HISTORY
HISTORY

On August 21, 1912, Greece received the DELFIN Submarine from the Toulon naval base. The Submarine was received by Captain Stefanos Paparrigopoulos, who was also its first commander.
The DELFIN, a French LAUDEUF type submarine, had a displacement of 310/450 tons and developed a speed of 8.5/13 knots. Its armament consisted of a total of 4 torpedo launchers of 45 cm on its exterior under the wooden deck.
Also read: June 28, 1919 | The Liberation of Serres – The report of the Cypriot journalist
The submarine could submerge up to 36m deep and had a 2-hour energy radius with 8 knots, a 7.5-hour one with 6 knots and a 17.5-hour one with 4.5 knots. The payload was a total of 6 torpedoes, five in launch positions and one in reserve. The submarine had a crew of 18 men.
DELFIN was put into service on October 5 and sailed to the Naval Base in time to take part in the wars in 1912-1913. During the First Balkan War on December 9, 1912, the Turkish cruiser Mecidiye, accompanied by four destroyers, collided with four Greek “Leontos” type destroyers near Tenedos.
Then, there was an unsuccessful torpedo attack by the Greek submarine. It was the first torpedo launch against an enemy warship by a Submarine in World Maritime History. After the unsuccessful attack, the submarine DELFIN was chased by the Turkish destroyers, as a result of which it submerged in a great depth towards Mavronisia.
.
Also read: Dimitrios Kamperos | The daring Greek aviator and the first military flight
Immediately after the attack and during its submersion, the submarine grounded on the seabed and was forced to drop its lead ballast in order to escape. This had as a result the inability of the submarine to participate in operations until the end of the war. The battleship Averof arrived afterwards from Moudros to assist the Greek ships overcome the Turkish threat.
During the First World War, DELFIN was confiscated by the French along with the submarine XIFIAS. When they were returned at the end of the war, they were in very poor condition. DOLFIN was operational until 1920, when it was decommissioned.
The “DELFIN ” and “XIFIAS” Submarines were the fleet of the Greek Submarines at the beginning of the First World War.
With information from: Hellenic Navy
Also read: NIREFS submarine | The invisible hunter of the Aegean and its crew – VIDEO
Memorial Speech by the Minister of Defence Vassilis Palmas at the annual memorial service for the fallen of the 3rd Company of the 211th Infantry Battalion
The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Vassilis Palmas, attended the annual commemoration of the fallen of the 3rd…
120 years since the death of Pavlos Melas—The Hero of the Macedonian Struggle—Photos
The Armed Forces honor the memory of the ethnic martyr who gave his life for the liberation of Macedonia…
80 years since the Battle of Rimini – The Brigade that wrote golden pages of history
The “Rimini Brigade” wrote new pages of history for Greece, placing it in the camp of the winners. This success was linked to hope and…
Denmark | Trial of Voyager Surveillance USVs in the North and Baltic Seas
Denmark has recently deployed two unmanned surface vessels (USVs), developed and operated by a U.S. company, to enhance surveillance efforts in the Baltic Sea and North Sea.
ALTUS LSA | Included in the List of the Top 100 Drone Defence Companies of 2025
The Defense Post has recently unveiled its definitive list of the Top 100 Companies Advancing Drone Technology, with Altus LSA proudly representing…
Lockheed Martin – KAI | Expansion of Strategic Relationship
Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2025 Paris Air Show on 17 June, to…
RTX, Kongsberg, and Norway Showcase Ghosteye Radar at Paris Air Show 2025
Raytheon, a business of RTX (NYSE: RTX), in collaboration with the Norwegian government and Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, has announced…
Rheinmetall – Anduril Industries | Strategic Partnership to Co-Develop and Deliver a Suite of Autonomous Systems
Rheinmetall and Anduril Industries have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop and deliver a comprehensive suite of autonomous systems.
MBDA | One-Way Effector Designed to Saturate Enemy’s Air Defence
At the 2025 Paris Air Show, MBDA is unveiling its One-Way Effector.
0 Comments