WELMAN CRAFT (MINI SUBMARINE)

Welman Craft is the name of a type of British miniature submarines from the Second World War. Production of these units began at the turn of 1942 and 1943. The total length of a single unit of this type was 6.25 m, and the maximum speed under water was up to 3 knots. The range was around 65-70 kilometers. In total, about 100 units of this type were probably built. Welman Craft units were designed by British officer John Dolphin for use in special operations against enemy surface ships standing in ports. The tactic of using ships of this type assumed a stealthy approach to the target, planting an explosive charge weighing up to approx. 190 kilograms, and a secret retreat. The units, however, did not turn out to be particularly successful and suffered from a considerable number of design flaws. For this reason, their production was stopped at the end of 1943. Their limited combat use took place in the same year, inter alia, in Norwegian waters.