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A 8 (I 18)

Built By: Vickers (Barrow)
Build Group: A2
Fate: 8 May 1905 - Sank in Plymouth Sound after internal explosion but was raised and repaired.

Eventually stricken in July 1916 and sold for breaking on 18th October 1920 to Phillips of Dartmouth.

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A 8 (I 18)
A 8 (I 18)
Commanders
1905: Lieutenant  Algernon Henry Chester Candy  
1913: Lieutenant  Eric Erskine Campbell Tufnell  
1915: Lieutenant  R N Stopford  

1914-15: 1st Flotilla, Devonport, HMS Onyx
1918: Training duty

On 8th May of 1905 whilst operating off the Plymouth breakwater, she was following the depot ship at a speed of 10 knots when she suddenly disappeared. There were only four of the crew saved.

The four survivors were the CO, a Sub Lt, Petty Officer Waller (The submarine services first coxswain) and a Leading Stoker. It was at first thought that an explosion was responsible for the loss of A8 but further evidence came out at an inquiry.

The inquiry came to the conclusion that the boat developed a bow down angle whilst travelling at 10 knots. This was possibly caused by an intake of water into the foremost petrol tank, where a rivet was discovered to be missing.

Roll of Honour
15
Died: 08-05-1905
Ayloff, William George  194448
Petty Officer 1st Class Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 24
Beedham, George  269605
Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 25
Birch, Stephen  201849
Able Seaman Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 24
Bruckland, William George  270254
Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 29
Crew, Arthur Burns  151548
Petty Officer 1st Class Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 32
Cusick, Thomas  194176
Leading Seaman Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 25
Fletcher, Edward Travers 
Sub Lieutenant Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 21
Greene, Edmond  282298
Stoker Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 29
Kerswell, John  181481
Leading Seaman Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 27
McKnight, John  207398
Able Seaman Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 22
Reeve, Thomas Samuel  137633
Chief Stoker Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 37
Rylands, Arthur  180612
Able Seaman Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 26
Simpson, James William  180703
Leading Seaman Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 27
Thomas, Joseph  179358
Leading Seaman Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 26
Vickers, Frederick  269707
Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Died: 08-05-1905 Aged: 25

Events

01-09-1903 Laid Down
23-01-1905 Launched
08-05-1905 At 10:30 in the morning an explosion ripped through HMS A8 whilst she was on exercise in Plymouth Sound. A nearby Trawler, the Chanticleer witnessed the explosion and lowered her boats as the submarine began to founder to offer assistance.

Shortly after the submarine sank further explosions were witnessed and wreckage drifted to the surface. HMS A8 was salvaged on the 12th and inspections indicated that the explosions were more than likely caused by a chemical reaction within the battery.
08-05-1905 Completed
18-10-1920 Sold for breaking to Phillips of Dartmouth.
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