Canadian Submarine Choices - Part One

Over the next three days I'll write about the Canadian submarine environment and choices.

Up until 1960's Canadians who wished to be submariners would need to be part of the UK Royal Navy (RN), be seconded to the RN, or at least trained by the 6th Division (more later). This applied more to Canada's easterly (Atlantic Ocean) environment rather than west, the Pacific Ocean. I haven't ever heard of Canadian submariners historically seconded to the US Navy (USN) although there may now be seconded Canadian observers/intelligence analysts for some inter-service functions.

Throughout World War One, interwar and Two Canadians interested in submarines were fully integrated into the RN. In 1954 perhaps as a training encouragement for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to form a submarine service the UK Government based a submarine "Division" (grand title for flotilla) in Canada. This was the RN's 6th Submarine Division based at Canada's main east coast (hence Atlantic) naval base at Halifax. 

The 6th division consisted of 3 Amphion shortened to "A" class submarines. The A class had first appeared late in the WWII UK. Most A-class were heavily modified postwar incorporating improvements of the very advanced captured German Type XXI submarines. The A-class at Halifax had  improvements which included streamlining, much increased battery capacity and usually no deck armament - all promoting longer submerged endurance at higher speed. One of the A class at Halifax was HMS Auriga (P419) Wikipedia implies Auriga was not improved as it mentions deck armament (20mm and 4-inch). In contrast rnsubs (below) shows Auriga with its subsequent and extensive postwar streamlining, with no deck armament.

HMS Auriga (P419) of the A-class, streamlined and no deck guns (Photo courtesy rnsubs)

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6th Division (Halifax)'s function included RN power projection, cooperation with the USN in anti-Soviet Navy operations, training Canadian submariners and sending a strong signal to Canada that Britain expected Canada to eventually buy British submarines for a RCN submarine unit. "Buy British" had strategic and economic benefits for the UK.

Between 1957-1960 Canada decided to buy submarines, but not necessarily British. Purchase of expensive US built Barbel-class submarines was, for a short time, entertained. The high Barbel price could be explained by high development costs being amortised into only 3 Barbels bought by the USN. US purchase of only 3 was explicable by the US and especially Rickover's intention (which the RCN would be aware of) of all nuclear propelled submarines in future. The RCN were aware of the risks of buying Barbels that would become "orphan subs" unsupported by the USN in terms of upgrades and spare parts. 

The most obvious cheaper, safer, choice, a choice promoted by decades of RN "grooming" was buying the UK Oberon. Oberons, their very similar predessors the Porpoises (and before them the A-class) were bought and used in substantial numbers by the RN. Oberons, larger in size and crew, were better suited than the A-class to Canada's long-range transoceanic operations. Technical and strategic problems in the A-Porpoise-Oberon evolution were safely worked out and paid for by the British. This was a happy acquisitions and political situation for the RCN. This situation was also enjoyed in very similar ways by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) which hosted a RN submarine flotilla in Sydney (1949-1969). 

Tomorrow - Part Two.

Pete