*British, WW1, Original Photograph of A Class Submarines at HMS Dolphin*
Original Photograph of a group of A Class Submarines at HMS Dolphin. This photograph originally formed part of the Lou Britton British Submarine Collection, which was acquired by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport in 2007. Handwritten on the back “A Boats Dolphin”.
Approximate Measurements: 18cm x 12.5cm
A-Class
The A-class was the Royal Navy’s first British-designed submarine class, with thirteen built by Vickers at Barrow-in-Furness between 1902 and 1905, improving on the US Plunger class.
Design & Construction
These submarines varied in design but were around 100 feet long and displaced 200 tons submerged. The first, A1, was launched in 1902, and the last, A13, in 1905. They used battery-powered electric motors underwater and Wolseley petrol engines on the surface, with power ranging from 400 to 600 bhp. A13 experimented with a 500 bhp Vickers diesel engine, which proved unreliable. All carried two 18-inch torpedo tubes with four torpedoes, except A1, which had one tube and three torpedoes.
Service History
The class suffered numerous accidents, with A1, A3, A4, A5, A7, and A8 involved in mishaps, many fatal. A1 sank in 1904 after a collision but was raised and later used as a gunnery target in 1911. A7 was lost in 1914 after diving into mud, and A13 was laid up due to engine issues.
During World War I, the remaining boats served in harbour defence at Portsmouth, Devonport, and Ardrossan. They were converted for training in 1918 and sold in 1919–1920, except A2, which was wrecked and sold in 1925.
*Condition*
Excellent used condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMAOXAH_7959193405
