Q&A · 33:55-36:02

Why Swedish submarines felt the most habitable

Headroom makes the difference in a personal comparison of museum submarines, with Swedish boats allowing upright movement and less neck strain.

Question

Which navy's submarines offered the most comfortable accommodation?

Short answer

Of the museum submarines discussed in the video, Swedish submarines were the most comfortable because their internal height reduced the strain of moving through the boat.

Notes

Swedish submarines were the most comfortable museum boats Alex Clarke had visited, chiefly because he could move through them without continuously stooping. That comparison draws on visits to boats from several navies, including Britain, the United States, Norway, Canada, and Australia. Bunks and toilets appeared broadly comparable, while headroom made the noticeable difference. He recalls emerging from the Swedish boat without the neck ache experienced on other visits. This is a visitor's personal comparison of preserved submarines, with standing room as the decisive feature.