§ 95. Mr. Sharplesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the maximum underwater speed of H.M. Submarine "Explorer"; and how this compares with the underwater speed record.
§ Mr. SoamesIt would not be in the public interest to state the precise capabilities of this experimental submarine, but she has achieved an underwater speed of more than 25 knots. As there are no accepted standards for making and checking an underwater speed record, we cannot claim that she holds it, but we believe that the speed she has attained makes her a strong contender for the title of the fastest submarine in the world. The lack of accepted standards prevents us from trying for an underwater speed record, to add to the records on the water, in the air, and on land, which Great Britain already holds.