First Submarine Flotilla (Royal Navy)

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The First Submarine Flotilla was a formation of submarines of the Royal Navy. Prior to mid-1912, it was referred to as the Devonport Submarine Flotilla, occasionally referred to as "Section VI".[1]

History

April, 1911

The Devonport Submarine Flotilla is comprised of four "A" class coastal boats with Onyx acting as depot ship.[2]

Devonport Submarine Flotilla
Depot Ship
Onyx
Submarines
A 7 A 8 A 9 A 10

August, 1912

The Devonport Submarine Flotilla is now designated the First Submarine Flotilla, though it is not clear at what point this occurred.[3]

Based at Devonport
Depot Ship
Onyx
Submarines
A 7 A 8 A 9 A 10

March, 1913

A 10 has gone over to the Lamlash Submarine Flotilla.[4]

Based at Devonport
Depot Ship
Onyx
Submarines
A 7 A 8 A 9

Test Mobilisation of July 1914

Two submarines were known to participate: A 8 and A 9.[5]

September, 1914

The flotilla is a component of the Devonport Local Defence Flotilla, which also has some four organic destroyers and eight torpedo boats.[6]

Attached to the Devonport Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Onyx
Submarines
A 8 A 9

This roster and tasking would apply until February of 1916.[7]

February, 1916

The flotilla appears to be disbanded. It would not reappear in the Monthly Supplements to the Navy List until September, 1916.

September, 1916

What was previously dubbed the Seventh Submarine Flotilla is now the new First. Its mission is the same as the Seventh's old one: part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla, working alongside the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla.[8]

Attached to the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Hebe
Submarines
  B 3 C 23 C 24 C 25

It would have this roster and tasking until February or March, 1917.[9][10][11][12]

March, 1917

Hebe has shifted over to the Third Submarine Flotilla and the "C" class submarines have been attached to Ninth Submarine Flotilla.[13] Only B 3 is holding the fort.

Attached to the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Submarines
B 3

This humble state of affairs would last until February, 1918.[14]

February, 1918

B 3 is now noted as enjoying the services of a depot ship that is not otherwise affiliated with her tiny flotilla.[15]

Attached to the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Submarines, tender to Tarlair
B 3

This would apply for just the month.

March, 1918

In March, 1918, the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla would be disbanded, as would its First Submarine Flotilla subsidiary. B 3 was sent to provide "Experimental Work",[16] which in this case meant serving as an audio target for the testing, development and training in the use of Hydrophones.

March, 1919

Back as one of six flotillas supporting the Grand Fleet in the post-war navy, the First has a leader, a depot ship and seven "K" class submarines.[17]

Supporting the Grand Fleet
one of six new flotillas
Leader, Captain (S)
Fearless
Depot Ship
Royal Arthur
Submarines
  K 2 K 3 K 5 K 6
K 7 K 8 K 15

In Command

Dates of appointment given:

Footnotes

  1. The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 270b.
  2. The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 270b.
  3. The Navy List. (August, 1912). p. 270b.
  4. The Navy List. (March, 1913). pp. 269d, 270b.
  5. Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July, 1914.
  6. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 13.
  7. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 13 and Supplements through January, 1916.
  8. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 17.
  9. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 17.
  10. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 17.
  11. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 17.
  12. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 17.
  13. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). pp. 13, 16, 17.
  14. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 17 and Supplements through January, 1918.
  15. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 18.
  16. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 19.
  17. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). p. 12.
  18. Cromie Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/86. f. 291.
  19. The Navy List. (January, 1912). p. 350.
  20. Cromie Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/86. f. 291.
  21. The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 350.
  22. The Navy List. (February, 1914). p. 351.
  23. The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 396h.
  24. Saltren-Willett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/126. f. ?.
  25. Saltren-Willett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/126. f. ?.
  26. Leir Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/21. f. 424.
  27. Leir Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/21. f. 424.
  28. Lewis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/74. f. 279.
  29. Lewis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/74. f. 279.
  30. Talbot Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/120. f. 65.
  31. Talbot Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/120. f. 65.
  32. The Navy List. (January, 1923). p. 741.
  33. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 227.
  34. Layton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/134. f. ?.
  35. Turner Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/13. f. ?.
  36. Turner Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/13. f. ?.
  37. Darke Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/88. f. ?.
  38. Darke Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/88. f. ?.
  39. The Navy List. (February, 1929). p. 233.
  40. The Navy List. (July, 1931). p. 233.
  41. The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 227.
  42. Keble-White Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/117/60. f. 60.
  43. Keble-White Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/117/60. f. 60.

Bibliography

See Also


British Submarine Flotillas
First Submarine Flotilla | Second Submarine Flotilla | Third Submarine Flotilla | Fourth Submarine Flotilla
Fifth Submarine Flotilla | Sixth Submarine Flotilla | Seventh Submarine Flotilla | Eighth Submarine Flotilla
Ninth Submarine Flotilla | Tenth Submarine Flotilla | Eleventh Submarine Flotilla | Twelfth Submarine Flotilla
Thirteenth Submarine Flotilla | Fourteenth Submarine Flotilla | Fifteenth Submarine Flotilla | Sixteenth Submarine Flotilla
Ambrose's Flotilla | Mediterranean Flotilla | Platypus's Flotilla | Vulcan's Flotilla | Hong Kong Flotilla