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British A class submarine (1903)
Encyclopedia
For the later A classes, see Amphion class submarine
and Astute class submarine
The A class was the Royal Navy
's first class of British-designed submarines. Thirteen were built by Vickers
at Barrow-in-Furness
between 1902 and 1905 as an improvement on the US Plunger class
. While there was considerable variation amongst the boats of the class, they were around 100 ft (30 m) long and displaced around 200 tons when submerged. All of the class were propelled underwater by battery-powered electric motors and on the surface by shaft-drive Wolseley
petrol engines of 400 bhp (A1), 450 bhp (A2-4) or 600 bhp (A5-12). A13 had an experimental 500 bhp Vickers
diesel
plant, which proved unreliable.
Armament was two 18 inch (45 cm) torpedo
tubes with four torpedoes, except for A-1 which had 1 tube and 3 torpedoes.
The first, A1 (ordered as Holland No. 6), was launched in July 1902, the last, A13, in April 1905.
A1 was sunk off Portsmouth
on March 18, 1904, in collision with the liner Berwick Castle, but raised and put back into service before finally being sunk as a naval gunnery target in 1911, followed in 1912 by A3. A7 was lost in Whitsand Bay
in 1914 after diving into mud. A13 was laid up in 1914 due to engine unreliability.
The remainder were used during the First World War for harbour defence, A2 and A4 - A6 at Portsmouth
, A8 and A9 at Devonport
, and A10-A12 at Ardrossan
. All survived the war and were converted to training in 1918 and sold in 1919-1920 except for A2 which was wrecked while awaiting disposal and finally sold in 1925.
This submarine class was plagued by numerous accidents and failures, with almost every boat in the class (A-1, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-7, and A-8) being involved in some sort of accident over the course of its operational history. Many of these accidents were fatal to the crew, and resulted in the decommissioning of the submarine.
Amphion class submarine
|-See also:- External links :**...
and Astute class submarine
Astute class submarine
The Astute-class is the latest class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines in service with the Royal Navy. The class sets a new standard for the Royal Navy in terms of weapons load, communication facilities and stealth. The boats are being constructed by BAE Systems Submarine Solutions at...
The A class was the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's first class of British-designed submarines. Thirteen were built by Vickers
Vickers
Vickers was a famous name in British engineering that existed through many companies from 1828 until 1999.-Early history:Vickers was formed in Sheffield as a steel foundry by the miller Edward Vickers and his father-in-law George Naylor in 1828. Naylor was a partner in the foundry Naylor &...
at Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...
between 1902 and 1905 as an improvement on the US Plunger class
Plunger class submarine
The Plunger-class was an early class of United States Navy submarines, used primarily as training vessels for the newly formed "silent service" to familiarize navy personnel with the performance and operations of such craft. Most of these "A-class" submarines ended up being stationed in the...
. While there was considerable variation amongst the boats of the class, they were around 100 ft (30 m) long and displaced around 200 tons when submerged. All of the class were propelled underwater by battery-powered electric motors and on the surface by shaft-drive Wolseley
Wolseley
-Businesses:* The Wolseley, a restaurant at 160 Piccadilly, London, based in the former head showroom of the Wolseley Motor Company* Wolseley plc, a UK-based multinational building supplies company which was formerly active in other sectors...
petrol engines of 400 bhp (A1), 450 bhp (A2-4) or 600 bhp (A5-12). A13 had an experimental 500 bhp Vickers
Vickers
Vickers was a famous name in British engineering that existed through many companies from 1828 until 1999.-Early history:Vickers was formed in Sheffield as a steel foundry by the miller Edward Vickers and his father-in-law George Naylor in 1828. Naylor was a partner in the foundry Naylor &...
diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
plant, which proved unreliable.
Armament was two 18 inch (45 cm) torpedo
British 18 inch torpedo
There have been a number of 18 inch torpedoes in service with the United Kingdom. These have been used on ships of the Royal Navy and aircraft of both the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force...
tubes with four torpedoes, except for A-1 which had 1 tube and 3 torpedoes.
The first, A1 (ordered as Holland No. 6), was launched in July 1902, the last, A13, in April 1905.
A1 was sunk off Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
on March 18, 1904, in collision with the liner Berwick Castle, but raised and put back into service before finally being sunk as a naval gunnery target in 1911, followed in 1912 by A3. A7 was lost in Whitsand Bay
Whitsand Bay
Whitsand Bay, situated in south east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom runs from Rame Head in the east to Portwrinkle in the west. It is characterised by sheer, high cliffs, dramatic scenery and long stretches of sandy beaches...
in 1914 after diving into mud. A13 was laid up in 1914 due to engine unreliability.
The remainder were used during the First World War for harbour defence, A2 and A4 - A6 at Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, A8 and A9 at Devonport
HMNB Devonport
Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England...
, and A10-A12 at Ardrossan
Ardrossan
Ardrossan is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory...
. All survived the war and were converted to training in 1918 and sold in 1919-1920 except for A2 which was wrecked while awaiting disposal and finally sold in 1925.
This submarine class was plagued by numerous accidents and failures, with almost every boat in the class (A-1, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-7, and A-8) being involved in some sort of accident over the course of its operational history. Many of these accidents were fatal to the crew, and resulted in the decommissioning of the submarine.