
Fate	Sunk in collision with SMS S76 on 17 August 1910
General characteristics
Displacement	119 t (117 long tons) design
Length	39.12 m (128 ft 4 in)
Beam	5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
Draught	2.52 m (8 ft 3 in)
Installed power	900 PS (890 ihp; 660 kW)
Propulsion	1 × Triple expansion steam engine
Speed	19.9 kn (22.9 mph; 36.9 km/h)
Complement	20
Armament	3× 35 cm (14 in) torpedo tubes

Design and construction

In 1884, the Imperial German Navy started to build up a force of torpedo boats, ordering a number of prototypes from several shipyards, both at home and abroad. Following delivery of these prototypes, the Schichau-Werke became the principle supplier of torpedo boats to the German Navy, a position it held for many years, with large orders for torpedo boats of similar, but gradually improving design being placed.^[2]

S32 was launched from Schichau's shipyard at Elbing, East Prussia (now Elbląg in Poland) on 12 November 1886 and completed on 8 December 1886.^[3] The ship was 39.12 metres (128 ft 4 in) long, with a beam of 5.30 metres (17 ft 5 in) and a draught of 2.52 metres (8 ft 3 in).^[4] Displacement was 119 tonnes (117 long tons). She was powered by a three-cylinder Triple expansion steam engine, rated at 900 metric horsepower (890 ihp; 660 kW), which drove a single shaft, giving a speed of 19.9 knots (22.9 mph; 36.9 km/h).^[5]

S32 carried three 35 cm (14 in) torpedo tubes, with a single spare torpedo carried.^[4] The ship's initial gun armament consisted of a single Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon,^[5][c] which was replaced by a 5 cm SK L/40 gun from 1893.^[4][5] The ship had a crew of 20.^[4]

Service

S32 was serving as a training boat as part of the 1st Torpedo Division at Kiel in 1894,^[6] and remained on the same duty in 1899.^[7] From 5 June 1910, S32 served as the tender for the light cruiser Danzig, which was attached to the naval artillery inspectorate to train the fleet's gunners.^[8] On the night of 16/17 August, she was involved in a collision with the torpedo boat S76 in the Kieler Förde. Danzig came to both boats' aid and took off their crews.^[8] Both boats sank, although S76 was later salvaged and returned to service.^[9]

Notes

1. "SMS" stands for "Seiner Majestät Schiff" (transl. His Majesty's Ship)
2. The "S" in S32 denoted the shipbuilder who constructed her, in this case Schichau.^[1]
3. Two Hotchkiss guns according to Conway's.^[4]