Submarine Squadron 14


Submarine Squadron 14, also known as Site One, Holy Loch, was a United States Navy submarine squadron. It was based at Holy Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, between 1958 and 1992.

History

During World War II, served as tender and staff headquarters for Submarine Squadron 14's staff and Division Staff in Pearl Harbor from July to September 1943.
Postwar, it consisted of Polaris and, later, Poseidon Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarines based at Holy Loch, Firth of Clyde, on the west coast of Scotland. Commissioned on July 1, 1958, the squadron arrived at FBM Refit Site One, Holy Loch, on March 3, 1961 and departed in June 1992.
The squadron was part of Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The squadron also included a series of submarine tenders anchored out in the loch, initially, tugs, barges, small boats, and the floating drydock.
The site was a deep, sheltered anchorage which had been a British submarine base during World War II, with the Submarine Depot Ship serving as a support unit for submarines training in the Clyde.
From the latter half of 1978 until November 1991, was forward deployed at Site One. On November 9, 1991, Will Rogers departed Site One, the last submarine to leave Holy Loch before Submarine Squadron 14 was deactivated.

FBM submarine tenders assigned to SUBRON 14

*

Service craft assigned to SUBRON 14

  • YFNB-31—Living/Working Barge: Boat Operations Department
  • YFNB-42
  • YD-245—Floating barge Crane

Small boats

There was also a large number of small boats used to transport personnel and supplies from the shore to the ship. Among these small boats were Utility Boats, LCM Mk6 and Mk8 landing craft, some with the holds roofed over for personnel transport, and a officers motorboat. The ships' divers had a LCM Mk6 modified as a dive boat. There was also a boat known as the "Box L" of uncertain heritage.

Polaris military tartan

The idea for the Polaris Military Tartan came from Captain Walter F. Schlech while he was Commodore of SUBRON 14 in the early 1960s. The design of the tartan was the work of Alexander MacIntyre of nearby Strone, Cowal. The yellow and sky blue lines are said to represent the alternating blue and gold crews of the FBM submarines. The tartan is worn by the members of the United States Naval Academy Pipes and Drums.