Submarine History

[Colleen]

In 1580, the first published prescription for a submarine came from the pen of William Bourne, an English inn~keeper and scientific dilettante. Bourne first offered a lucid description of why a ship floats – by displacing its weight of water

Dutchman Cornelius Drebbel, was hired in 1603 as "court inventor" for James I of England, built what seems to have been the first working submarine. According to accounts, some of which may have been written by people who actually saw the submarine, it was a decked-over rowboat, propelled by twelve oarsmen, which made a submerged journey down the Thames River at a depth of about fifteen feet.

The U. S. Navy announced an open competition for a submarine torpedo boat, with a $2 million incentive. The specifications were based on presumed Nordenfeldt-level capabilities and presumed a steam-powerplant of 1000 horsepower.

On March 3 1895, the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company was awarded $200,000 to build an 85-foot, 15 knot, steam-powered submarine to be called "Plunger."  "Plunger," launched in 1897, failed before ever leaving the dock.

On April 11 1900, the U. S. Navy bought "Holland VI", from John P. Holland, for $160,000 and changed the name to USS Holland, a gas powered sub. The boat had cost $236,615 to build, but the company viewed it as a loss-leader. The Navy ordered another submarine.

The USS Holland was commissioned on 12 October 1900.  LT Caldwell Commanding!

In 1909 the Electric Boat company begins building the first diesel powered Submarine!  These are
first F and E class subs! 

The Navy purchased a set of plans from the Italian designer Laurenti. Not a good move! While the Laurentis had some advanced features, they were difficult to build and awkward in service.

5 March 1915, the first submarine was lost at sea with no survivors.  It was the USS F-4.

19 June 1916, Atlantic Fleet was Established.  On 29 August, the construction of 68
submarines was authorized by Congress!

January 1917 "Sub" school was established in Connecticut!  On April14, the USS L-4 goes on the FIRST submarine
war patrol.  28 June Pacific Fleet Sub Force was established!

1918 was the year the first torpedo attack on an enemy.

1 September 1920 the USS S-5 sinks.  The crew escapes through a hole 2 days later.

15 August 1930 the first escape training tank is in place at Sub base New Londan.

1933 Sonar is developed.  27 October the USS Porpoise has the first electric drive and high speed diesel engine!    

1935 Air conditioning was added

1941 Radar becomes operational!

August 1941, U-570 became the first – the only – submarine ever captured by an aircraft; under attack, she was forced to the surface and surrendered. An escort ship soon arrived and took over. U-570 was thus transferred to the Royal navy, and re-designated as "Graph," serving until being wrecked off the west coast of Scotland in March, 1944.

WWII results: American submarines sank at least 1300 Japanese ships, 5.3 million tons, including one battleship, eight carriers, eleven cruisers and 180 smaller warships. The U. S. Navy lost 52 boats; 22% of the submarine personnel who went on patrol did not return.

The first loon guided missile was launched by the USS Cusk.  On 20 January 1948 the USS Cusk is the first guided missiles submarine.

18 April 1949 the first Nuclear power submarine commences.  The keel laying for USS Tang.

1952 the "Tang" is the first of the post-war U. S. submarines, set an American depth record of 713 feet.

1953 there were a total of 110 diesel submarine!  Also the Submarine Fleet Reactor project was approved.

30 September 1954 the Nautilus is commissioned the first in the nuclear powered ships.

7 October 1955 the X-1powered by hydrogen peroxide first US midget sub placed in service.

23 December 1957 the USS Skate is commissioned.  The first sub powered by the submarine fleet reactor

30 December 1959 USS George Washington SSBN 598 is is commissioned.  On 20 July 1960 it fired 2 polaris A-1 missile total submerged.

2 August 1962 the first subs to the north pole to go under the ice and surface

6 December 1966 the USS Queenfish is commissioned the first of the Sturgeon class.

1968 there were 156 submarines, diesel and nuclear in the fleet

17 August 1968 the USS Dolphin AGSS 555, deep diving diesel power research and development sub, is commissioned.

One and only nuclear powered Deep diving Submarine NR-1 is launched, 27 October 1969.

1970 The first deep submergence rescue vehicle is launched.

13 November 1976 the USS Los Angeles is commissioned.  the first of a new class of submarines.

11 November 1981 USS Ohio is commissioned the first of the Trident class.

1987 The submarine force has 139 Submarines.  Three diesel and 136 nuclear.

6 August 1988 the USS San Juan is launched.  The first of the 688 (688I) class.

1 October 1990 the USS Blueback the last of the diesel powered submarine is decommissioned.

1997 the submarine force has a total of 91 nuclear power subs

1998 General Dynamic and Newport News start building the 774 class submarines. 

1999 USS Virginia keel laid, the lead ship of a new class of submarines.

2000 the Submarine force is 100 years old!

15 January 2007 the Worlds Deepest Diving Submarine USS Dolphin (AGSS-555) was decommissioned.



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[CCR]

I have been watching some sub stories on the Military Channel lately. Describes the different types, what they're for, and trying to get educated on them since I don't know much about subs.