Stamp programme 2009

This submarine, which was christened "Kobben" and later renamed A-1,
surpassed all expectations and in 1911 a decision was made to build another three 
submarines at the same shipyard. A fifth was also started, but it was 
confiscated by the German navy when the first world war broke out.

The history of Norwegian submarines really began in 1808, when a 
village genius and blacksmith, Mikkel Hallsteinson Lofthus from 
Hardanger, designed the first known Norwegian underwater boat. He 
submitted drawings to a society in Bergen that promoted useful 
products, but the boat was never built. There was too little interest 
and not enough money. However this was put right 101 years later.

"Kobben" was commissioned on 28 November 1909 after its launching 
and completion of diving tests in the Great Belt. It arrived in 
Horten two weeks later and after a few days it went into full service 
with a crew of 12 men. "Kobben" remained in service until 1919. It 
was broken up some years later, but its conning tower was preserved 
and is mounted as a memorial at the Navy officers' training school 
in Horten.

After the first world war, the Storting granted funds for new 
submarines, this time choosing the American Holland class which had 
the same diving depth as the A class but carried a larger crew (23 
men). Between 1923 and 1930 six Norwegian submarines were built by 
the main Navy shipyard in cooperation with the Kaldnes and Thunes yards.

Norway took over three submarines from the British Navy during the 
second world war and a further three after the war. The Germans also 
left behind fifteen submarines. Four of these were repaired and 
incorporated into the Norwegian Navy. They had a crew of 47 men and a 
diving depth of 180 metres.

In line with the Navy's Fleet Plan of 1960, the Storting approved 
the building of fifteen new submarines during the period from 1964 to 
1967. These were of a German type and called the Kobben class. 
Further additions, also German in type, were made to the fleet 
between 1989 and 1992. These Ula class submarines are often described 
as the world's most advanced coastal submarines, with an official 
diving depth of 250 metres. They can in fact dive much deeper - down 
to 500 metres it is claimed.

Subject: "Kobben", Ula Class submarine
Design: Sverre Morken
Value: NOK 14.50 - NOK 15.50
Issue: NOK 14.50: 525,000, NOK 15.50: 750,000
No. per sheet: 50
Printing: Combination of recess and offset by Royal Joh. Enschedé, Netherlands.
 KBA-GIORI, Switzerland (steel engraving)
Sales prices: 
First day cover:  NOK 34.00
Presentation pack: NOK 35.00
Collector's set: NOK 74.00
Collector's sheet: NOK 50.00
Gold cover: NOK 95.00