'It is understood that no ceremony will take place at the forthcoming launch of the first British submarine at Barrow-in-Furness. The Admiralty regard these boats as wholly in the nature of an experiment and, like all other experiments conducted from time to time, this one will be carried out with every privacy'.
There were many setbacks in the early days and tragic losses. But steadily the Royal Navy's confidence, experience and knowledge grew and by 1914 the submarine service was formidable, effective and efficient.
In the quest for speed, endurance and fighting efficiency, many submarines were fitted with a vast array of additional contraptions and appendages. Some were fitted with funnels and
