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A 1

Built By: Vickers (Barrow)
Build Group: A1
Fate: Struck on the starboard side, near the conning tower by the steam ship Berwick Castle. 18th March 1904 off Portsmouth, no survivors.

Raised 18th April 1904 and eventually used as target, sunk August 1911.

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A1
A1
The ill fated A1
The ill fated A1
Commanders
TBA: Lieutenant  L C O Mansergh  

1904: HMS Hazard/Fort Blockhouse.

The Admiralty had been dismissive at first of submarines but the American and French work persuaded them to follow suit. A batch of five submarines for testing tactical suitability were ordered in early 1901, built under licence from America by vickersVickers at Barrow-in-Furness, named Holland 1 to 5.

Captain Reginald Bacon, the first Inspecting Captain of Submarines, concluded that these vessels were too small, resulting in a larger Holland 6 being built. Reflecting the decision to identify the vessel type as A Class, Holland 6 was renamed A-1, becoming the first submarine for the Royal Navy

Related Pages
Read
The First British Sub Ever To Be Lost At Sea

A1 was completed in 1902 and was destined to have a brief life. She carried aboard during that life, King Edward VII and HRH the Prince of Wales. Then, during manoeuvres on March 18, 1904, she became the first British Submarine to be lost at sea

Roll of Honour
11
Died: 18-03-1904
Baker, George Gibson  158859
Petty Officer Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 28
Baly, Clinton Parker  270491
Engine Room Artificer Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 31
Churchill, John Preston 
Sub Lieutenant Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 21
Dudgeon, William  123005
Petty Officer Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 37
Ellis, Albert Benjamin  149151
Stoker Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 34
Fleming, Albert Bertram  144822
Chief Stoker Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 36
King, Charles William  184404
Able Seaman Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 24
Mansergh, Loftus Charles Ogilvy 
Lieutenant Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 31
Parkinson, William Joseph  268715
Chief Engine Room Artificer Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 32
Roberts, Vivian William Lake  168656
Petty Officer Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 37
Wallace, Peter Scott  186888
Able Seaman Died: 18-03-1904 Aged: 24

Events

19-02-1902 Laid Down
09-07-1902 Launched
27-07-1903 Completed
19-02-1904 Commissioned
18-03-1904 Whist on exercise off the Isle of Wight HMS A1 was tasked with 'attacking' HMS Juno. The mock attack began in the early afternoon; HMS Juno had been sighted heading towards Portsmouth Harbour. First to attack were the Holland Boats, after which came A1's turn. As A1 closed in for the kill she was struck on the starboard side, near the conning tower, by the steam ship Berwick Castle, on route from Southampton to Hamburg.

Unaware of the submarines in the area the master of the Berwick Castle reported that he believed he had been struck by a practice torpedo and continued his journey.

It was not until A1 failed to return to harbour that the full scale of the disaster was known
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