Town’s role as Royal Navy celebrated a century of the Submarine Service

Bands, fireworks, a rear-admiral and two Victoria Cross winners help to mark historic significance of 1901 Barrow Holland 1 launch

A STARRING role was handed to Barrow in 2001 when celebrations were held for the centenary of the Submarine Service.

A parade, shipyard open day, an exhibition, fireworks and a fun fair all played their part as the town recalled the 1901 launch of Holland 1 at Barrow - the first submarine to be commissioned for the Royal Navy.

Among the special guests were submarine Victoria Cross winners Ian Fraser and Nat Gould, who took part in a grand parade in an open-top Rolls Royce.

Also in town was Flag Officer Submarines, Rear Admiral Rob Stevens, as the Submarine Service was granted the Freedom of the Borough.

The Mail, on Tuesday, May 8 in 2001, noted: "Shipyard bosses came in for praise today for spending what was thought to be more than £300,000 to make Barrow Submarine Centenary a huge success for the town.

"The local Submariners Association says up to 800 former submariners and their relatives were among the thousands of visitors who enjoyed four sunny days in the town's biggest festival for years."

Submariners Association spokesman Terry Spurling said: "It was a magnificent weekend and the weather was great.

"There must have been 800 to 900 submariners in the town, including the 400 on the march at BAE.

"We don't know precisely what BAE spent but we believe it will probably be in excess of £300,000.

"BAE is to be commended for its part and its involvement with the community.

"They need to be patted on the back."

The article noted: "The weekend, including the conferring of the Freedom of the Borough on the Submarine Service at the Town Hall and the big commemorative parade at BAE, was organised over two years.

"All 5,000 BAE workers' tickets for its open day at Cornmill Sidings were taken as were 6,000 more tickets taken by Barrow Borough Council and distributed from Forum 28.

"The crowds continued at the park fun day events on Sunday and during yesterday.

"The Dock Museum with its new Shipbuilders to the World exhibition was drawing more than 3,000 visitors a day."

Barrow mayor Cllr Jack Richardson said: "The weekend went extremely well and I think we have to be proud of the way it was organised.

"I was extremely proud to be the person who actually awarded the Freedom of the Borough to the Submarine Service.

"It was a complete weekend of ceremony and entertainment and the balance between the two was just about perfect."

Holland 1 was lost a sea which being towed in 1913 but was recovered in 1982 and is now on display at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport.