Hong Kong Submarine Flotilla

The Hong Kong Submarine Flotilla was a small formation of submarines of the Royal Navy that was active during the Great War.

History

The formation's constituent ships were simply listed with other assets on the China Station. The formation's membership seemed uniquely static: three "C" class coastal submarines arranged under the depot ship Rosario, whose services may also have been provided to T.Bs. and T.B.Ds. on the station.

September, 1914

Three "C" class submarines and their depot ship are listed under "China Station". This arrangement would carry through the entire war, which is remarkable.

At Hong Kong
Depot Ship
Rosario
Submarines
C 36		C 37		C 38

In March 1918, the format of the Navy List would more clearly align the submarines with Rosario. Whether this was a meaningful change is not clear, but it would persist through the end of the war as Supplements to the Monthly Navy List would make clear.

November, 1918

No real change, except Rosario is marked as "Paid off". This arrangement would carry through December.

At Hong Kong
Depot Ship
Rosario*
Submarines
C 36		C 37		C 38

December, 1918

No real change, all component vessels are marked as "Paid off". This dormant status would carry through until at least July, 1919.

At Hong Kong
Depot Ship
Rosario*
Submarines
C 36*		C 37*		C 38*

In Command

I can find no clear sign that the flotilla had a commander after March, 1915. It may have ceased to exist as a named entity, though its components remained on the Navy List.

Dates of appointment given:

• Lieutenant & Commander Nicholas E. Archdale, 24 April, 1911 – October, 1913
• Lieutenant & Commander Francis A. N. Cromie, c. mid August 1913 – March 1915