[2] The submarine was powered by two oil-fired Yarrow Shipbuilders boilers and one geared Brown-Curtis or Parsons steam turbine; this developed 10,500 ship horsepower (7,800 kW) to drive two 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) screws.

[2][3] The vessel was also fitted with a diesel engine providing 800 horsepower (600 kW) to be used when steam was being generated.

[2][5] The boat could operate at depths of 150 feet (46 m) at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph) for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi).

[2] The torpedo tubes were fitted to the bows, the midship section, and two were mounted on the deck.

[5] K17 was sunk on 31 January 1918 during the night time fleet exercises later known as the Battle of May Island (Operation E.C.1) when she was attached to the 13th Submarine Flotilla.