THE IRISH TIMES

16/02/1905

The new submarine A5 has arrived at Queenstown from Dunmore , in command of Lieutenant Good and Sub-Lieut Skinner, after a fine passage. She is to undergo experiments and to assist in the protection of the harbour. During the voyage from Dunmore A5 steamed about 11 knots and her behaviour was satisfactory. She was accompanied buy the gunboat Hazard.

THE IRISH TIMES

17/02/1905

On 18 March last the submarine A1 was run down by a liner off the Nab, and lost with all hands. Today it is our sad duty to chronicle the disaster which has overtaken another craft of the same class. It was only yesterday that we announced the arrival at Queenstown of Submarine A5 from Dunmore . We stated that she had made the voyage at about 11 knots, and that her behaviour was accounted most satisfactory. She had been detached to Queenstown in order to carry out a series of experiments with a view to demonstrating the utility of the submarine in the matter of harbour defence.

Arrangements had been made to put A5 through experimental exercises, and she was just upon the point of leaving her moorings when the explosion occurred on board. At ten minutes past ten o’clock – quarter of an hour, that is to say, after the first explosion – a second explosion took place. Even before the sound of the first explosion had died away in the distance the submarine was boarded by a party from the Hazard, which was lying alongside.

We may rest assured that could human skill or human gallantry have availed aught we should not now be dealing with as sorrowful a tale as any that is to be found in the annals of the Royal Navy. But in the explosions Sub-Lieutenant F.C. Skinner and two men lost their lives and Lieutenant H.J.G. Good, the Commander of A5 and ten men severely injured, the injuries in the case of the Commander being so severe indeed that he may have to undergo a surgical operation, and will in all likelihood, it is said, lose his eyesight.

Not a single soul on the submarine escaped death or injury, it will be observed, nor is this surprising when it is learned that the first explosion forced a column of water to a height of 30 feet and materials from inside the vessel to a height of 50 feet. Nothing certain is known as to the cause of the explosion. A5 was a submarine of the latest type. She had given those who constructed her, and those who navigated her, every satisfaction. It is thought that some defect existed in the gasoline tank, and the outbreak of fire, which hampered the rescuing party in its work, goes some way to confirm this impression.

Be the cause what it may, however, we shall not be alone, we feel sure, when we ask if the submarine type is not at least as dangerous to its possessors as it is hoped it will prove to its enemies. A1 was manoeuvring under actual conditions of war – when she was struck by a liner and sunk. A5 was at her moorings preparing for experimental exercises when she was wrecked by an explosion.

The Admiralty, it is well known at the outset, regarded the submarine with suspicion, and the fate of the A1 and of A5 justifies this attitude upon their part.

Of the dangers which come to them in the ordinary course of their duty as seamen and as gunners we take no account, but the possibilities of accidents to submariners, outside the range of incidents which every sailor must be ready to face, are so great that we feel the possession of a submarine flotilla may constitute a graver danger that the want of craft of this class. If Greek fire and the explosive bullet have been banned by international agreement it should be possible to place the submarine outside the pale of civilised warfare.

THE IRISH TIMES

18/02/1905

First-Class Petty Officers Manly and Pryor, who were injured in the explosion on submarine A5, died during Thursday night in the hospital at Haulbowline. The remaining men are progressing as well as can be expected. Lieutenant Good’s sight still remains good in both eyes. Numerous telegrams expressing sympathy with the friends of the sufferers have been received by Rear Admiral McLeod. The remains of Sub-Lieutenant Skinner were yesterday removed from Haulbowline for Bedford .

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