HMS A-1

Type:
Submarine
Class:
A Group 1 (1902) (Class Overview)
Builder:
Vickers, Sons & Maxim Ltd.
Barrow-in-Furness, England
Pennant Number:
None
Ordered:
N/A
Commissioned:
July 27, 1903
Keel Laid:
February 19, 1902
Decommissioned:
N/A
Launched:
July 9, 1902
Stricken:
N/A
Fate:
Sunk during an unmanned experimental exercise Aug. 1911.

Location: English Channel, 9 miles SE of Portsmouth, England.
(50.44.52N - 00.55.19W)

No casualties, the submarine was unmanned at the time of loss.





History:
July 1903:
While on delivery to Portsmouth the engines broke down off Land's End and A-1
had to be towed to Falmouth because the batteries had been damaged by seawater.
March 18, 1904:
Sunk after being rammed by SS Berwick Castle (Union-Castle Line) while conducting
a mock torpedo attack against HMS Juno off the Isle of Wight.
All 11 crewmen were killed. (Roll of Honour)

Apr. 18, 1904:
Wreck of the A-1 was raised. She was repaired and returned to service.
Aug. 1910:
Gasoline explosion at Portsmouth injured 7 crewmen. A-1 was removed from service
and used for experiments for the remainder of her career.
Aug. 1911:
Sank while conducing experiments.
1989:
Wreck located.
Nov. 26, 1998:
Wreck protected under the Wreck Protection Act (1998 No. 2708).
Oct. 5, 2004:
Site re-designated extending the area of protection by the
Protection of wrecks, England Act (2004 No. 2395).


Notes:
HMS A-1 was the first Royal Navy submarine sunk in active service.


Builder's Data
Page published June 2, 2007