HMS A1

HMS A1 was the Royal Navy's first British-designed submarine. She was the lead ship of the A-class, the first class of British submarines, and the first to be commissioned. The A1 was launched in 1902 and was in service until 1911.

Design and Construction

The HMS A1 was designed by the Admiralty in response to the perceived threat of the French submarine fleet. The design was based on the Holland-class submarines, which were in service with the United States Navy at the time. The A1 was built by Vickers, Sons & Maxim at their Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.

The submarine was 63 feet long, with a beam of 12 feet and a draught of 10 feet. She was powered by a 600-horsepower petrol engine for surface running and a 150-horsepower electric motor for submerged operation. The A1 was armed with two 18-inch torpedo tubes.

Service History

The HMS A1 was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1903. She was used primarily for training and experimental purposes. In 1904, the A1 was accidentally rammed by a liner, the Berwick Castle, and sank. All crew members were lost. The submarine was raised, repaired, and returned to service.

In 1911, the A1 was decommissioned and converted into a target for anti-submarine training. She was sunk in 1911 during a training exercise and remains on the seabed off the coast of Isle of Wight.

Legacy

The HMS A1 was the first of a long line of British submarines. Her design and construction marked the beginning of the Royal Navy's submarine service, which continues to this day. The lessons learned from the A1's service and loss informed the design and operation of subsequent British submarines.