HMS K26

HMS K26 was a K-class submarine of the Royal Navy. Ordered in June 1919, she was built by Vickers at Barrow-in-Furness and launched on 19 November 1920. She was one of the last K-class submarines completed and served in the interwar period.

These submarines were designed to operate with the Grand Fleet and were intended to have high surface speeds. This made them essentially large, steam-powered submarines. The K-class suffered from numerous design flaws and were prone to accidents, earning them the nickname "Kalamity Class".

HMS K26 served in various locations, including the Far East. Details of her specific patrols and activities are relatively scarce compared to submarines that served in more active wartime periods. Like other K-class submarines, she presented considerable challenges for her crew due to the complexity and unreliability of her steam propulsion system, and the difficulties in maneuvering such a large submarine both on the surface and submerged.

She was eventually sold for scrap in 1931. Her short service life and the overall issues with the K-class submarines contributed to the Royal Navy's decision to move away from steam-powered submarines.